McDaid, L. , Hunt, K. , McMillan, L., Russell, S., Milne, D., Ilett, R. and Lorimer, K. (2019) Absence of holistic sexual health understandings among men and women in deprived areas of Scotland: qualitative study. BMC Public Health, 19, 299. (doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-6558-y) (PMID:30866882) (PMCID:PMC6417029)
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Abstract
Background: There is a growing evidence base for the need for a holistic approach to sexual health improvement, but the challenges for realising this in the ‘real world’ may be harder in some communities than others. We examined sexual health understandings and behaviours among adult men and women in deprived areas of Scotland. Methods: Thematic analysis, using the constant comparative method, of qualitative, semi-structured in-depth interviews with 19 men and 16 women aged 18–40 years from the most deprived areas of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, and three Highland towns. Results: Even though most had been shown images designed to facilitate discussion about sexual consent and verbal/physical abuse, when first asked, participants overwhelmingly equated ‘sexual health’ with the avoidance of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy. Most of the women interviewed went on to locate their accounts of sexual health within a broader, social account of relationships that in an ideal world, in contrast with their everyday lives, were based on respect and freedom from violence. They expressed desires for more positive relationships, based on open communication and trust, choice and freedom from coercion. A few men did accept a broader definition of sexual health, but others actively resisted it and placed the onus to enact choices and freedom from coercion on women rather than men. Conclusions: In the first UK study to examine understandings of holistic sexual health among adults living in deprived areas, we found a disjuncture between men and women. These findings suggest that, as a society, we are failing to equip people to enhance their own, and others’, sexual health and wellbeing in its broadest sense. New efforts to emphasise the breadth of sexual health are required, but addressing these complex issues, especially where there are negative underlying gender norms to challenge, will require multi-level interventions targeting individual, community and system levels.
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Hunt, Professor Kathryn and McDaid, Professor Lisa and Ilett, Dr Rosie |
Authors: | McDaid, L., Hunt, K., McMillan, L., Russell, S., Milne, D., Ilett, R., and Lorimer, K. |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health |
Journal Name: | BMC Public Health |
Publisher: | BioMed Central |
ISSN: | 1471-2458 |
ISSN (Online): | 1471-2458 |
Copyright Holders: | Copyright © 2019 The Authors |
First Published: | First published in BMC Public Health 19:299 |
Publisher Policy: | Reproduced under a Creative Commons License |
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