Search Results (149)

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination remains a critical preventive strategy against HPV-related cancers, yet uptake among young adults in Poland remains suboptimal. Objectives: This study aimed to assess HPV vaccination status, determinants, and perceived barriers to vaccination among healthcare students. Methods: This retrospective survey was conducted among 1062 students of the Medical University of Lodz, including those studying Medicine, Nursing, Midwifery, and Public Health. Results: Overall, 20% of respondents reported HPV vaccination, with the highest coverage among midwifery students (26.8%) and the lowest among medical students (16.8%). The major barriers to vaccination were found to be cost and misconceptions regarding vaccination age limits. As most respondents were above 14 years old when receiving the first dose, they were not eligible for the national free vaccination program. The significant motivators were parental influence and guidance from the medical university; however, recommendations for vaccination were infrequent. Multivariable logistic regression analysis found marital status (p = 0.029), paternal medical education (p = 0.003), and prior sexual experience (p = 0.037) to be significantly associated with vaccination status. Adverse events were reported by 45% of vaccinated respondents, most commonly reactions at the injection site. Nursing and midwifery students more often perceived adverse events as moderate or severe, but none discontinued vaccination. Conclusions: These findings underscore the need for financial support mechanisms and targeted educational interventions to enhance HPV vaccine uptake among future healthcare professionals in Poland. Full article

This article examines the development of Islamic education in Islamic primary schools in the Netherlands from 1988 to 2025. Since the early 1970s, the Muslim population in the Netherlands has grown significantly—initially due to labor migrants from Turkey and Morocco, and later as a result of asylum seekers from countries such as Somalia, Iraq, and Syria. The desire to practice and pass on their faith led to the establishment of mosques, educational centers, boarding schools, and eventually Islamic primary schools. In 1987, some of the founders of Islamic primary schools aspired to establish institutions similar to Madrasas, focusing heavily on Islamic instruction such as Qur’an recitation and Hadith studies. However, these ambitions could not be realized due to funding requirements. Others were inspired by the Imam Hatip schools in Turkey, which offer religious subjects such as Qur’an, Hadith, and Sira (the life of the Prophet Muhammad) alongside the national curriculum. Ultimately, a Dutch model of Islamic education emerged—partly influenced by the Imam Hatip concept, yet possessing a distinct identity. This study investigates how Islamic education has evolved in practice through semi-structured interviews, school observations, document analysis, and a national survey of religion teachers. The findings indicate that the desire to provide Islamic religious education was the primary motive behind the founding of the first Islamic primary school in 1988. Since then, this objective has remained central to school boards and parents alike. Religious education has progressed from fragmented teaching materials rooted in Arabic and Turkish contexts to coherent, Dutch-language curricula. By 2025, the teaching materials of Worden wie je bent (“Becoming Who You Are”) and the Amana have become dominant. Instruction encompasses not only religious knowledge and Qur’an recitation but also social-emotional development, citizenship, and sexuality education within an Islamic framework. Full article

To better understand the motivation underlying harassment of adult matings by infants, we studied infant harassment behaviors in a multilevel social primate, wild (provisioned) Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana). Two harassment patterns were identified: care-seeking and sociable. Infants showed more frequent harassment in response to sexual activities of their mothers than non-mothers, with more care-seeking harassment directed to their mothers. The responses of mothers and non-mothers to infant harassment were different, with the former showing increased caretaking of their infants. Infants harassing non-mothers were more likely to receive aggression from the latter than infants harassing their own mothers. Overall, the more frequently infants harassed matings, the more care they received and the more attacks they received. We conclude that in Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys, infant harassment of their mother’s sexual activity is an effective behavioral tactic to receive more maternal care. It can therefore be interpreted as indirect support for the parent–offspring conflict hypothesis. Full article

Background: Adolescent depressive and anxiety symptoms may erode motivation and problem-solving needed for timely contraception, while online information quality is uneven. We synthesized evidence linking mental health, contraceptive knowledge/access, and teen pregnancy risk. Methods: Following PRISMA-2020, we searched PubMed, Embase, and Scopus to 7 July 2025 for primary studies including adolescents that measured validated mental health symptoms or psychiatric settings and reported contraceptive knowledge/access/behavior and/or teen pregnancy outcomes. Two reviewers screened/extracted data; risk of bias was appraised with the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and ROBINS-I. Given heterogeneity, we conducted narrative synthesis. Results: Six U.S.-based studies met the criteria, spanning community colleges, a national cohort, school surveillance, psychiatric inpatient care, and pediatric emergency departments (samples: n = 143 to weighted N = 29,755). Depressive symptoms were associated with contraception access (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.58, 95% CI 1.27–1.96) and anxiety/stress with similar risk (aOR 1.46, 1.17–1.82). A first depressive episode in the same year as sexual debut increased teenage pregnancy hazard (adjusted hazard ratio 2.70, 1.15–6.34). School surveillance showed mental health indicators correlated with contraception non-use at last sex (odds ratios 1.78–2.71). Among psychiatric inpatients, not knowing where to obtain contraception and access difficulties strongly predicted interest in information (aOR 2.96–3.33) and initiation (aOR 2.85–4.72). In a pediatric emergency department trial, same-day initiation occurred in 26.8% versus 3.1% under usual care. Conclusions: Evidence directly linking adolescent mental health symptoms to teen pregnancy is limited (one study), whereas multiple studies show associations with contraception knowledge/access and delayed or non-use, suggesting plausible indirect pathways to pregnancy risk. These findings support hypothesis-generating, integrated approaches and highlight the need for studies with teen pregnancy endpoints. Full article

Psychological and motivational factors are implicated in various medical conditions, yet the link between physical health and life aspirations, as defined in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), remains underexplored. To address this gap and advance theory, we conducted a preliminary investigation of associations between aspirations and self-reported symptoms across five functional medical conditions—gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), headaches, sleep disturbances, and sexual dysfunction. We surveyed 392 Canadian medical patients (Mage = 42.8 years, SD = 12.7, 50.5% women, 82.1% white, 75.3% with higher education) to assess whether the relative importance, likelihood, and attainment of intrinsic (e.g., personal growth, relationships, community, health) and extrinsic (e.g., wealth, fame, image) aspirations were associated with symptoms. Consistent with hypotheses, greater relative prioritization of intrinsic goals was linked to fewer symptoms—especially sleep disturbance—while extrinsic aspirations were associated with increased symptoms, particularly GERD. Sociodemographic factors, such as age, gender, education, religiosity, and subjective financial status, also showed associations with goal orientations and symptom burden, broadly aligning with SDT predictions. Findings highlight the potential relevance of people’s personal goals in patient-centered care for functional conditions and underscore the need for further research exploring mechanisms and moderators of these effects. Full article

Purpose: This study investigated the attributes of confession pages on Facebook, their role within social networks, and their impact on society. It also explored their defining traits, the need for confession pages and the effects of anonymity. Methodology: The research methodology involved coding 1280 posts extracted from select pages, and semi-structured in-depth interviews with 15 prominent followers. Findings: Anonymity was found to be important because it helps individuals avoid social repercussions. Prominent recurring themes included formal behavior, relationships, and sexuality, topics that frequently involve social sanctions and penalties. The study also underscored the sense of community fostered by interaction between writers posting on confession pages and readers of these posts. The current study suggests that confession pages reflect society-level value preferences that shape interaction on social media according to Hofstede’s framework. Moreover, different confession groups serve to satisfy different needs, aligning with the theory of uses and gratifications in communication media. Practical implications: Engagement was shown by readers who extended offers to help and provided suggestions to support authors facing different challenges. Social implications: The motivations of anonymity for contributors to communities fostered through writer–reader interactions on the platform. Value: An in-depth examination of confession within contemporary society, redefining the contemporary landscape of confession, shedding light on its various perspectives within the public internet sphere, and thus contributing to comprehension of the different needs for anonymous expression. Full article

Sexual behavior is a complex process in which the brain plays an active role. In the male rat, stimuli from the female are perceived through sensory receptors related to olfaction, hearing, vision, and the perigenital area, priming the individual for a sexual response. This process culminates with ejaculation and the deposition of semen into the uterine tract with the aim of achieving fertilization. The brain plays a fundamental role in both generating motivation and executing male sexual behavior. Meanwhile, the spinal cord, through the autonomic nervous system and the pelvic ganglion, transmits information to the reproductive organs, including the testes. Currently, there is extensive evidence demonstrating the involvement of various brain structures in the regulation of sexual behavior, as well as specific regions of the spinal cord involved in the control of ejaculation. For instance, the medial preoptic area (MPOA) has been shown to regulate the secretion of pituitary hormones, which in turn modulate the function of reproductive organs. Among these, testosterone production is particularly notable, as this hormone not only directly affects reproductive organs but also exerts a modulatory role on brain nuclei responsible for sexual behavior. Although there is a reciprocal regulation between the nervous and endocrine systems, it is important to note that the execution of sexual behavior also impacts peripheral structures, such as the major pelvic ganglion (MPG) and the testis, preparing the organism for reproduction. The purpose of this mini-review is to provide an overview of the main brain nuclei involved in the regulation of sexual behavior, as well as the spinal cord regions implicated in reproduction. Finally, we discuss how these structures may alter their function in the context of neurodegenerative diseases, aiming to introduce readers to this field of study. Full article

Background: Sexual violence poses a significant challenge to European lawmakers, impacting the victim’s physical and psychological health. This study examines sexual violence legislation across EU member states, Switzerland, and the UK, analyzing similarities, differences, challenges, and potential solutions for effective policy development. The research was motivated by the adoption of EU Directive 2024/1385. Methods: This study analyzes sexual violence legislation across European countries in a comparative and qualitative way, highlighting differences, commonalities, and the potential for uniform regulation. The data were collected from the literature published between 2015 and 2024, focusing the EU member states, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Results: The examination of the norms governing sexual offenses in various European countries revealed significant differences in legislative frameworks, reflecting diverse cultural, ethical, and legal perspectives. Conclusions: Despite European countries sharing the goal of protecting victims and combating sexual violence, there are significant legislative disparities. Key recommendations include enhancing EU member state cooperation, implementing joint training programs, developing a specific EU directive, and creating coordinated prevention and education programs. While respecting national legal diversity, a unified approach is needed for effective prevention and prosecution of sexual violence across Europe. Full article

Proponents of Sexual Script Theory posit that men and women differ in their sexual behaviors/motivations, often due to culturally ingrained expectations. When these expectations are violated, individuals may face stigma, particularly in nontraditional contexts like mixed-sex threesomes (MSTs). This study examined gender differences in heterosexual adults’ anticipated stigma and willingness to accept various sexual offers, including dyadic and MST offers involving same- and other-sex partners, through the lens of the backlash effect (i.e., the anticipation of stigma for participating in sexual behaviors that contradict societal expectations). A total of 540 heterosexual U.S. adults read vignettes depicting hypothetical sexual invitations and completed measures assessing anticipated stigma and willingness to engage. Results revealed that men anticipated less stigma and were more willing to accept sexual offers than women. Participants also anticipated less stigma and reported greater willingness to accept other-sex dyadic offers as compared to same-sex or MST offers. However, men reported the highest anticipated stigma and lowest willingness for same-sex dyadic offers, suggesting a novel backlash effect against men engaging in gender non-conforming behaviors. These findings offer support for the persistence of the sexual double standard and provide evidence for gendered backlash effects, including those impacting heterosexual men. Full article

Sexual and romantic partners tend to match on various dimensions of mate value including physical attractiveness. Men may be motivated to inflate their self-perceived physical attractiveness to justify pursuing highly attractive women. In the present research, heterosexual men (N = 180) received random assignment to a two-way between-participants factorial design that tested the effects of a woman’s physical attractiveness (low vs. high) and the recipient of her ambiguous sexual behavior (the participant himself or another man) on men’s ratings of her sexual intent. Participants rated that attractive women had greater sexual intent compared to unattractive women, but only when the participant himself was the recipient of women’s behavior. Men’s self-perceived physical attractiveness did not vary as a function of the woman’s physical attractiveness except when another man was the recipient of a physically attractive woman’s behavior, which reduced men’s perceptions of their physical attractiveness. Findings suggested that men’s self-perceptions and women’s appearance may bias men’s sexual judgment. Full article

This study aimed to analyze the perception of women who were victims of rape about the care provided at a teaching hospital located in the northeast of Brazil. A qualitative study was conducted with seven women. The interviews took place in a trustworthy and confidential environment in the presence of a psychologist. The data were analyzed through content analysis, evidencing the women’s perceptions. The sample was achieved by convenience sampling and was homogeneous, with a profile of women who were young, white/black, and single, with low education and a history of sexual violence. Positive views about the care provided at the hospital included its status as a reference center, motivating women to seek health services. The legitimization of women’s rights, effective care, and the possibility of having a legal abortion were also mentioned. The challenges reported included the need for a prepared health team and more humanized and multidisciplinary care. Women who had suffered rape sought medical assistance for support, guidance, and a humane approach to understanding their rights, often finding a compassionate response from the teaching hospital staff. Despite advances in care, challenges remain, such as perceived judgment regarding legal abortion, highlighting the need for policies that better meet the needs of victims. Full article

Low uptake of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention among Black women has been partly attributed to barriers related to patient-provider communication. The goal of this paper was to investigate the association between exposure to the #ShesWell campaign and Black women’s communication about PrEP with a healthcare provider (HCP). We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 403 sexually active, Black women after the initial phase of #ShesWell and used multivariable regression models to analyze whether exposure to #ShesWell was associated with talking to an HCP about PrEP or intention to discuss PrEP with an HCP in the future. Approximately 33% of women surveyed reported exposure to #ShesWell. Campaign exposure was significantly associated with talking to an HCP in the past year about PrEP (OR = 4.96, p = 0.001) and intention to discuss PrEP with an HCP in the next six months (B = 0.29, p = 0.038). Stronger beliefs that doctors should initiate sexual health conversations were positively associated with past PrEP conversations (OR = 2.32, p < 0.001) and future intention (B = 0.11, p = 0.029). Greater comfort discussing prevention (B = 0.35, p < 0.001), self-efficacy discussing PrEP (B = 0.29, p = 0.001), and concern about getting HIV (B = 0.51, p < 0.001) were also associated with intention to discuss PrEP with an HCP. Findings highlight the potential for communication campaigns to motivate patient-provider communication about PrEP, addressing a reported barrier to PrEP uptake among Black women. Full article

L-carnitine and Mildronate are substances that can significantly rearrange the energy metabolism of cells. This can potentially cause changes in the bacterial composition of the gut microbiome and affect testis functionality and male sexual health. Mice of the C57Bl/6 line were used. Sexual behavior was assessed using physiological tests, and gene expression patterns were assessed by qPCR. High-throughput sequencing of mouse fecal microbiota was performed. We showed that long-term administration of Mildronate has no significant effect on the intestinal microbiome, and there was a compensatory increase in the expression of genes involved in fatty acid and leptin metabolism. No impairment of sexual motivation in male mice was observed. Prolonged L-carnitine supplementation caused a decrease in alpha diversity of bacteria and a decrease in some groups of microorganisms that are components of a healthy gut microflora. A correlation was observed between the level of bacteria from Firmicutes phylum, indicators of sexual motivation of mice, and the dynamics of body weight gain. Our results may indicate that metabolic modulators can have a significant impact on the structure of the bacterial community of the gut microbiome, which may influence male sexual health through the gut–semen axis. Full article

Healthcare abuse is a critical human rights and public health issue, particularly impacting medical interns and trainees who are vulnerable to mistreatment during their formative professional years. This cross-sectional study, conducted from February to June 2024, evaluated the prevalence and psychological impact of harassment and discrimination among 463 healthcare interns in Saudi Arabia from various specialties, including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and dentistry. Using a self-administered online questionnaire, we found that mistreatment was widely reported, with female interns experiencing significantly higher rates of sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination. Common perpetrators included residents, lecturers, professors, nurses, and patients, with incidents most frequently occurring in surgical and internal medicine departments. Despite high prevalence, only 9% of interns reported the abuse due to mistrust in reporting systems or failure to recognize the behavior as abuse. These experiences were associated with significant psychological distress, including frustration, reduced motivation to learn, and higher DASS scores, particularly among female interns. The study underscores the need for institutional reforms, including policy development, cultural change, and effective reporting systems to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for future healthcare professionals. Addressing abuse in medical training is essential for individual well-being and the sustainability and integrity of healthcare systems. Full article

Dating applications (DAs) are widely used to establish social and sexual connections among men who have sex with men (MSM), particularly in urban areas. In this study, we aimed to examine the associations between DA use and mental health among Thai MSM. An online cross-sectional survey was completed by 442 MSM residing in Bangkok and urban municipalities across all regions of Thailand. Psychological distress (PD) and probable depression were assessed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), respectively. Of the participants, 62.7% were current users, with 33.2% experiencing PD and 33.9% having depression. A logistic regression analysis showed that PD was significantly associated with late-night use (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.08–3.78), matching failure (AOR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.12–3.38), rejection (AOR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.18–3.62), and ghosting (AOR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.02–3.11). Simultaneously, depression was significantly associated with using DAs with the motivation of hooking up (AOR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.05–4.93), privacy violations (AOR = 2.76, 95% CI: 1.42–5.38), unsolicited sexual images (AOR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.11–3.74), physical assault (AOR = 2.97, 95% CI: 1.57–5.61), harassment (AOR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.37–4.70), scams (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.41–4.77), and extreme disappointment from DA use (AOR = 5.98, 95% CI: 1.84–19.41). These findings highlight how DA usage patterns and negative experiences may contribute to the poorer mental health among MSM in urban areas. Full article