Homophobia: an evolutionary analysis of the concept as applied to nursing

Homophobia is a socially accepted, culturally based belief, which is heavily influenced by an individual's or a community's inherent attitudes, beliefs and values. This conceptual analysis of homophobia has endeavoured to review existing literature on homophobia and subsequently identify and examine the phobic constituents of the concept. References to homophobia are mostly from the 1970–1980 period and there is much unacknowledged conceptual baggage that accompanies the term, which results in restrictive and inappropriate ideas about this concept. This is mainly the consequence of comparisons of homophobia to other phobias, which directly infers fear of homosexuals, while in reality homophobia is more of a biased disgust at homosexuals' lifestyles. This paper attempts to re-conceptualize homophobia so that empirical research can begin to test the critical attributes of the concept. This forms the basis for the development of a comprehensive social psychological theory of attitudes towards homosexuals. Such a theory would transcend the unilateral and unidimensional concept of homophobia as a fear and help the understanding of attitudes and feelings towards homosexuals.     

Biological and demographic causes of high HIV and sexually transmitted disease prevalence in men who have sex with men

OBJECTIVES: HIV disproportionately affects men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM and heterosexual networks are distinguished by biologically determined sexual role segregation among heterosexual individuals but not MSM, and anal/vaginal transmissibility differences. To identify how much these biological and demographic differences could explain persistent disparities in HIV/sexually transmitted disease prevalence in the United States, even were MSM and heterosexual individuals to report identical numbers of unprotected sexual partnerships per year. METHODS: A compartmental model parameterized using two population-based surveys. Role composition was varied between MSM and heterosexual subjects (insertive-only and receptive-only versus versatile individuals) and infectivity values. RESULTS: The absence of sexual role segregation in MSM and the differential anal/vaginal transmission probabilities led to considerable disparities in equilibrium prevalence. The US heterosexual population would only experience an epidemic comparable to MSM if the mean partner number of heterosexual individuals was increased several fold over that observed in population-based studies of either group. In order for MSM to eliminate the HIV epidemic, they would need to develop rates of unprotected sex lower than those currently exhibited by heterosexual individuals in the United States. In this model, for US heterosexual individuals to have a self-sustaining epidemic, they would need to adopt levels of unprotected sex higher than those currently exhibited by US MSM. CONCLUSIONS: The persistence of disparities in HIV between heterosexual individuals and MSM in the United States cannot be explained solely by differences in risky sexual behavior between these two populations.     

The constitution of 'lavender families': a LGB perspective

Aim. To explore and describe lesbian, gay and bisexual people’s families of origin and families of choice. Background. As a family group lesbian, gay and bisexual people engage with nurses when they interface with any health care service. All health practitioners need to be aware of the existence and constitution of lesbian, gay and bisexual families to provide appropriate health care, including health promotion and education. Design. Survey. Method. From April to July 2004 a national survey of lesbian, gay and bisexual persons was carried out. Participants were recruited through mainstream and lesbian, gay and bisexual media and venues. A total of 2269 participants completed the survey instrument either electronically or via hard copy. The 133‐item instrument included a range of closed‐response questions in a variety of domains of interest. The article reports on results from the family and relationships domain. Results. Findings identified that lesbian, gay and bisexual families present with a variety of both constructed and biological kinship ties and relationships. These relationships vary from supported to estranged in terms of biological family and exclusivity through to non‐exclusivity with regard to partners. Variations also exist in relation to the presence or absence of children and whether these were born before or after ‘coming out’. Conclusions. Lesbian, gay and bisexual families bring with them to health care services a wide array of life experiences. Therefore it is vital that when interacting with this group of people nurses avoid making assumptions about how gay, lesbian and bisexual people construct their identities and relationships. Furthermore, it may be difficult to ascertain a person’s sexual identity when meeting them for the first time. Relevance to clinical practice. Nurses need to ensure that they do not assume families seeking healthcare are heterosexual. Providing lesbian, gay and bisexual families with opportunities to disclose sexual identity without fear of disapproval or prejudice is integral to providing a quality and appropriate health service.     

同伴推动抽样法在济南市男男性接触人群中的应用研究

目的探索同伴推动抽样法（RDS）在济南市男男性接触人群（MSM）中应用的可行性,了解该人群性行为特征及艾滋病感染状况。方法使用 RDS 进行匿名问卷调查,采集血标本,使用RDSAT 5.5软件进行统计学分析。结果调查500名MSM,HIV阳性检测率为3.1%。自我评估为男性性取向占46.3%。49.9%发生过无保护性行为。结论济南市MSM人群HIV阳性检测率高于其他高危人群阳性检测率,高危行为普遍存在,必须加强干预工作力度,减少二代传播。     

Analysis of homosexual behavior characteristics and influencing factors of male college students in Zhejiang Province

The purpose of this study was to understand the homosexual behavior characteristics and influencing factors of male college students and to provide scientific evidence for the prevention of HIV infection in college students.A self-made online questionnaire was used to collect information on demographic characteristics, sexual attitudes, sexual behaviors, and interventions of the respondents. The χ² test was performed on the constituent ratios of different groups, and whether homosexual behavior occurred was the dependent variable. Logistic regression was subsequently used to analyze the influencing factors of male homosexual behavior.A total of 2665 students were surveyed, including 219 men who have sex with men, accounting for 8.22% of the sample population. Multivariate analysis revealed the following independent influencing factors of homosexual behavior among male college students: the student''s household registration was Zhejiang Province, the hometown was in the city, accepted male homosexual sex, had temporary sex in the last year, and awareness that the correct use of condoms can reduce the spread and risk of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.Various measures should be enacted to promote human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome education and intervention among college students, especially emphasizing making friends and advocating safe sex to prevent the spread of the disease.     

Transfusion-transmitted virus prevalence in subjects at high risk of sexually transmitted infection in Turkey

Objective   To assess the possible sexual transmission of virus and to identify the prevalence of TTV viremia in Turkey and its association with other hepatotropic viruses.
Methods   Serum samples were collected from 81 subjects (74 prostitutes and seven homosexual men) at high risk of sexually transmitted infection and from 81 healthy controls (74 females and seven males). Sera of patients and controls were tested for TTV, hepatitis A virus, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and human immunodeficiency virus. Also, serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases were measured.
Results   The prevalence rates of TTV viremia in the risk group and control group were 86.4% and 82.7%, respectively. There was a statistical difference in mean age between TTV-infected and uninfected subjects (38.6 ± 9.9 versus 32.2 ± 6.1 years, respectively, P  < 0.001). Prevalence rates of TTV infection in subjects with positive anti-HAV and positive anti-HBc were high when compared with subjects who were negative for these.
Conclusion   We suggest that TTV infection has a diverse route of transmission, and its prevalence increases with age; also, the prevalence rate of TTV is high in certain risk groups. The prevalence rates of TTV in the group at risk for sexual transmission (86.4%) and in the control group (82.7%) were among the highest ever reported in the world. Also, we suggest that TTV generally does not cause clinical disease, in spite of this high prevalence.     

Sociosexual behavior in male and female homosexuals: A study in sex differences

The results of a post hoc comparison of two West German studies on male and female homosexuals are reported. The lesbian sample consisted of 151 subjects, 18–35 years of age. The male homosexual sample included 581 males of the same age range. The data of both studies are compared with regard to coming out, heterosexual experiences, homosexual activity, partner mobility, and partner relations. The results indicate that being a woman tends to influence the sexual behavior of lesbians more than being a homosexual.Revised version of a paper read at the Annual Meeting, International Academy of Sex Research, August 2–4, 1976, in Hamburg.     

The impact of relational factors on sexual satisfaction among heterosexual and homosexual men

This study analyzed the correlates of sexual satisfaction among exclusively heterosexual and homosexual men. Analyses were carried out using data from a 2011 web survey about male sexual interest in two European countries. A total of 2968 men with exclusive heterosexual behavior and 285 men with exclusive homosexual behavior in the previous five years from Portugal and Croatia, participated in this study. Hierarchical multiple regressions were performed in order to explore which variables predicted sexual satisfaction. Among heterosexuals, in step one, both age and sexual difficulties emerged as highly significant predictors, and in step two, the frequency of intercourse and the number of sexual partners also emerged as significant predictors. Finally, in the third step, the intimacy and the length of the relationship emerged as highly significant predictors of sexual satisfaction. Among homosexuals, in step one, sexual difficulties and country were significant predictors, in step two, only the frequency of sexual intercourse was a significant predictor, and in step three, both relational variables (relationship length and relationship intimacy) were significant predictors. The findings suggest that relational factors, particularly couple intimacy were the strongest predictors of sexual satisfaction for both heterosexual and homosexual men.     

男大学生艾滋病多元参与式健康教育模式探索

目的探索男大学生艾滋病（Human immunodeficiency virus,HIV）多元参与式健康教育模式。方法以前期调查研究为基础,在全校范围开展干预活动涉及网络教育、专家讲座、艾滋病知识进寝室、现场宣讲和同伴教育大赛等内容。干预前后分别进行分层随机抽样调查。结果本次干预对男大学生艾滋病和男性同性恋部分知识知晓率提升和态度改变显著（P〈0.05）。干预前有70.4%的人认为HIV可通过共用牙刷或剃须刀传播,干预后有81.2%的人同意这一观点。干预前有54.7%的人认为同性恋不是一种病,干预后有66.4%的人同意这一看法。结论在大学生中,尤其重点针对男大学生开展艾滋病多元参与式健康教育活动能有效提升和改善男大学生预防艾滋病的知识和态度,值得进一步完善和推广。