Sexual Diversity Flashcards
Why is it important to be specific when talking about sexual behaviours as a doctor?
Because ‘sex’ may mean different things to different people
What can the varying understandings of ‘sex’ lead to?
- Difficulties getting accurate sexual history
- Difficulty discussing sexual behaviour with patients
What is it important to do when using talking about sexual behaviours?
- Be specific
- Check patient’s understanding
What does NATSAL stand for?
National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles
How many times has NATSAL been conducted in Britain?
3 times
What is NATSAL?
A survey asking questions about people’s sexual behaviour
What changes have been seen since the first NATSAL survey?
- Increase in the number of heterosexual partners
- More people reporting oral and anal sex
- Decrease in how often people say they have sex
What changes have been seen since the first NATSAL survey in terms of same-sex relationships?
- More people reporting a same-sex experience
- More acceptance of same-sex relationships
What changes have been seen since the first NATSAL survey in terms of STI prevention?
- Higher incidence of consistent condom use in the past four weeks
- More HIV tests and visits to STD clinics
Why is it difficult to get accurate data from surveys like NATSAL?
- People may be embarrassed/reluctant to report their behaviours
- People may not be able to recall all sexual encounters
- People under 16 and over 75 were not included
What does lack of reliable data mean?
We are unable to define truly ‘normal’ behaviour
Why should ‘normal behaviour’ not be defined and applied to patients?
It implies that some behaviour is seen as abnormal or unacceptable to us
Why is it important to recognise the diversity in sexual behaviours?
- To avoid stereotypes
- Behaviours change over time
- What is ‘normal’ for one person or ‘abnormal’ may not be for another
