The Relationship of Sexual Health Education and Sexual Health Risk Behavioral Outcomes among Florida Teens

We examined the relationship between sexual health education and sexual health risk behavioral outcomes among adolescents in Florida using Youth Risk Behavior Survey data from 2001 to 2013. Sexual health risk behavioral outcomes (reported condom use and alcohol and/or drug use during last intercourse) were first examined as a function of sexual health education. Multiple logistic regression analysis was then used to adjust for individual characteristics and behavioral risk factors when associating sexual health education with sexual health risk behavioral outcomes. Reported condom use was strongly associated with sexual education. However, the impact of sexual education was attenuated after adjusting for individual characteristics and behavioral risk factors. Alcohol and/or drug use during last intercourse was strongly associated with behavioral risk factors: forced sex and being sad/hopeless. Those receiving sexual education were 44% less likely to use alcohol and/or drugs. The results may be of value to policy makers in helping to profile and target teens at risk for sexually transmitted infections. These findings have important sexual health education implications and shed light on the role that individual health behaviors play in the health outcomes of adolescents

Sexual Hookups via Dating Apps: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Experiences of Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in Florida

Background: Sexual hookups via social media dating apps have been understudied among Black men who have sex with men (BMSM). Purpose: The objective of this qualitative study was to explore the role of dating apps on hookup culture and to describe the sexual experiences among BMSM in Florida. Specifically, this research delves into various sexual hookup themes. Methods: Seventeen semi-structured interviews were conducted with BMSM participants aged 18 to 25 in Florida who self-identified as frequent dating app users. A grounded theory approach was applied to thematically analyze the hookup encounters and the factors that drive these perceptions and experiences among BMSM. QSR NVIVO 12 was used to code, categorize, and collect emergent themes. Results: Three major themes emerged depicting the complexities of hookup culture using social media dating applications among BMSM. 1. Positive hookup experiences were linked to feelings of “no strings attached” to some participants, while others associated this positive experience to the use of alcohol and drugs; 2. Negative hookup experiences revolved around miscommunication on sexual roles, catfishing, and disclosure of HIV status; 3. Psychological aspects of hookups were centered on feelings of regret, disbelief, and disgust after a sexual hookup encounter. Discussion: Understanding BMSM hookup culture could aid in the development of prioritized evidence-based interventions for behavioral change to improve safer sexual health encounters among this vulnerable populatio