Is There an Early 30s Peak in Female Sexual Desire? Cross-Sectional Evidence from the United States and Canada.
David P. Schmitt, Bradley University, Todd K. Shackelford, Florida Atlantic University, Joshua Duntley, University of Texas at Austin, William Tooke, State University of New York at plattsburgh, David M. Buss, University of Texas at Austin, Maryanne L. Fisher, York University, Marguerite Lavallee, Universite Laval, and Paul Vasey, University of Lethbridge.

This research explored whether women experience a "sexual peak" during their early 30s and, if so, whether such a peak might have an evolved function. In Study 1, results from a cross-sectional sample of college students from the United States (N = 803 women, 415 men) revealed that women between 30 and 34, relative to older and younger women, described themselves as more lustful, seductive, and sexually active. In contrast, men did not experience a sexual peak between 30 and 34. In a second study (N = 611 women, 329 men), findings of an early-30s peak in women were replicated among married and single individuals from Canada. Using new measures of human sexual strategies (Schmitt & Buss, 2000), the authors were able to test 2 hypotheses about the possible functions of an early 30s peak in female sexual desire. One hypothesis is that an early-30s peak increases reproduction in monogamous, long-term relationships. A second hypothesis is that women's early-30s peak in sexual desire increases reproduction through promiscuous or extra-pair copulations. Overall, the hypothesis that the peak is designed to increase women's reproduction in monogamous, long-term relationships received the most support. Discussion focuses on limitations and alternative explanations of the current findings and on areas for future investigation. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2002; 11: 1-18).

Sexual Health Education at School and at Home: Attitudes and Experiences of New Brunswick Parents.
Angela D. Weaver, E. Sandra Byers, Heather A. Sears, Jacqueline N. Cohen, and Hilary Randall, University of New Brunswick.

This study examined the attitudes and experiences of New Brunswick parents regarding sexual health education (SHE) at school and at home. Over 4200 parents with children in grades K-8 in 30 New Brunswick schools completed surveys. Ninety-four percent of parents agreed that SHE should be provided in school and 95% felt that it should begin in elementary (65%) or middle school (32%), although there was not consensus on what grade level various topics should be introduced. The majority of parents supported the inclusion of a broad range of sexual health topics at some point in the curriculum, including topics often considered controversial such as homosexuality and masturbation. Although parents indicated that they wish to be involved in their child's SHE, most of them had not discussed any of the range of SHE topics in a lot of detail with their child. Parents also indicated that they want more information from schools about the SHE curriculum, about sexuality in general, and about communication strategies to assist them in providing education at home. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2002; 11: 19-32).

Sexual Desire and Practice among People Living with HIV and using Combination Anti-Retroviral Therapies.
Eleanor Maticka-Tyndale, Barry D. Adam, University of Windsor, and Jeffrey Cohen, Windsor Regional Hospital.

This paper describes the experiences with sexual intimacy in sample of people living with HIV or AIDS (PHAs) and using combination anti-retroviral therapies (CTs). Results were based on semi-structured, in depth interviews with 31 men and 4 women living in Canada, in 1999-2000. Struggles with persistent absence of libido, dealing with disclosure, negotiating ongoing "safety" for self and partners, and dealing with symptoms of HIV and side effects of therapies within the context of sexual intimacy represent the diversity of concerns expressed by study participants. The results of this study alert clinicians and counsellors working with PHAs to areas where quality of life can be improved. Sexual intimacy should not be considered an "optional" matter for PHAs. Whether through varying drugs or doses, or through working with sex therapists and counsellors, improving sexual satisfaction among PHAs deserves attention. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2002; 11: 33-40)

A Validation Study of the AIDS Health Belief Scale.
Donald J. Scandell, Southern Illinois University and Brian Wlazelek, Kutztown University.

Recently, Zagumny and Brady (1998) developed a scale to measure the four components of the Health Belief Model as applied to HIV risk-behaviours. The current research examined the discriminant, convergent, and criterion-related validity of the AIDS Health Belief Scale (AHBS). Eighty-six men and 103 women participants were randomly assigned to either interview or self-administration conditions to complete the following measures: the AHBS, a Sexual Behaviour Questionnaire, the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding, and the Condom Attitude Scale-Adolescent Version. The current findings resulted in mixed impressions of the psychometric properties and validity for the AHBS. In support of the AHBS, the measure was found to share significant variance with the Condom Attitude Scale-Adolescent Version and was not contaminated by social desirability or affected by administration methodology (interview vs. self-administration). On the negative side, analyses indicated generally low levels of inter-item homogeneity on AHBS subscales and that the measure did not predict high-risk sexual behaviour in this college-student sample. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2002; 11: 41-49)