HIV-infected Female Sex Workers High Risk Behavior and Attitude Changes in Kaiyuan City, Yunnan Province, China

Objective To investigate the attitude and sexual behavior status and change among HIV positive female workers in entertainment sites in Kaiyuan city, Yunnan province, China. The key information should be applied in the integrated intervention program in future. Methods A cohort survey among HIV positive female workers was conducted during 12 months, between 2010 and 2012. All the risk sexual behavior and attitude were collected for assessment for the potential secondary transmission to sexual partners. Results Of 99 HIV positive women who sell sex in Kaiyuan city, 99 participated in the survey at baseline, 80, 80, 75, and 75 at 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-ups. The percentage of participants who reported consistently used condoms in the last one month ranged between 94.5% and 95.5%. The client volume in the last one month, income per sex and age group were significant related with non-insistent condom use with their clients. Conclusion It was suggested that integrated intervention program package should include 100 percent condom use promotion for the HIV positive FSW with all sexual partners, and also, include socially support involved.

Effect of sex,temperature,time and flock size on the diving behavior of the wintering Scaly-sided Merganser(Mergus squamatus)

Background: The foraging and diving behavior of waterfowl are affected by a number of important factors. Hence, learning more about these major factors is of great concern in order to protect endangered species. In this study, we verified the effect of sex, temperature, time and flock size on the diving behavior of the Scaly-sided Merganser(Mergus squamatus).Methods: The study was conducted by means of focal animal sampling in the Wuyuan section of the Poyang Lake watershed in Jiangxi Province, China from December 2015 to March 2016. We used one-way ANOVA and LSD tests to investigate the differences among these factors. Pearson correlations were used to test the relation between pause duration and the previous or subsequent dive duration. The relations between these factors and dive/pause duration are illustrated using Spearman correlations.Results: Mean dive duration and mean time on the pause of males were significantly higher than those of females. With an increase in temperature, dive duration significantly increased. Along with the passage of time of year and daytime, dive duration significantly increased, while dive duration decreased significantly with the increase in flock size.Conclusions: Sex, temperature, time and flock size have an effect on the diving behavior of the wintering Scalysided Merganser. The difference of diving behavior between males and females is related to differences in body mass. The difference of diving behavior among various temperatures and time periods may be related to a low minimum rate of oxygen consumption, while the difference among various flock sizes may be caused by rising intraspecific competition.

Cognitive and Behavioral Effects of Participatory Sex Education on the Dual Prevention of STI/HIV/AIDS and Unwanted Pregnancies among Adolescents in Kinshasa High Schools, DR Congo

Context: With the view to reorient both STI/HIV/AIDS prevention and adolescents pregnancies, this research study aims at evaluating cognitive and behavioral acquisitions, as well as the process of interactive sex education participatory approach among adolescents in Kinshasa high schools. Methods: Based on a “pre and post” virtually experimental design, two crosswise surveys were conducted in Kinshasa, for six months in 2011-2012 on 484 high school students (pre-survey) and on 441 high school students (post-survey), whose age range from 14 - 19 years including both sexes. Two participatory educational talks (PET) “A” and “B”, covered weekly in two different schools, were compared to a control group school. The PET “A” consisted of interactive interpersonal communication sessions given by an external expert as a substitute for the life education course in one school. The PET “B” carried out in another school, included more educational talk sessions, led by the external expert and supplemented by a close follow-up of teenagers divided into small groups of 10 participants. The subjects’ assessment was based on their knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to STI/HIV/AIDS dual prevention as well as to unwanted pregnancies. Results: The subjects involved in the PET “B” displayed a better/higher performance based on their knowledge, attitudes and practices related to STI/HIV/AIDS dual prevention and unwanted pregnancies. Broadly speaking, knowledge has been improved 6 times with the PET “B” (OR = 6, 10, IC 95%) (3.24 - 11.9), and 3 times with the PET “A” (OR = 3, 45, IC 95%) (1.79 - 6.81), compared to control school. Similarly, findings on subjects’ attitudes show an improvement rated 12 times with the PET”B” (OR = 11, 99, IC 95%) (5.67 - 27.38) and 5 times for the PET “A” (OR = 5.51, IC 95%) (2.54 - 12.87). As far as the subjects’ practices are concerned, an improvement of 6 more times of protected sexual intercourses with the PET “B” compared with the control school group (OR = 6, 52, IC 95%) (3.60 - 12.0). The process assessment records a spontaneous involvement of schools enhanced by the positive contribution of Life Education and Biology teachers;add a massive participation of adolescents who requested permanent PET program. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that school sexual education programs can be improved to increase the quality of apprenticeship. The use of interactive methods and the consideration of the adolescents’ specific needs that take into account the gender approach may bring about beneficial advantages on both educational outcomes and reproductive health of adolescents.

Demographic and Sexual Behavior Characteristics of Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) Registered in a Targeted Intervention (TI) Program in India

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) contribute substantially to HIV prevalence in India. The targeted intervention (TI) program is the most important link between MSM and the public health system. Hence, we studied the demographic and sexual behavior characteristics of MSM registered in TI program in India. Methods: We used information maintained at TI sites under the program catering exclusively to MSM in India. Demographic characteristics and sexual behavior of MSM over the past two decades were also studied. Risk behaviors included type of partners, alcohol use, sexual acts per week, years of sex work and age at initiation of sex work. Bivariate analysis was carried out to understand the demographic determinants of sexual behavior. Results: In total, data of 6037 MSMs from 14 TI sites were analyzed. Of these 4655 (73.8%) were young adults (<35 years) and 2565 (40.8%) had completed their matriculation. More than half (55.4%) were married. Double-decker was identified as the most common sub-typology among MSM. Average age of initiation of sex was 23.0 years and average number of sexual acts per week was 6.8 (95% CI: 6.8 - 7.0). Irregular partners and alcohol use were observed in 30.5% and 52.8% of MSM respectively. Cohort analysis revealed a statistically significant declining trend in average age of initiation of sex over the past two decades. The sexual behavior of MSM varied significantly by employment status, education, marital status, state of residence, alcohol use and type of sex partner. Conclusion: MSMs registered with the TI program in India were mostly young, educated, and employed. Many MSM also had a history of heterosexual relationships, and thus had the potential of transmitting HIV infection to the otherwise low risk general population. This analysis supports the use of TI program data for understanding the demographic and sexual behavior characteristics of hard to reach and stigmatized population in society.

Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Risk Behavior, and Recent Substance Use in a Sample of Urban Drug Users: Findings by Race and Sex

The aim of the current study was to examine the prevalence of HIV, past six-month illicit drug use, and risk behaviors among a population of heavy drug users living in an urban setting. Although many studies investigate substance use, sex-risk behavior, and HIV by race and gender, no studies have examined these variables simultaneously. The current study seeks to fill this gap in the literature by exploring HIV prevalence among a predominantly heterosexual sample of recent substance users by injection drug use (IDU) status, race, and sex. Baseline data from the Baltimore site of the NEURO-HIV epidemiologic study was used in this study. This study examines neuropsychological and social-behavioral risk factors of HIV, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C among both injection and non-injection drug users. Descriptive statistics and chi-square statistics were used in data analyses. Blood and urine samples were obtained to test for the presence of recent drug use, viral hepatitis, HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Findings presented here have several important implications for HIV prevention and care among substance users. Intervention programs that incorporate substance use treatment in addition to HIV education, particularly with respect to substance use and sex risk behavior are imperative.

Risky Sexual Behavior and Its Determinants among Orphan and Vulnerable Children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Back Ground: Risky sexual behavior among orphans and vulnerable children and its associated physical, psychological and social consequences is becoming a major public health concern globally. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of risky sexual behavior and its determinants among orphan and vulnerable children in Addis Ababa. Methodology: A community based cross sectional study was conducted on three support and care giving organizations for orphans and vulnerable children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from March to June 2014. A total of 422 orphan and vulnerable children were selected using systematic sampling. Data were collected using pre tested self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to analyze the data. Result: A total of 407 (96.4%) respondents participated in this study. Among them 112 (27.5%) had sexual intercourse in their life time, of these 50 (44.6%) started sex before the age of 15, 94 (83.9%) had forced sex, 84 (75.0%) had multiple sexual partners, only 16 (14.3%) used condom the first time they had sex and 96 (85.7%) participated in transactional sex. Females were about 3.25 (2.67 - 7.3) times more likely to engage in risky sexual behavior than male respondents, double orphans had 4.32 (2.45 - 9.54) odds of risky sexual behavior compared to their counterparts. Those respondents who had knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention were less likely to be involved in risky sexual behavior 0.58 (0.41 - 0.93). Conclusion: Orphan and vulnerable children are at a higher likelihood of risky sexual behavior. Intervention targeted at multilevel such as orphan survival training, assertive communication skills, sexuality education and education about HIV risk perception, physical, psychological and human right protection, social support, and economic access for basic needs need to be given consideration.

STUDY ON HIV/STDS KNOWLEDGE AND RISK BEHAVIORS RELATED FACTORS AMONG FEMALE SEX WORKERS IN SHANGHAI,CHINA

Objective To assess the HIV/STDs knowledge and risk behaviors related factors among female sex workers(FSWs)in Shanghai,China.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 5 districts(including 3 suburbs and 2 urban districts).A total of 324 FSWs from 88 massage parlors and hair-beauty salons participated in the survey.An interviewer-administrated questionnaire was used to collect information.Results The average score of HIV/STDs knowledge was 15.2±3.9.Multivariate analyses indicated that limited education [odds ratio(OR):8.6,95% confidence interval(CI):2.9-25.6],coming from suburbs [odds ratio(OR):3.7,95% confidence interval(CI):2.0-6.8],monthly income less than 1500 RMB(220 US$)[odds ratio(OR):3.9,95% confidence interval(CI):1.9-8.1],without HIV/STDs-related education experience(OR:5.2,95% CI:2.8-9.5),and coming from provinces of low epidemic(OR:2.7,95% CI:1.1-6.6)were significant predictors of lower HIV/STDs knowledge.And 29.5% FSWs had sex without a condom when clients paid much more money,and 46.3% had the experience of condom broke or slipped during commercial sexual intercourse.Conclusion Health promotion should be conducted to enhance HIV/STDs knowledge and reduce risk behaviors among FSWs from suburbs with limited education in Shanghai especially.

Changes in sexual activity in young women during pregnancy

Objective:To conduct changes in sexual activity during pregnancy and its related factors in pregnant women.Methods:The present descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2017 on pregnant women who referred to the women's clinic of Afzalipour Hospital in the southeast of Iran.Participants were included in the study through convenient sampling.The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of two parts of personal social information of the couple and questions to measure the level of sexual activity and the attitude of the subjects during pregnancy compared to before pregnancy.Results:201 Pregnant women were included.The average age of pregnant women was(27.3±6.1)years and their average gestational age was(24.7±11.8)years.More than 62%of women had decreased sexual activity.There was a significant relationship between the amount of changes in sexual activity and delivery time(P=0.013),abortion history(P=0.001)and premature birth history(P=0.002).Most pregnant women believed that sex during pregnancy caused damage to the fetus(67.7%).A decrease in the intensity of sexual desire was reported in 63%of pregnant women.More than 60%of the subjects did not consult with doctors and midwives with regards to sexual issues(63.5%).The most common reason for not consulting was not feeling the need(32%).Most women experienced back pain during(42.8%)and after(39.8%)intercourse.Conclusions:Changes in sex life during pregnancy are often caused by the lack of sexual knowledge and the increase in misconceptions among couples,which can affect the quality of relationships.The role of education is essential.Therefore,it is suggested that by including sexual counseling along with pregnancy care,wrong beliefs and information among women will be corrected.

An Evaluation of STD/AIDS Health Education among Female Sex Workers in Entertainment Establishments in Jingjiang City

Objective: To explore effective ways of conducting STD/AIDS health education among female commercial sex workers in entertainment establishments and to promote implementation of an 100% condom use programme. Methods: In-depth interviews were carried out to collect qualitative information about demographic characteristics, STD/AIDS knowledge, attitude and risk behaviors of female sex workers. Female sex workers were selected by sampling and were given baseline survey and assessment after intervention. Based on the results of the interviews, a questionnaire was developed, and intervention measures were determined. These measures included face-to-face interviewing, counseling, and distribution of STD/AIDS information and condoms. Results: 196 and 182 female sex workers of the same population were interviewed separately before and after intervention. STDs/AIDS knowledge had significantly increased after one year's intervention (P <0.01). Knowledge increased in both the intervention group and the non-intervention group but the increase was more significant among sex workers who received the intervention. Risk behaviors remained at baseline levels in both groups. Conclusion: STD/AIDS health education among female sex workers in entertainment establishments was effective and may benefit society, but the strategies need to be adjusted to the female sex workers' lifestyles, particularly their high rates of mobility and high-risk behaviors.

Sexual and reproductive health service needs of university/ college students： updates from a survey in Shanghai, China

Aim： To promote the provision of reproductive health services to young people by exploring the attitudes and perceptions of university students in Shanghai, China, toward reproductive health. Methods： From July 2004 to May 2006, 5 243 students from 14 universities in Shanghai took part in our survey. Topics covered the demands of reproductive health-care services, attitudes towards and experience with sex, exposure to pornographic material, and knowledge on sexual health and sexually transmitted infections （STIs）/AIDS. Results： Of the 5 067 students who provided valid answer sheets, 50.05% were female and 49.95% were male, 14.86% were medical students, and 85.14% had non-medical backgrounds. A total of 38.4% of respondents had received reproductive health education previously. The majority of students supported school-based reproductive health education, and also acquired information about sex predominantly from books, schoolmates, and the Internet. Premarital sexual behavior was opposed by 17.7% of survey participants, and 37.5% could identify all the three types of STIs listed in the questionnaire. Although 83.7% knew how HIV is transmitted, only 55.7% knew when to use a condom and 57.8% knew that the use of condoms could reduce the risk of HIV infection. Conclusion： The reproductive health service is lagging behind current attitudes and demands of university students. Although students＇ attitudes towards sexual matters are liberal, their knowledge about reproductive health and STIs/AIDS is still limited. It is therefore necessary to provide effective and confidential reproductive health services to young people.

A larval specific OBP able to bind the major female sex pheromone component in Spodoptera exigua(Hübner)

Odorant binding proteins （OBPs） in insects are postulated to solubilize and transport the hydrophobic odorants across the hydrophilic antennal lymph to the olfactory receptors （ORs） located on the dendrite membrane of the sensory neurons. OBPs in adult insects have been intensively reported, but those in larvae are rarely addressed. In our study, a full-length OBP cDNA, namely SexiOBP13, was cloned by RT-PCR and RACE strategy from the heads of Spodoptera exigua larvae. The quantitative real-time PCR （qPCR） measurement indicated that SexiOBP13 was highly expressed in larval head, but very low in other parts of larva and was not detected in any tissues of adult. The binding affinities of SexiOBP13 to plant volatiles and female sex pheromone components were measured by competitive binding assays. Interestingly, SexiOBP13 displayed a high binding affinity （Ki=3.82 IJmol L-1） to Z9,E12-14：Ac, the major sex pheromone component of S. exigua, while low affinities to the tested host plant volatiles （Ki〉27 μmol L-l）. The behavioral tests further confirmed that Z9,E12-14：Ac was indeed active to elicit the behavioral activity of the third instar larvae of S. exigua. Taken together, our results suggest that SexiOBP13 may play a role in reception of female sex pheromone in S. exigua larvae. The ecological significance of the larvae preference to the adult female sex pheromone was discussed.

The Influence of Gonadectomy on Anxiolytic and Antidepressant Effects of Melatonin in Male and Female Wistar Rats: A Possible Implication of Sex Hormones

The main objective of this study was to analyze the effects of sex, ovariectomy (Ovx) and orchidectomy (Orx) on antidepressant and anxiolytic effect of melatonin in forced swimming test, open field test and elevated plus maze test. Initially, 4 mg/kg of melatonin was daily administered, at 4:00 pm, to intact male and female rats during 8 weeks. Our results have shown that the effect of chronic injection of Mel is sex dependent in the three behaviors tests. Females rats have responded better than males in behavior test study after administration of melatonin, this difference between the sexes may be related to the action of sex hormones (androgens and estrogens) on behavior in males as well as in females. Secondly, to determine the possible interaction between Melatonin and steroid hormones, Ovx/sham female received Mel at dose of 4mg/kg alone or NaCl (0.9%) alone, and Orx/sham male received Mel at dose of 4 mg/kg alone or NaCl (0.9%) alone daily and during 8 weeks of treatment at 4:00 pm. All animals were tested in the open-field test, elevated plus maze test for anxiety behavior study, and forced swimming test for depression behavior study. Results revealed that Mel exerts an anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in the orchidectomized males and in intact females, confirming that the suppression of androgens by orchidectomy improved anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of melatonin in males. However in females, the suppression of estrogen by ovariectomy masked the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of melatonin. Our results confirmed that the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of melatonin are linked to sex hormones.

Pinealectomy and Exogenous Melatonin Regulate Anxiety-Like and Depressive-Like Behaviors in Male and Female Wistar Rats

The main objective of this work was to 1) study the influence of endogenous melatonin (Mel) abolishment via pinealectomy and 2) explore exogenous Mel effect on anxiety-like and depressive-like behavior in male and female rats. Rats were shamoperated (Sh) or pinealectomized (Px) and following subgroups were selected 1) Px/NaCl (0.9%) and Sh/NaCl (0.9%) : rats injected subcutaneously, once daily for 8 weeks, with saline solution NaCl (0.9%) as vehicle;2) Px/Mel (4 mg/Kg) and Sh/Mel (4 mg/Kg): Rats similarly injected with 4 mg/Kg of Mel. All animals were housed under a photoperiod of (LD:16/8). After different treatments animals were tested in the open-field test (OFT), elevated plus maze test (EPM) to determine anxiety-like behavior, and forced swimming test (FST) to evaluate depressive-like level. Our results revealed that level of anxiety-like and depressive-like behavior are significantly higher in Px/NaCl (0.9%) when compared to Sh/NaCl (0.9%) group, suggesting that pinelectomy induced an anxiogenic and depressant effects. The Px effects would be due to the absence of endogenous Mel synthesis and release. Additionally, we clearly demonstrated that the level of anxiety-like and depressive-like behavior are higher in Px/Mel (4 mg/Kg) and Sh/Mel when compared respectively to Px/NaCl (4 mg/Kg) and Sh/NaCl groups suggesting an anxiolytic and antidepressant effects of exogenous Mel. Behavioral responses were sex dependent since the difference between females and males, especially, after melatonin administration, were statistically significant. These experiments provide evidence that pinealectomy and Mel regulated emotionally behavior in male and female rats.

A survey of HIV infection and related high-risk factors among men who have sex with men in Suzhou,Jiangsu,China

A cross-sectional study using the snowball sampling method was conducted in May 2008 to investigate human immunodeficiency virus （HIV） infection status and related high risk factors among men who have sex with men （MSM） in Suzhou city of Jiangsu province. The researchers carried out a face-to-face questionnaire interview among MSM, and collected their blood samples to test for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases （STDs）. Among the 280 respondents, 91.1% had homosexual acts in the past 6 months and 87.5% had multiple homosex- ual partners; 46.4% had heterosexual sex in the past 6 months and 33.1% had multiple heterosexual partners. The rate of continued condom use was 44.3% in homosexual sex in the past 6 months, while the rate in heterosexual sex was 33.9%. Laboratory test results showed that the prevalences of HIV and syphilis were 7.1% （20/280） and 15.0% （42/280）, respectively, but no HCV-positive person was found. In the multivariate logistic regression model, subjects with a monthly income of more than RMB $ 1,000 （OR=4.83,95% CI=1.44-16.22）, subjects who often went to bars for sexual partners （OR=2.25, 95%CI=1.21-4.20）, and subjects who had more than one sexual partner in the past 6 months （OR=0.49, 95%CI=0.25-0.97） and had sex with fixed sexual partners in the past 6 months （OR=0.42, 95%CI=0.25-0.75） were significantly associated with the rate of continued condom use in homosexual sex in the past 6 months. Unprotected sex and multiple sexual partners were more common among MSM in Suzhou city; furthermore, the prevalences of HIV infection and syphilis were relatively high. HIV preventive measures should be designed to address these risk factors and control the spread of HIV among MSM.

No pain, no social gains:A social-signaling perspective of human pain behaviors

In this review article, we describe a social-signaling perspective of human pain and pain empathizing behaviors which is based on the premise that pain percepts evolved to serve both intrapersonal as well as interpersonal, communicative functions. This perspective offers a generative framework for understanding the natural origin and proximate expression of felt pain and pain empathizing behaviors. The basic thesis is that humans evolved sensory-behavioral heuristics for perceiving and inhibiting exogenous and endogenous pain sensations as part of more general expressive styles characterized by the demonstration of vulnerability gestures(i.e., trustworthiness cues) versus empowerment gestures(i.e., capacity cues), and these styles ultimately facilitate broader selfprotection and social novelty-seeking life-history behavior strategies, respectively. We review the extant literature on how social contextual factors(e.g., audience characteristics) and how structural and functional components of individual's social network appear to influence the expression of pain behaviors in ways that support basic predictions from the social-signaling perspective. We also show how the perspective can be used to interpret conventional findings of sex differences in pain percepts and pain empathizing behaviors and for predicting how the situational context and individual's peer networks modulate these differences in vitro and in vitro. We conclude the article by describing how pain researchers may better understand how varying levels and divergent directions of changes in affect tend to co-occur with systematic changes in internal vs external pain sensitivities, and thus why, from an evolutionary perspective, pain may occur in the presence and absence of physical tissue damage.

Effect of electromagnetic field exposure on spermatogenesis and sexual activity

Dear Sir, We read with interest the paper by Lee et al. [1].They reported that continuous exposure to an electro-magnetic field with extremely low frequency may in-duce testicular germ cell apoptosis in mice. Our group performed a series of experiments on theeffect of exposure to an electrostatic field on spermato-genesis alld sexual activity[2-7].Polyester(polyethyleneterphthalate)exhibited electrostatic potentials [ESPs] in

Interleukin-18 levels in the hippocampus and behavior of adult rat offspring exposed to prenatal restraint stress during early and late pregnancy

Exposure to maternal stress during prenatal life is associated with an increased risk of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression and anxiety, in offspring. It has also been increasingly observed that prenatal stress alters the phenotype of offspring via immunological mechanisms and that immunological dysfunction, such as elevated interleukin-18 levels, has been reported in cultures of microglia. Prenatal restraint stress(PRS) in rats permits direct experimental investigation of the link between prenatal stress and adverse outcomes. However, the majority of studies have focused on the consequences of PRS delivered in the second half of pregnancy, while the effects of early prenatal stress have rarely been examined. Therefore, pregnant rats were subjected to PRS during early/middle and late gestation(days 8–14 and 15–21, respectively). PRS comprised restraint in a round plastic transparent cylinder under bright light(6500 lx) three times per day for 45 minutes. Differences in interleukin-18 expression in the hippocampus and in behavior were compared between offspring rats and control rats on postnatal day 75. We found that adult male offspring exposed to PRS during their late prenatal periods had higher levels of anxiety-related behavior and depression than control rats, and both male and female offspring exhibited higher levels of depression-related behavior, impaired recognition memory and diminished exploration of novel objects. Moreover, an elevated level of interleukin-18 was observed in the dorsal and ventral hippocampus of male and female early-and late-PRS offspring rats. The results indicate that PRS can cause anxiety and depression-related behaviors in adult offspring and affect the expression of interleukin-18 in the hippocampus. Thus, behavior and the molecular biology of the brain are affected by the timing of PRS exposure and the sex of the offspring. All experiments were approved by the Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee at Kunming Medical University, China(approval No. KMMU2019074) in January 2019.

Assessment of Effect of Peer Pressure and Mass Media on Secondary School Students Involvement in Premarital Sex in Anambra State of Nigeria

Pre-marital sex among secondary school adolescents has been identified to be on the increase worldwide. Adolescents are susceptible to peer pressure. This study was conducted to determine the effect of peer group pressure and mass media on the prevalence of pre-marital sex among secondary school adolescents in Anambra State of Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among secondary school adolescents in Anambra State. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured, self-administered questionnaire. Respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique. The instrument used for data collection in the study was the Secondary Student Sex Variables Questionnaire (SSSVQ) which was constructed by the researchers. Students who had medium extent exposure to mass media or more (≥ ME) were 3 times or less (≤ LE)[or: 3.153,(CI: 2.270-4.380)]. Respondents who had medium extent exposure to peer pressure or more (≥ ME) were twice more likely to engage in pre-marital sex than those who had low extent exposure or less (≤ LE)[or: 2.240,(CI: 1.601-3.134), p = 0.030]. This study revealed that the prevalence of pre-marital sex among secondary school students in Anambra State was high. It is concluded that the peer pressure and exposure to mass media influenced pre-marital sex and it was recommended that family health education should be intensified in secondary schools to enable the students understand problems of pre-marital sex.

水生甲壳动物性外激素研究现状与发展方向

性外激素参与水生甲壳动物交配前识别与配偶选择。了解水生甲壳动物性外激素的化学特性对于解析其繁殖过程中化学通讯机理至关重要。对于蜕壳交配的物种而言,分析其交配和蜕壳阶段分泌的化学物质将有助于解读水生甲壳动物性外激素的演化。水生甲壳动物性外激素分为距离性外激素和接触性外激素两种,前者为水溶性的化合物;后者不溶于水,存在于甲壳动物体表。近年来,尿苷-5’-三磷酸,尿苷-5’-二磷酸和N-乙酰基-氨基-1,5-葡糖胺被认为是十足目甲壳动物距离性外激素的主要组分,而接触性外激素则由亲脂性碳氢化合物组成。近年来关于甲壳动物性外激素化学特性研究取得了长足发展,但仍存在需要突破的瓶颈。文章梳理了水生甲壳动物性外激素研究进展及未来研究方向,以期为研究水生甲壳动物性外激素提供参考。

浙江省某地区职业高中学生性安全知识、性态度与性行为研究

目的开展职高学生性安全知识、性态度、性行为调查,为科学、有效地在这一人群中开展性安全教育和服务提供科学依据。方法2021年在浙江省中部地区某区1所职业高中一至二年级学生开展自答式问卷调查。结果1960名学生参加调查,职高学生性安全知识掌握水平总体不足,知晓男男性行为是学生HIV感染主要传播途径的不到1/4。男生较女生性态度更为开放,同意高中生发生性行为、为了钱而与别人发生性关系、为发生性关系付钱的男生分别为17.80%、7.10%、7.67%。8.49%的男生、4.22%的女生发生性行为,其中1/3发生在初中或小学,近60%的男生和女生报告口交性行为,男生和女生报告肛交性行为发生比例分别为14.08%和25.00%,2个及以上性伴数分别为36.47%和22.58%,每次使用安全套分别仅为33.72%和50.00%;男生中,11.24%发生同性或双性性行为,15.91%报告通过网络寻找性伴发生性行为。结论调查对象安全性行为知识水平低,性态度较为开发。发生性行为的学生中,口交、肛交、多性伴、同性性伴、网络性伴发生率高,但坚持使用安全套比例低,这些均将职高学生置于性与生殖健康风险之中,需及时采取针对性的健康干预措施,减少危险性行为发生和不良性与生殖健康结局。