SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Heterosexuality”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed2006

Mental health issues: a comparison of lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual women.

This study examines mental health issues among women of different sexual orientations. An anonymous survey was administered at 33 health care sites across the United States; the sample (N = 1304) included lesbians (n = 524), bisexual (n = 143) and heterosexual women (n = 637). Not only did sexual orientation influence the probability of experiencing emotional stress, but also whether a bisexual woman or lesbian had disclosed her sexual orientation (was "out") impacted the likelihood of having or having had mental health problems. Bisexual women and lesbians experienced more emotional stress as teenagers than did heterosexual women. Bisexual women were more than twice as likely to have had an eating disorder compared to lesbians. If a bisexual woman reported being out she was twice as likely to have had an eating disorder compared to a heterosexual woman. Lesbians who were not out and bisexual women who were out were 2-2.5 times more likely to experience suicidal ideation in the past 12 months. Lesbians and bisexual women who were not out were more likely to have had a suicide attempt compared to heterosexual women. Lesbians used psychotherapy for depression more commonly than did heterosexual or bisexual women. This is one of the few studies that compares lesbians, bisexual and heterosexual women. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Reactive, anxious and possessive forms of jealousy and their relation to relationship quality among heterosexuals and homosexuals.

The present study examined the relationship between relational quality and three different types of jealousy-reactive, anxious and possessive jealousy. The sample consisted of 76 gay men, 79 lesbians, 70 heterosexual women and 70 heterosexual men. Findings show that different types of jealousy affect relationship quality differently and do so differently for homosexuals and heterosexuals. Among heterosexuals and especially gay men--but not among lesbians--anxious jealousy was negatively related to relationship quality. In contrast, among heterosexuals--but not among gay men or lesbians--reactive jealousy was positively related to relationship quality. The present study shows that distinguishing between different types of jealousy is necessary to entangle the diverse effects of jealousy on the quality of homosexual and heterosexual relationships.

Adjustment Disorders↗

PubMed2005

Use of heavier drinking contexts among heterosexuals, homosexuals and bisexuals: results from a National Household Probability Survey.

OBJECTIVE: Extensive use of specific social contexts (bars and parties, for instance) by homosexuals and bisexuals is thought to be a factor in the higher rates of drinking among these groups. However, much of the empirical evidence behind these assumptions has been based on studies with methodological or sampling shortcomings. This article examines the epidemiological patterns of alcohol contexts in relation to sexual identity, using a large, national, probability population survey. METHOD: We used the 2000 National Alcohol Survey for these analyses. The prevalence of spending leisure time in each of two social contexts (bars and parties) that are associated with heavier drinking is examined by sexual orientation (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual and self-identified heterosexuals with same sex partners). In addition, we compare levels of drinking within these contexts by sexual orientation within these groups. RESULTS: Exclusively heterosexual women spent less time in these two contexts relative to all other groups of women. Gay men spent considerably more time in bars compared with the other groups of men. Heterosexual women who reported same sex partners drink more at bars, and bisexual women drink more alcohol at both bars and parties than exclusively heterosexual women. For men, there were no significant differences for average consumption in any of these contexts. Entry of background and demographic variables into logistic regression analyses did little to modify these associations. CONCLUSIONS: There is empirical evidence that some groups of homosexual and bisexual women and men spend more time than heterosexual individuals in heavier drinking contexts. The frequency of being in these two social contexts does not appear to be associated with heavier drinking within these contexts for men, but it may be related to heavier drinking in those places among some groups of women.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Hepatitis B and Delta virus infection among heterosexuals, homosexuals and bisexual men.

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) infection rates were estimated in patients attending a venereal disease outpatient clinic: 759 heterosexuals and 154 homosexual-bisexual men. The anti-HBc prevalence was higher in homo-bisexual men (68.8 per 100) than in heterosexuals (41.8 per 100), whereas HBsAg was roughly the same in the two groups (about 6 per 100). The anti-HBc prevalence rate among heterosexuals was higher than that estimated in hospital personnel from the same geographical area. A positive association between anti-HBc prevalence and present or past sexually transmitted diseases (STD) was found among homo-bisexual men. Anti-HBc was also positively associated with herpes simplex type 2 antibodies in both heterosexuals and homo-bisexual men. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that sexual behavior also plays a role in the spread of infection among heterosexuals. Ten of the 46 HBsAg-positive subjects were anti-HDV positive: 6 of the 36 heterosexuals and 4 of the 10 homosexuals. All HDV-positive subjects had present or past STDs. These findings suggest sexual transmission of HDV infection.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1989

Heterosexual transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus: a seroepidemiological study.

The transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was studied in 647 subjects who presented no apparent risk factors for the infection other than having had promiscuous heterosexual relations, heterosexual relations with people with an elevated risk of infection, or heterosexual relations with people infected by human immunodeficiency virus. Thirty subjects were found to be seropositive for anti-human immunodeficiency virus antibodies. The elevated risk factors included being the habitual partner of a person at risk of infection or of a person who was infected by human immunodeficiency virus, or being the partner of a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The transmission of the virus was verified in 13 of 284 subjects (4.57%) who had had heterosexual intercourse three or more times with persons at risk and in 16 of 101 subjects (15.84%) who had had heterosexual intercourse three or more times with persons who were seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus antibodies. No significant correlation between human immunodeficiency virus infection and a history of sexually transmitted infections, nor between human immunodeficiency virus infection and female subjects was found. These data suggest that the epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome can also spread through heterosexual relations, even if the possibility of becoming infected in this way seems at the moment limited to particular risk behaviors.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1987

Heterosexual and homosexual gender dysphoria.

This study investigated why more males than females complain of dissatisfaction with their anatomical sex (gender dysphoria). New referrals to a university gender identity clinic were dichotomously classified as heterosexual or homosexual. There were 73 heterosexual and 52 homosexual males; 1 heterosexual and 71 homosexual females. The average heterosexual male was 8 years older at inception than the homosexual groups. The heterosexual males reported that their first cross-gender wishes occurred around the time they first cross-dressed, whereas the homosexual groups reported that cross-gender wishes preceded cross-dressing by 3-4 years. Some history of fetishistic arousal was acknowledged by over 80% of the heterosexual males, compared to fewer than 10% of homosexual males and no homosexual females. The results suggest that males are not differentially susceptible to gender dysphoria per se, but rather that they are differentially susceptible to one of the predisposing conditions, namely, fetishistic transvestism.

Female↗

PubMed2000

A distinctive clade B HIV type 1 is heterosexually transmitted in Trinidad and Tobago.

HIV-1 transmission worldwide is predominantly associated with heterosexual activity, and non-clade B viruses account for the most spread. The HIV-1 epidemic in Trinidad/Tobago and the Caribbean shares many features with such heterosexual epidemics, including a prominent role for coincident sexually transmitted diseases. This study evaluates the molecular epidemiology of HIV-1 in Trinidad/Tobago during a period when abrupt transition from homosexual to heterosexual transmission occurred in the absence of injecting drug use, concomitant with a rapid rise in HIV-1 prevalence in the heterosexual population. Of 31 viral isolates studied during 1987-1995, all cluster with subtype B reference strains. In the analysis of full env genes from 22 early seroconverters, the Trinidad isolates constitute a significant subcluster within the B subtype. The Trinidad V3 consensus sequence differs by a single amino acid from the prototype B V3 consensus and demonstrates stability over the decade of this study. In the majority of isolates, the V3 loop of env contains a signature threonine deletion that marks the lineage of the Trinidad HIV-1 clade B epidemic from pre-1984. No phenotypic features, including syncitium induction, neutralization profiles, and chemokine receptor usage, distinguish this virus population from other subtype B viruses. Thus, although the subtype B HIV-1 viruses being transmitted in Trinidad are genetically distinguishable from other subtype B viruses, this is probably the result of a strong founder effect in a geographically circumscribed population rather than genetic selection for heterosexual transmission. These results demonstrate that canonical clade B HIV-1 can generate a typical heterosexual epidemic.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2005

Molecular epidemiology of the heterosexual HIV-1 transmission in Kunming, Yunnan Province of China suggests origin from the local IDU epidemic.

Molecular epidemiological investigation was conducted among injecting drug users (IDUs) (n = 11) and heterosexuals (n = 15) in Kunming, Yunnan Province of China. HIV-1 genotypes were determined based on the nucleotide sequences of 2.6-kb gag-RT region. The distribution of genotypes among IDUs was as follows: CRF07_BC (5/11) and CRF08_BC (5/11); subtype B' (1/11). Similarly, a majority of Kunming heterosexuals (14/15) were infected with CRF07_BC (4/15), CRF08_BC (6 /15), or subtype B' (4/15), known to predominate among IDUs in China. This contrasts with trends in the coastal regions of China and surrounding southeastern Asian countries, where CRF01_AE predominates among heterosexuals. The heterosexual HIV-1 epidemic in Kunming thus appears to derive from the local IDU epidemic. Of note, subtype B' was the most prevalent strain among heterosexuals before 1997, while CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC became predominant in 2002, indicating a transition of HIV-1 genotype distribution between the early and the more recent samples from Kunming heterosexuals.

China↗

PubMed1992

Dogma disputed: potential endemic heterosexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus in Australia.

The concept of tertiary sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been central to government efforts to communicate notions of risk to heterosexuals in Australia. Data on heterosexually transmitted acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and HIV for Australia are reviewed with emphasis given to the probability of misclassification bias in the heterosexually acquired and 'other/undetermined' categories. Tertiary cases are almost certainly rare in Australia, with little evidence of any increase in their incidence since the first cases were recorded. Three factors (low probability of exposure, the infectivity of HIV and a comparatively low rate of sexual partner change) make it improbable that Australian heterosexuals with no risk factors will experience endemic HIV infection, with a caveat to this conclusion lying in the potential of Australian sex tourism to Southeast Asia for introducing HIV into the Australian heterosexual population. Four hegemonic factors which have acted to suppress any serious debate of the notion that HIV in Australia is unlikely to become endemic among heterosexuals are discussed: the political 'democratization' of risk inspired by concerns that gay men should not be further vilified as a victim group; the preventive imperative; a reluctance among health educators to question the very foundations of the message they are employed to deliver; and a reluctance to curtail 'Trojan horse' benefits to sexually transmissible disease prevention engendered by HIV education promoting safe sex messages.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Hepatitis A seroprevalence in homosexual and heterosexual men.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis A antibodies in homosexual and heterosexual males attending a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. DESIGN: Prospective study of male patients recruited from a GUM clinic during a 10 week period in 1993. SETTING: Central London outpatient GUM department at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. SUBJECTS: 255 patients were recruited, comprising 185 homosexual and 70 heterosexual males. Ninety two men were known to be HIV-positive, of whom 89 were homosexual. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum samples were screened for both IgM and IgG antibodies to hepatitis A by enzyme linked immunoassay. Results were matched to an anonymously completed questionnaire. RESULTS: 81 of the 255 subjects (31.8%) had been exposed to hepatitis A, two of whom were IgM positive. There were similar hepatitis A seroprevalence rates in homosexual (32.4%) and heterosexual men (30.0%). Although 48.1% of the homosexual men were known to be HIV-positive, compared with 4.3% of the heterosexuals. Hepatitis A seroprevalence remained comparable in both groups after patients with known HIV infection were excluded from the analysis. 11.4% of the heterosexual men admitted to oral-anal sexual contact compared with 62.2% of the homosexual men. This sexual practice was not associated with antibodies or a past history of hepatitis A exposure. CONCLUSIONS: There was no detectable difference in hepatitis A seroprevalence between male homosexual and heterosexual GUM clinic attenders, despite a much higher level of oral-anal sexual activity among the homosexual population.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Hepatitis B markers in heterosexual patients attending two genitourinary medicine clinics in the West Midlands.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in heterosexual patients attending two genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in the West Midlands and to examine whether heterosexual activity is a risk factor for acquiring HBV infection with the view to extend HBV vaccination policies to cover this group. DESIGN: HBV markers were determined in the GUM study group and compared with that of the control groups. Responses to a questionnaire were used to examine sexual behaviour patterns that may be related to heterosexual acquisition of HBV infection. SETTING: The West Midlands, UK April 1992-January 1993. SUBJECTS: 788 male patients and 688 female patients attending GUM clinics were compared with 498 male blood donors and 563 females attending antenatal clinics for the seroprevalence of HBV markers. Potential risk factors related to heterosexual activity were assessed in 1436 patients in the study group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of HBV markers in the GUM study group and the controls. The possible use of the risk factors examined as predictors for acquiring HBV infection. RESULTS: The seroprevalence of hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) in GUM patients was 1.9% and 0.5% in the control group. In the study groups the prevalence of anti-HBc from Birmingham was 3.2% while that from Coventry was 0.8%. The low seroprevalence of HBV prevented a multiple logistic analysis. A limited regression analysis showed that being non-white (p < 0.001) and duration of sexual activity (p = 0.013) were risk factors for HBV infection. However, these two factors were poor predictors of the risk to exposure to HBV infection. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HBV infection in heterosexual patients in the West Midlands is very low and does not provide any indications to broaden HBV vaccination into heterosexual patients attending GUM clinics. Risk factors were poor predictors of the exposure to HBV infection. This is partially due to the low prevalence of HBV infection in this study. Further studies are required before definitive conclusions are made regarding the potential predictive value of risk factors.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

The increasing frequency of heterosexually acquired AIDS in the United States, 1983-88.

Of 88,510 cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) reported in adults in the United States from 1983 through 1988, the percentage attributed to reported heterosexual contact with persons known to be infected or at increased risk of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has increased steadily from 0.9 percent in the first quarter of 1983 to 4.0 percent in the fourth quarter of 1988, from 0.1 (in 1983) to 1.4 percent (in 1988) among men, and from 13 (in 1983) to 28 percent (in 1988) among women. Among women, the cumulative incidence of AIDS attributable to heterosexual contact per million population is over 11 times greater for Blacks and Hispanics than for Whites. Among men, this incidence is over 10 times greater for Blacks and four times greater for Hispanics than for Whites. The pattern of distribution of heterosexually acquired AIDS parallels the distribution of other heterosexually transmitted diseases, which are also more frequent in Black and Hispanic inner-city populations. Drug use, exchange of sex for drugs or money, and early onset of sexual activity in adolescents are increasingly associated with heterosexually transmitted infections and are likely to be very important in heterosexual transmission of HIV in inner-city US populations.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1992

Heterosexually acquired HIV-1 infection: cases reported in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 1985 to 1991.

By the end of 1991, there had been 417 reports of AIDS and 1620 reports of HIV-1 infection in persons in England, Wales and Northern Ireland who probably acquired their infection through sexual intercourse between men and women. Between 1986 and 1991, the proportion of AIDS cases attributable to heterosexual transmission increased from 2% to 14% and of diagnosed HIV-1 infections from 4% to 23%. Reported HIV-1 infections inadequately reflect the extent of infection as only individuals choosing to be tested can be reported. HIV-1 infection acquired during heterosexual intercourse may be the result of transmission from partners who were infected by routes other than heterosexual transmission (first generation transmission) or of transmission from infected partners who were themselves infected through heterosexual intercourse (second generation transmission). Of the 417 cases in which AIDS was acquired through heterosexual intercourse, 42 (10%) were categorised as due to first generation transmission, 328 (79%) as second generation transmission--abroad, and 47 (11%) as second generation transmission--UK. Transmission categories could be allocated to 1438 of the 1620 reports of HIV infection: 17% were categorised as first generation, 74% as second generation--abroad, and 9% as second generation--UK. Heterosexual transmission of HIV infection is increasing, both in individuals acquiring their infection abroad as well as those who become infected in the United Kingdom.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1992

Second generation heterosexual transmission of HIV-1 infection.

Reports of 217 HIV-1 infected persons have been investigated. Initially, 122 were described as having no identified risk of HIV infection and 95 were described as probably infected through heterosexual intercourse. The sexual partners of 34 of these 95 cases were reported as having acquired their infection heterosexually in the UK but information on the risk status of the sexual partners of the remaining 61 cases was lacking. Telephone follow-up through microbiologists and clinicians resulted in the recategorisation of 132 cases. Interviews were conducted with 22 HIV infected heterosexuals without a major risk for HIV infection, either in themselves or their sexual partners, and who had no evidence of heterosexual exposure outside the UK. Interviews confirmed the categorisation of 15 cases (9 male, 6 female) as due to second generation HIV-1 infection ie, infection acquired through heterosexual intercourse in the UK with a partner who also became infected through heterosexual intercourse. A possible chain of transmission is described involving three of these 15 cases.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1992

[AIDS epidemiology in The Netherlands in persons infected through heterosexual contact].

Ten years after the start of the AIDS epidemic in the Netherlands the proportion of persons infected by heterosexual contacts among the total of AIDS cases diagnosed is small (7.4%). Up to December 1991 the cumulative totals of females and males in the Netherlands reported with the diagnosis and infected by heterosexual contact were 55 and 93, respectively. Of the 55 heterosexual females, 69% had the Dutch nationality, of the 93 heterosexual males, 67%. Considerable proportions of the numbers of AIDS patients in this group (males 47%, females 45%) were diagnosed in the four largest cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht). The remaining cases of AIDS diagnosed in this group were scattered throughout the country. Among heterosexual females a gradual increase of the number of AIDS cases diagnosed was observed since 1985. In the males there was no clear trend in the number of diagnoses since 1984. Of the 55 females, 19 originated from an area endemic for AIDS or had had sexual contacts with a person from such a region (34.6%). Among the 93 males this number was 29 (31.2%). Nineteen of the 55 females (34.6%) were known to have sexual contact with a person from the known risk groups. The same held true of 12 males (12.9%). Of the remaining 17 females (30.9%) and 52 males (55.9%) it was only known that they were heterosexual without further risk factors or risk contacts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1995

[HIV surveillance in an outpatient clinic for sexually transmissible diseases in Amsterdam, 1991-1994; low and stable prevalence among heterosexual clients].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the HIV prevalence among heterosexual attenders of a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and among subpopulations, including young gay men and ethnic minorities. SETTING: Outpatient clinic for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) of the Municipal Health Service of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. METHODS: Semi-annually in the period 1991-1994, blood samples given voluntarily and anonymously were tested for HIV antibodies and some characteristics were collected of approximately 1000 clinic attenders. RESULTS: Since 1991, 6766 clinic attenders were eligible for participation, of whom 6200 (92%) were actually tested. The overall HIV prevalence decreased from 3.9% in the first half of 1991 to 2.3% in the second half of 1994. Among heterosexual clinic attenders the prevalence remained stable below 1%, due mainly to visitors from abroad rather than to Dutch heterosexuals: 20 of the 23 HIV infected heterosexuals were not Dutch. None of these 23 seropositive persons knew of their HIV infection, mostly because they had not been tested previously. The HIV prevalence among gay men decreased over the years. In addition, the number of gay male attenders younger than 30 years decreased strongly over time. CONCLUSIONS: HIV infections among heterosexual STD clinic attenders are relatively few and are seen mainly among non-Dutch. We found no indications of an increase of the HIV prevalence among heterosexual clinic attenders. The results among young gay men are suggestive of a shift towards safer sexual behaviour in this group.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

HIV infection and risk behaviors among heterosexuals in alcohol treatment programs.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and high-risk behaviors among heterosexuals in alcohol treatment. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Five public alcohol treatment centers. SUBJECTS: Consecutive sample of 888 heterosexual clients entering treatment between October 1990 and December 1991. Respondents were 51% black, 10% Hispanic, 33% white, and 76% male. The overall response rate was 68%. MEASUREMENTS: Structured interview and serotesting for HIV antibodies. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence of HIV infection was 5% (95% confidence interval, 3% to 6%). There were no significant differences in rates of infection by age, gender, or race. The prevalence of infection in heterosexual respondents without a history of injection drug use was 3% in men and 4% in women, several times higher than published estimates from a similar community-based heterosexual sample. Unsafe sexual practices were common: 54% of respondents reported multiple sexual partners in the previous year, 97% of nonmonogamous respondents did not use condoms during all sexual encounters, and few respondents consistently asked new sexual partners about previous high-risk behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: There is a substantial prevalence of HIV infection among heterosexual clients in San Francisco (Calif) alcohol treatment programs, much of which is not associated with injection drug use. Because of this and the high prevalence of unsafe sexual behaviors, there is a relatively high likelihood of heterosexual spread of HIV among the large population of clients seeking treatment for alcohol dependency. Interventions to prevent HIV spread should become a standard part of alcohol treatment programs.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗

PubMed2006

Childhood family correlates of heterosexual and homosexual marriages: a national cohort study of two million Danes.

Children who experience parental divorce are less likely to marry heterosexually than those growing up in intact families; however, little is known about other childhood factors affecting marital choices. We studied childhood correlates of first marriages (heterosexual since 1970, homosexual since 1989) in a national cohort of 2 million 18-49 year-old Danes. In multivariate analyses, persons born in the capital area were significantly less likely to marry heterosexually, but more likely to marry homosexually, than their rural-born peers. Heterosexual marriage was significantly linked to having young parents, small age differences between parents, stable parental relationships, large sibships, and late birth order. For men, homosexual marriage was associated with having older mothers, divorced parents, absent fathers, and being the youngest child. For women, maternal death during adolescence and being the only or youngest child or the only girl in the family increased the likelihood of homosexual marriage. Our study provides population-based, prospective evidence that childhood family experiences are important determinants of heterosexual and homosexual marriage decisions in adulthood.

Child↗