International Journal of Sexual Health最新文献

{"title":"A Comparative Study on Personality Traits, Temperament, and Interpersonal Attitudes: Fertile vs Infertile Couples.","authors":"Debasruti Ghosh, Shashi Darolia, Saurabh Raj","doi":"10.1080/19317611.2025.2556782","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19317611.2025.2556782","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Parenthood is a significant life transition, providing couples with a new identity. However, as they work to develop this identity, infertile couples may encounter difficulties related to their sexual and mental well-being. Couples with and without children have different relationship perspectives based on a number of personality traits and interpersonal attitudes. When taking into account the relationship viewpoint in the context of infertility, such factors that affect intimacy, communication, and sexual satisfaction, may be extremely significant. This study explores the differences in personality, temperament, and interpersonal attitudes between couples with and without infertility.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>The present investigation employed a nonequivalent comparison group design and included 408 participants (102 infertile couples and 102 fertile couples) drawn from two districts in Bihar, India. The recruitment of participants was made through purposive sampling method. The couples completed the Eyesenck Personality Questionnaire- S, Formal Characteristics of Behavior Temperament Inventory, and Sack's Sentence Completion Test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results reveal that infertile couples group scored significantly higher on neuroticism and psychoticism trait. Further, infertile group scored significantly higher on sensory sensitivity temperament pattern. Additionally, the infertile couples experience significantly greater conflict in family, sexual, interpersonal and self-area.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Couples going through infertility may be more susceptible to experiencing negative emotions. They may have disturbed family relationships, sexual conflicts, and a poor sense of self-worth in comparison to couples who have achieved parenthood. However, further research is needed to explore the directionality of these associations, as it is also possible that preexisting emotional or relational difficulties contribute to challenges in achieving parenthood.</p>","PeriodicalId":46855,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sexual Health","volume":"37 4","pages":"785-796"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12867377/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146120591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Non-Medical Gender Affirming Practices Among Transgender Individuals: A Systematic Review on the Health Implications of Chest Binding and Genital Tucking.","authors":"Thanapob Bumphenkiatikul, Theeradon Sakpetch, Pakin Sungnuch, Xi Huang, Somboon Hataiyusuk, Sorawit Wainipitapong","doi":"10.1080/19317611.2025.2560416","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19317611.2025.2560416","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This systematic review describes health implications of two non-medical gender affirming practices: chest binding and genital tucking.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In January 2024, three databases (MEDLINE, Embase, and APA PsycINFO) were systematically searched using two comprehensive search terms related to: (1) chest binding or genital tucking, and (2) transgender people. Publications not in English, non-peer reviewed, insufficient data, and any forms of reviews were excluded. A manual search of relevant reviews and references was additionally done for additional resources. An updated search was done in July 2024. This systematic review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024500400) and followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This review included 18 studies (11 on chest binding, 7 on genital tucking) with a total of 3,235 participants. Negative implications were frequently reported, including dermatological issues, pain, hyperprolactinemia, breathing difficulties, testicular torsion, and poorer semen quality. However, some studies also found positive effects on dysphoria, life satisfaction, and mental health. Several studies highlighted lack of knowledge among healthcare providers about these practices.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Chest binding and genital tucking have complicated tradeoffs between physical health risks and potential psychological benefits of reduced dysphoria. Further research is needed, especially on long-term effects, safer methods, and promoting education to build a supportive healthcare environment.</p>","PeriodicalId":46855,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sexual Health","volume":"38 1","pages":"15-29"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13094241/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147785393","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Experiences of Stealth Breeding and Associated Factors to HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Seek Among Gay Men in Brazil.","authors":"Wendell Ferrari, Pedro Alexandre Costa, Marcos Nascimento","doi":"10.1080/19317611.2025.2556789","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19317611.2025.2556789","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Stealth breeding is the act in which a man, without the consent of their partner, removes the condom during sexual intercourse, breaking the previously established agreement and configuring an unprotected sexual relationship. The evolution of cases of infection by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains worrying for public health, with prevention considered the only strategy for its control, especially with emphasis on Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) after an episode of sexual violence. Our goal was to analyze the stealth breeding experiences from the victims' perspectives and the associated factors with seeking PEP among gay men who experienced stealth breeding in Brazil.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This quantitative study followed the conceptual references of intersectionality, health care, and masculinities. In total, a diverse sample of 601 gay cisgender men, all of whom suffered from a stealth breeding experience, from all regions of Brazil, aged between 18 and 61 years, responded to an online survey in 2023.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From this sample, 421 sought PEP after the experience, and 180 did not; Over 50% reported becoming infected with an STI. A multinomial logistic regression revealed that those who were victimized by a casual sex partner and those who disclosed the experience to others showed higher odds of seeking PEP in the aftermath of the stealth breeding.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>We concluded that stealth breeding is a reality in Brazil among gay men, which should generate more discussions about sexual violence among gay men and reduce the overall societal stigma that prevents them from seeking help and more emotional support, as well as seeking PEP after an episode of sexual violence.</p>","PeriodicalId":46855,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sexual Health","volume":"38 1","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13094267/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147785323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Narrative Review of Sexual Aggression Perpetration in Non-Heterosexual Populations: Prevalence and Risk Factors.","authors":"Lauren Smith, Neil Gleason, Elizabeth C Neilson, William George","doi":"10.1080/19317611.2025.2553095","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19317611.2025.2553095","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sexual aggression (SA) perpetration poses a significant threat to public health and safety. Despite increased attention toward prevention of SA perpetration, empirical research and prevention programming have focused primarily on perpetration by cisgender men against cisgender women. This heteronormative framework neglects the needs of non-heterosexual populations who experience elevated rates of SA victimization and likely compounds existing inequities in mental health outcomes and access to care.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To address this critical gap, this study presents a narrative review of the quantitative literature on SA perpetration in non-heterosexual populations.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>This narrative review identified seven quantitative studies on SA perpetration in LGBQ populations and (a) describes the methodology across studies, (b) describes the demographics across studies, and (c) summarizes prevalence rates and risk factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There was a reasonable degree of consistency in the studies' measurement of SA perpetration. Differences included the specific measure, victim gender, and classification systems for SA. The samples identified were exclusively from wealthy, Western, industrialized nations and were predominantly White. Perpetration rates varied by gender and sexual orientation and classification system. Identified risk factors included variables related to early adverse events, sexuality and gender roles, aggression, and substance use.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Findings demonstrate that SA perpetration is not a public health problem exclusive to heterosexual individuals and that LGB populations would benefit from the development of etiological models and evidence-based intervention. Future research should attempt to replicate and extend findings, particularly among more diverse samples.</p>","PeriodicalId":46855,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sexual Health","volume":"37 4","pages":"760-770"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12867438/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146120681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sexual Functioning and Eating Disorder Symptoms: Examining the Role of Gender and Internalizing Symptoms in an Undergraduate Population.","authors":"Maegan B Nation, Shane W Kraus, Melanie Garcia, Nicholas C Borgogna, Kara A Christensen Pacella","doi":"10.1080/19317611.2025.2553850","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19317611.2025.2553850","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Eating disorders (EDs) are frequently associated with sexual dysfunction; however, research has not tested this relationship while adjusting for the known effects of anxiety and depression on sexual functioning. Furthermore, there is a notable lack of research on sexual functioning problems and ED symptoms among men.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>Undergraduate cisgender women (<i>n</i> = 1488) and men (<i>n</i> = 646) completed measures of ED psychopathology and sexual functioning problems. Hierarchical linear regressions predicting sexual functioning problems were conducted separately by gender including BMI, age, sexual attraction, anxiety and depression symptoms in Step 1 and an ED psychopathology variable (e.g., global score, dietary restraint, preoccupation and eating concern, or shape/weight overvaluation) in Step 2.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>For women, changes in proportion of the variance in sexual functioning problems when adding global score, dietary restraint, and preoccupation and eating concern to the models were statistically significant, but effect sizes were very small. Change in variance when adding weight and shape overvaluation was not significant. For men, all ED psychopathology variables accounted for significant, but small, changes in the proportion of variance in sexual functioning problems.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Sexual functioning problems observed in women may be better explained by depressive symptomology, as variance explained by ED variables, while statistically significant, was small and likely of lower clinical relevance. Sexual functioning problems in men may be minorly influenced by ED psychopathology, independent of depression and anxiety symptoms. Results suggest the importance of screening for sexual functioning problems and developing interventions that target potential mechanisms related to psychopathology.</p>","PeriodicalId":46855,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sexual Health","volume":"37 4","pages":"771-784"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12867417/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146120471","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Sexual Health in Menopause: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Eslem Altıntaş, Güzin Ünlü Suvari, Ümran Oskay","doi":"10.1080/19317611.2025.2546906","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19317611.2025.2546906","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Menopausal women often experience changes in sexual function, including reduced desire, arousal difficulties, and increased sexual distress, which can impact their overall well-being. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have emerged as a potential approach to enhancing sexual function and reducing distress, yet their effectiveness remains uncertain. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effects of MBIs on sexual function, desire, arousal, sexual distress, and satisfaction in menopausal women.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We searched Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published up to February 2025. Studies were included if they evaluated the effects of MBIs on sexual function outcomes in menopausal women. In total, seven RCTs, involving 609 participants from the United States, Iran, India, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong, met the inclusion criteria. Intervention durations ranged from 8 to 12 weeks, with various validated measures used to assess sexual function and related outcomes. Study quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mindfulness demonstrated positive effects on sexual desire, arousal, and sexual distress in menopausal women. A significant reduction in sexual distress was consistently reported across studies. However, the effects on overall sexual function varied, with some studies showing improvements in satisfaction while others reported inconsistent findings. The heterogeneity in study design, intervention types, and outcome measures contributed to variations in reported effects.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Mindfulness appears to be beneficial in reducing sexual distress and improving aspects of sexual function in menopausal women. However, the variability in study outcomes highlights the need for further high-quality, standardized research to determine the long-term effectiveness and clinical applicability of these interventions. Given the increasing interest in nonpharmacological strategies for menopause-related health concerns, mindfulness may offer a promising complementary approach for sexual well-being in this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":46855,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sexual Health","volume":"37 4","pages":"683-694"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12867390/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146119562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Role of Attachment, Childhood Traumatic Experiences and Gender in Men and Women with Compulsive Sexual Behavior Symptoms.","authors":"Laura I Kürbitz, Johanna Schröder, Peer Briken","doi":"10.1080/19317611.2025.2548010","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19317611.2025.2548010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Research on the association of childhood traumatic experiences and attachment styles with symptoms of Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) so far showed inhomogeneous results. This study aims to investigate the associations of these factors and their interaction with gender.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Within a cross-sectional study design, we collected a German convenience sample (<i>n</i> = 154, 73.4% women) online and tested the association of attachment style (Experiences in Close Relationships Revised, ECR-R), childhood traumatic experiences (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, CTQ), gender as predictor variables and CSBD symptoms (CSBD-19) as outcome in a linear regression analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance were associated with CSBD symptoms in both genders. Women, but not men, who reported more pronounced childhood traumatic experiences, especially for the subscale of physical neglect in childhood, also reported more severe CSBD symptoms.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results have implications for psychotherapy with individuals presenting with CSBD symptoms.</p>","PeriodicalId":46855,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sexual Health","volume":"37 4","pages":"695-710"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12867395/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146120518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"High-Risk Sexual Behaviors and Health Services Needs Among Bisexual Men in Peru: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Giovani G Díaz, Yordanis Enriquez Canto, Donald R Gerke, Luis A Menacho","doi":"10.1080/19317611.2025.2548382","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19317611.2025.2548382","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This study aims to describe sexual behaviors and access to health care services among self-identified bisexual men and to examine differences between those who reported recent sexual intercourse with a woman (MSMW) and those who did not (MSM).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a cross-sectional study with 560 self-reported bisexual men who responded to a semi-structured survey. Those who reported having intercourse with a woman in the year prior to the survey were classified as MSMW.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>MSMW behavior (48.9%) was associated with being 36 years or older and engaging in sexual intercourse under the influence of alcohol (OR: 2.90, 95% CI: 1.65 - 5.10, p < 0.01; OR: 3.33, 95% CI: 2.13 - 5.21, p < 0.01; respectively). Conversely, MSM behavior was significantly associated with self-reporting HIV positive status and engaging in unprotected anal intercourse with any male sexual partner (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.19 - 0.95, p: 0.037; OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.46-1.02, p: 0.04; respectively).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Bisexual self-identification does not necessarily correlate with intercourse with both men and women. Instead, it relates to various psychosocial factors that result in distinct behavioral patterns and health needs. It is crucial to develop prevention strategies targeting bisexual men, considering their limited access to health services, sociodemographic characteristics, and the prevalence of high-risk sexual behaviors.</p>","PeriodicalId":46855,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sexual Health","volume":"37 4","pages":"722-733"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12867367/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146119786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Digital Health Intervention on Healthy Behaviors Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China Based on Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model: An Exploratory Real-World Study.","authors":"Zhenwei Dai, Xin Liu, Xiaoyang Liu, Shu Jing, Fei Yu, Guodong Mi, Jiaqi Fu, Shenglan Tang, Xiaoyou Su","doi":"10.1080/19317611.2025.2547308","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19317611.2025.2547308","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Men who have sex with men (MSM) remain significantly affected by HIV/AIDS due to high-risk sexual behaviors. The adoption rate of preventive measures like pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use and HIV testing among MSM is insufficient in China, which requires more effective prevention strategies.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of an Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model-based digital health intervention in promoting healthy behaviors and reducing high-risk activities among MSM in China.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A real-world exploratory study in a naturalistic setting without strict control over participants' daily behaviors was conducted using the Blued platform (a popular online geosocial networking platform in China) to deliver the self-developed IMB-based intervention materials to MSM in 3 cities in China, with 3 additional cities as the controls. A questionnaire including items on healthy behavior adoption was administered pre- and post-intervention and finally generated an unmatched pseudo-panel dataset. Multiple logistic regression, linear regression, and structural equation modeling analyses were used to examine the association between the IMB model and outcomes. The χ² test, Fisher's exact test, and two-sample independent t-test were utilized to identify potential confounders for further adjustment, and were applied in both the intention-to-treat (ITT) and as-treated (AT) analyses to explore the effectiveness of the intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Post-intervention, the intervention group showed a significant increase in HIV testing rates and PrEP awareness compared to the control group. The willingness to use oral PrEP was also improved. The intervention materials were favorably received, with most of the MSM perceiving the form and content of these materials as useful and attractive.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The IMB model-based digital health intervention effectively increased HIV testing rates and PrEP awareness among MSM. The high acceptance of the intervention materials suggests that such digital platforms can be a cost-effective strategy for HIV prevention in hard-to-reach populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":46855,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sexual Health","volume":"37 4","pages":"662-682"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12867449/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146120705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and Correlates of Sexual Intercourse Among Adolescents in Post-Communist Albania.","authors":"Iris Mone, Myzafer Kaçaj, Gentiana Qirjako, Enver Roshi, Genc Burazeri","doi":"10.1080/19317611.2025.2548383","DOIUrl":"10.1080/19317611.2025.2548383","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>We aimed to investigate the prevalence and correlates of sexual intercourse among adolescents in post-communist Albania.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The data used in this study was the Albanian Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey conducted in 2022. The current analysis included 1839 schoolchildren aged 15 years who reported on sexual intercourse (about 55% girls). Data on sociodemographic characteristics, family and peer support, behavioral factors, health complaints, and child maltreatment were also collected. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association of lifetime sexual intercourse with correlates.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of lifetime sexual intercourse was approximately18%. It was around 34% in boys vs. about 4% in girls. Also, sexual intercourse was more prevalent among: adolescents residing in urban areas, those from more affluent families, adolescents who reported lifetime smoking, alcohol consumption and particularly drunkenness, those without a high family support, adolescents who reported witnessing of family violence and especially those who reported lifetime sexual abuse. In gender-pooled models where all variables were adjusted for each other, positive independent correlates of lifetime sexual intercourse included: being boy (OR = 12.6, 95%CI = 8.4-19.1), family affluence (OR = 1.4, 95%CI = 1.0-2.0), lifetime smoking (OR = 1.9, 95%CI = 1.3-2.7), lifetime drunkenness (OR = 2.3, 95%CI = 1.6-3.3) and lifetime sexual abuse (OR = 8.1, 95%CI = 3.9-16.9). Sexual abuse and smoking were consistent correlates (in both genders), in addition to family affluence and drunkenness (in boys only), and adequate exercise and witnessed family violence (in girls only).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There is a significant gender difference in the prevalence and correlates of lifetime sexual intercourse among Albanian adolescents. Targeted interventions should promote healthy behaviors and enhance sexual health education in Albania and similar transitional countries, where youths may face unique challenges in adopting healthy sexual behaviors.</p>","PeriodicalId":46855,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Sexual Health","volume":"37 4","pages":"746-759"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-08-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12867428/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146120477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}