TY - JOUR

T1 - Understanding how young cisgender heterosexual men navigate sexual health conversations and practices during casual sex

T2 - a qualitative study

AU - Waling, Andrea

PY - 2023/6/1

Y1 - 2023/6/1

N2 - BACKGROUND: Young cisgender heterosexual men in Australia are the least likely population group to undergo testing for sexually transmissible infections (STI) and ensuring barrier method use during casual sex with cisgender women who have sex with men, with rates of STIs increasing among this group. This research examines how these men navigate sexual health conversations and practices during casual sexual encounters.METHODS: A total of 30 semi-structured interviews with young cisgender heterosexual men living in Australia during 2021 were conducted. Participants were asked questions about their dating and sexual practices, including sexual health knowledge, how they learned to have sex, and navigating sexual health conversations with partners, such as STI testing, and barrier method and hormonal contraceptive use. Findings were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis techniques.RESULTS: Findings note that men use various strategies of avoidance including sustaining the erotic moment, and assuming women's responsibility. Participants also noted limited relationality, in which they highlighted individualised concerns for their own sexual health wellbeing but not that of their partners.CONCLUSIONS: This research highlights that despite increased awareness and promotion of STI prevention and contraceptive responsibility, young cisgender heterosexual men continue to forego their responsibilities regarding their own and other's sexual health during casual sexual encounters. Findings highlight a need to include gender transformative approaches to sexual health promotion and practice to address continuing gender inequities.

AB - BACKGROUND: Young cisgender heterosexual men in Australia are the least likely population group to undergo testing for sexually transmissible infections (STI) and ensuring barrier method use during casual sex with cisgender women who have sex with men, with rates of STIs increasing among this group. This research examines how these men navigate sexual health conversations and practices during casual sexual encounters.METHODS: A total of 30 semi-structured interviews with young cisgender heterosexual men living in Australia during 2021 were conducted. Participants were asked questions about their dating and sexual practices, including sexual health knowledge, how they learned to have sex, and navigating sexual health conversations with partners, such as STI testing, and barrier method and hormonal contraceptive use. Findings were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis techniques.RESULTS: Findings note that men use various strategies of avoidance including sustaining the erotic moment, and assuming women's responsibility. Participants also noted limited relationality, in which they highlighted individualised concerns for their own sexual health wellbeing but not that of their partners.CONCLUSIONS: This research highlights that despite increased awareness and promotion of STI prevention and contraceptive responsibility, young cisgender heterosexual men continue to forego their responsibilities regarding their own and other's sexual health during casual sexual encounters. Findings highlight a need to include gender transformative approaches to sexual health promotion and practice to address continuing gender inequities.

KW - Male

KW - Humans

KW - Female

KW - Heterosexuality

KW - Sexual Health

KW - Sexually Transmitted Diseases/prevention & control

KW - Sexual Behavior

KW - Communication

KW - Sexual Partners

KW - HIV Infections/prevention & control

U2 - 10.1071/SH23012

DO - 10.1071/SH23012

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 37257866

VL - 20

SP - 347

EP - 356

JO - Sexual health

JF - Sexual health

SN - 1448-5028

IS - 4

ER -