A Bidimensional Examination of Machismo in Relation to Risky Sexual Cognitions and Behavior among Latino College Men

Is there an association between gender stereotypes and sexual risk attitudes and behaviors? A population-based study among Peruvian adolescents

BACKGROUND

Adolescents, particularly those aged 14 to 15 y, often begin exploring their sexuality, during which time they are more vulnerable to traditional influences and ideologies imposed by society. This study aimed to identify the association between more traditional attitudes toward women and sexual risk attitudes and behaviors in Peruvian adolescents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cross-sectional study with data from the fifth round of the Young Lives study with 1860 adolescents aged 14 and 15 y. Population characteristics were described by relative frequencies and using chi-squared test with p-value. The 12 items of the Attitudes toward Women Scale for Adolescents instrument were analyzed by relative frequencies and mean with standard deviation. For further analysis, the values of the global scores of all participants were divided into two categories, using the median as the cutoff point, where the group with higher scores indicated that these adolescents had more traditional attitudes (or more gender stereotypes). More traditional attitudes were associated with sexual risk attitudes and behaviors, with crude prevalence ratio (PR) and then adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) with 95% CI. The Universidad Privada de Tacna's ethics committee approved the research protocol.

RESULTS

Adolescents with more traditional attitudes were more likely to have sexual risk attitudes compared to those with less traditional attitudes. In addition, adolescents with more traditional attitudes were 2.6 times more likely to have at least one sexual intercourse while drunk as compared to the reference group (95% CI: 1.43-4.74; p=0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of more traditional attitudes toward women was associated with sexual risk attitudes. However, there was no association with most of the sexual risk behaviors studied, except for the higher probability of having at least one sexual intercourse while drunk.

Cuban American Perspectives on Sexual Dysfunction Following Pelvic Radiotherapy: A Qualitative Study

Participation in sexual medicine research may depend on a patient's willingness to speak openly about sex, sexual function, or other sensitive topics. These topics may be difficult or uncomfortable to talk about, and this discomfort may be further amplified when a patient comes from a cultural background that stigmatizes open conversation about sex and sexuality. We used qualitative analysis to better understand the intersection between cultural identity, the experience of sexual dysfunction as a side-effect of pelvic radiotherapy, and willingness to communicate about sexual dysfunction with healthcare providers, in Cuban American women in Miami, Florida. Doing so, we found four unique themes among Cuban American participants regarding the intersection of national identity, Hispanic identity, Catholic religion, and their experience of radiotherapy-related sexual dysfunction: Marianismo, Machismo, Familismo, and Espiritismo. These themes, a reflection of the cohort's shared identity, were found to have an effect on participant views of sexual health, romantic relationships, coping strategies, and relative comfort discussing problems with intercourse. These cultural values served as barriers to openly discussing sexual dysfunction with not just medical providers and research teams but also their partners, families, and friends. In order to encourage Cuban American participation in sexual medicine studies, future research should evaluate strategies to overcome these barriers.

Infección de Amor (Infectious Love): Development and Acceptability of a Telenovela/Soap Opera Intervention for HIV Prevention For Latinas

Latinas continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV in the United States. Effective interventions to address HIV-related disparities among Latinas are available; however, they have not achieved widespread dissemination due to implementation challenges for real-world settings. A culturally tailored intervention that increases access to HIV prevention is urgently needed. The objective of this study was to develop a culturally tailored telenovela (i.e., a soap opera) to promote HIV prevention behaviors (condom use; HIV testing; and pre-exposure prophylaxis awareness, access, and use) among Latinas. The study was conducted in community organizations throughout South Florida. A total of 44 Spanish-speaking Latinas, 18-35 years old, and sexually active with a man in the past 6 months participated in the study. The final product was an HIV prevention telenovela that incorporated Latinas' ideas and feedback and was produced as four 10-minute filmed episodes. This study aimed to develop innovative approaches to reduce HIV-related disparities for Latinas.

The Mediating Role of Sexual Self-Efficacy on Protected Sex

BACKGROUND

Ascribed traditional gender role has rarely been examined in the topical area of protected sex.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between HIV knowledge, ascribed cultural gender roles of machismo and marianismo, acculturation, attitudes toward risky sexual behaviors and sexual self-efficacy on protected sex, and the mediating effect of sexual self-efficacy between these predictors and protected sex.

METHODS

Part of a larger study, Hispanic college students from a Hispanic-serving institution in a U.S. southern border city were recruited.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

Sexual self-efficacy was found a significant mitigating factor against sexual risks associated with machismo as well as a positive reinforcing element on attitudes toward protected sex. Study findings have implications toward the development of culturally sensitive evidence-based interventions that promote sexual self-efficacy skills among Hispanic males who strongly identify with culturally ascribed gender roles.