“Sexplorando”: Sexual Practices and Condom Use among an Internet-Based Sample of Men and Women in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Introduction Despite the wealth of literature addressing sexual practices and condom use among men and women, very little data are available among Hispanic/Latino populations and in the Caribbean Region. This study adds to the existing literature on sexual practices and condom use in Puerto Rico (PR) and provides comparisons based on sex given the need for more current information on the sexual characteristics and condom use rates among understudied populations. Aim The aim of this study was to assess the rates of sexual practices and condom use among adults, aged 21–49, in PR. Methods We report the prevalence of lifetime and recent (past 3 months) sexual practices by sex, as event-level condom use rates, and condom familiarity and accessibility in an online-based sample of adult men and women in PR. Main Outcome Measures The main variables assessed include sociodemographic characteristics, solo and partnered sexual practices, and condom use frequencies, as well as familiarity and accessibility to male and female condoms. Results Overall, 93% of the sample reported having been sexually active (engaged in oral, vaginal, and/or anal sex) in their lifetime and 78% reported sexual practices in the past 3 months. As in other studies Hispanic/Latino populations, reported rates of anal intercourse (AI) among both men and women were relatively high. Overall, a greater proportion of men reported condom use during all sexual practices (41% vaginal intercourse (VI); 65% receptive AI; 46% insertive AI) than women (22% VI; 18% AI). Conclusions These findings provide current sexual practice and condom use frequency rates that can aid in the understanding of the particular sexual health needs of Hispanic/Latino populations as well as of other groups in the Caribbean. It also serves for the development of future studies and sexual health promotion programs, including comprehensive sexual health care.

Sexual health knowledge and stigma in a community sample of HIV-positive gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Puerto Rico

“…Official agreements between community collaborators, -mostly community-based and primary health care organizations providing HIV prevention and care services to GBMSM in Puerto Rico, and an academic institution- were established to mutually support research activities. A survey was developed to collect data following practices previously implemented to build and adapt culturally congruent data collection instruments (Rodríguez-Díaz, et al, 2014; Rodríguez-Díaz, Reece, Dodge, & Herbenick, 2009). All research collaborators contributed in the logistics for participants’ recruitment, data collection, and analysis.…”

Zika virus epidemic in Puerto Rico: Health justice too long delayed

“…Notwithstanding, these recommendations should be considered in context. In Puerto Rico, high levels of sexuality-related stigma, 12,13,14 poor quality sex education, 15 limited access to contraception, 16,17 and limited participation in the allocation of resources for prevention 18 make prevention of new Zika infections in accordance with these recommendations challenging, if not downright onerous. For example, researchers in Puerto Rico have evidenced that there is poor quality sex education available, 15,19 limited access to contraception, 16,17 low levels of reproductive planning, 20 high levels of gender-based violence, 21 and low rates of condom use among women.…”

“…In Puerto Rico, high levels of sexuality-related stigma, 12,13,14 poor quality sex education, 15 limited access to contraception, 16,17 and limited participation in the allocation of resources for prevention 18 make prevention of new Zika infections in accordance with these recommendations challenging, if not downright onerous. For example, researchers in Puerto Rico have evidenced that there is poor quality sex education available, 15,19 limited access to contraception, 16,17 low levels of reproductive planning, 20 high levels of gender-based violence, 21 and low rates of condom use among women. 17 Further, two thirds (65%) of pregnancies are unintended, 22 sexual abstinence is rarely practiced among sexually active adults, 17 and abstinence-based sexual education (on which public policies are mostly focused) has proven to be ineffective and morally problematic as it threatens fundamental human rights to health, information, life, and reproductive freedom.…”

“…For example, researchers in Puerto Rico have evidenced that there is poor quality sex education available, 15,19 limited access to contraception, 16,17 low levels of reproductive planning, 20 high levels of gender-based violence, 21 and low rates of condom use among women. 17 Further, two thirds (65%) of pregnancies are unintended, 22 sexual abstinence is rarely practiced among sexually active adults, 17 and abstinence-based sexual education (on which public policies are mostly focused) has proven to be ineffective and morally problematic as it threatens fundamental human rights to health, information, life, and reproductive freedom. 23 …”

“…For instance, the local Catholic Church through their current Archbishop has condemned the use of condoms, encouraging followers to ignore the CDC’s recommendation to use protection during sexual intercourse. All these factors are disproportionally affecting young adults (21–25 yr) who are the most sexually active group, 17 among whom most of the unintended pregnancies are reported, 20,26 are known to have exacerbated economic constraints, 27 and are more socially vulnerable in general. 28 …”