Homosexuality Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Homosexuality, including details on causes, biology, signs, statistics, trends.

Adolescent same-sex and both-sex romantic attractions and relationships: implications for smoking.

Easton A, Jackson K, Mowery P, Comeau D, Sell R

Steps Program Office, Division of Adult and Community Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, Mailstop K-85, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. ace7@cdc.gov

OBJECTIVES: We examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between smoking and romantic attractions and relationships. METHODS: We used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to assess associations of smoking at Waves I and II with same-sex, both-sex, and opposite-sex romantic attractions or relationships as determined at Wave I. We used logistic regression to predict smoking at Wave II by sexual orientation. RESULTS: Both adolescent boys and adolescent girls with both-sex attractions or relationships were significantly more likely than those with opposite-sex attractions or relationships to be current smokers. Adolescent boys and girls with both-sex attractions or relationships who were nonsmokers at Wave I were more likely to be current smokers at Wave II than those with opposite-sex attractions or relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support previous research on smoking among youths who report same-sex or both-sex romantic attractions or relationships and demonstrate the increased risk bisexual youths have for smoking initiation and smoking prevalence. Tobacco use prevention programs targeting gay and bisexual youths are warranted, particularly among adolescent girls and boys who have had both-sex romantic attractions or relationships.

Published 25 February 2008 in Am J Public Health, 98(3): 462-7.
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Articles on Homosexuality published 24 January 2008:

Short-term impact evaluation of a social marketing campaign to prevent syphilis among men who have sex with men.   Am J Public Health, 98(2): 337-43.

OBJECTIVES: We carried out an independent short-term impact evaluation of a social marketing campaign designed to reduce syphilis infections among men who have sex with men in south Florida in 2004. METHODS: Venue-based surveys were conducted shortly after the campaign began and 6 months later to assess changes in exposure to campaign materials, awareness, knowledge about syphilis, perceptions of risk, sexual behavior, clinic visits, and testing and treatment for syphilis among participants. ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Homosexuality published 28 December 2007:

Elevated risk for HIV infection among men who have sex with men in low- and middle-income countries 2000-2006: a systematic review.   PLoS Med, 4(12): e339.

BACKGROUND: Recent reports of high HIV infection rates among men who have sex with men (MSM) from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the former Soviet Union (FSU) suggest high levels of HIV transmission among MSM in low- and middle-income countries. To investigate the global epidemic of HIV among MSM and the relationship of MSM outbreaks to general populations, we conducted a comprehensive review of HIV studies among MSM in low- and middle-income countries and performed a meta-analysis of ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Homosexuality published 28 November 2007:

Circumcision status and HIV infection among Black and Latino men who have sex with men in 3 US cities.   J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr, 46(5): 643-50.

OBJECTIVE: To examine characteristics of circumcised and uncircumcised Latino and black men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States and assess the association between circumcision and HIV infection. METHODS: Using respondent-driven sampling, 1154 black MSM and 1091 Latino MSM were recruited from New York City, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles. A 45-minute computer-assisted interview and a rapid oral fluid HIV antibody test (OraSure Technologies, Bethlehem, PA) were administered to ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Homosexuality published 20 November 2007:

Internet use and risk behaviours: an online survey of visitors to three gay websites in China.   Sex Transm Infect, 83(7): 571-6.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the risk behaviours of visitors to gay websites and to explore the role of the internet in the HIV transmission among the Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS: Between May and August 2006, visitors of three Chinese gay websites were invited to complete an online questionnaire about the use of the internet and risk sexual behaviours. RESULTS: The median age of the online sample was 25 years old (range 18 to 64). Over three-quarters (77.6%) had an education of ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Internet as a tool to access high-risk men who have sex with men from a resource-constrained setting: a study from Peru.   Sex Transm Infect, 83(7): 567-70.

OBJECTIVES: In Peru, current interventions in high-risk men who have sex with men (MSM) reach a limited number of this population because they rely solely on peer education. The objective of this study was to assess the use of the internet as an alternative tool to access this population. METHODS: Two nearly identical banner ads-both advertising an online survey but only one offering free HIV/syphilis tests and condoms-were displayed randomly on a Peruvian gay website. RESULTS: The inclusion of ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Homosexuality published 29 October 2007:

Changes in HIV prevalence and sexual behavior among men who have sex with men in a northern Chinese city: 2002-2006.   J Infect, 55(5): 456-63.

OBJECTIVE: To examine HIV prevalence and sexual behavior changes among MSM in Harbin. METHODS: Three community-based cross-sectional surveys among MSM were conducted based on the same protocol and methodology in 2002, 2004 and 2006 in Harbin, China. Men who were eligible were interviewed with a standard questionnaire. Urine samples were collected to screen their HIV status. RESULTS: Among the MSM in Harbin, an increased trend was observed towards more self-identifying as homosexual (from 58% to ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Homosexuality published 24 October 2007:

Sexual orientation and risk factors for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among adolescents and young adults.   Am J Public Health, 97(11): 2017-9.

Same-gender sexual orientation has been repeatedly shown to exert an independent influence on suicidal ideation and suicide attempts, suggesting that risk factors and markers may differ in relative importance between lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals and others. Analyses of recent data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health revealed that lesbian, gay, and bisexual respondents reported higher rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts than did heterosexual ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Physical health complaints among lesbians, gay men, and bisexual and homosexually experienced heterosexual individuals: results from the California Quality of Life Survey.   Am J Public Health, 97(11): 2048-55.

OBJECTIVES: We examined evidence that minority sexual orientation is associated with more-frequent reports of physical health complaints. We also investigated the possible role of HIV infection among gay men and higher rates of psychological distress among lesbians, gay men, and bisexually and homosexually experienced heterosexual individuals in generating these health disparities. METHODS: We used data from the California Quality of Life Survey (N=2272 adults) to examine associations between ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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