Sexually Transmitted Infections in Canada: Recent Resurgence Threatens National Goals
David M. Patrick, University of British Columbia, Thomas Wong and Robbie A. Jordan, Division of Sexual Health Promotion & STD Prevention and Control, Health Canada.

This paper presents recent data on sexually transmitted infections (STI) in Canada and analyzes the current situation in relation to national goals for STI prevention set in 1997. While epidemiological trends at that time indicated that, with the exception of HIV, most of the reportable STIs were either slowly declining or close to elimination, recent trends are less favourable. The rate of decline in new HIV infections among adults appears to have levelled off. Similarly the number of reports of new HIV infections among men who have sex with men, which declined rapidly between 1995 and 1998 has also plateaued with a slight increase in 2000. The period since 1997 has also seen broadly-based increases in the rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea and new localized outbreaks of infectious syphilis. In addition, recent data for the nonreportable STIs suggest that large numbers of Canadians are infected with herpes simplex virus or human papilloma virus. Although STI vaccine research holds promise for the future, evidence-based primary prevention programs to promote and facilitate condom use and other safer sex practices remain key to STI reduction in Canada. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2000; 9: 149-168)

Differences Between Positive and Negative Sexual Cognitions
Christie A. Little and E. Sandra Byers, University of New Brunswick.

The current study investigates factors that influence individuals to appraise their experience of the same sexual cognition (i.e., sexual thought or fantasy) as positive on one occasion and negative on another. Participants were 35 men and 50 women who experienced at least one of three sexual cognitions as positive and negative under different circumstances. Participants completed a questionnaire that assessed both the frequencies of these cognitions and the factors associated with their being experienced positively (positive sexual cognitions) or negatively (negative sexual cognitions). Both sexes reported having experienced the positive sexual cognitions more often than the negative ones although the men had the positive cognitions, but not the negative ones, more often than did the women. The positive cognition was more likely than the negative one to occur in a public place, to be intentional (as opposed to being thought of unbidden), to last longer, to occur when the participant was in a better mood, to be associated with more positive feelings and more attraction toward the person in the cognition, and to result in better feelings about self and higher sexual arousal. In response to an open-ended question, participants identified the affect surrounding the sexual cognition as the most important factor in determining their appraisal of it as positive or negative. These and other findings from the study highlight the importance of distinguishing between positive and negative sexual cognitions in research on sexual thoughts and fantasies. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2000; 9: 167-169)

Gender Differences in Survey Respondents’ Written Definitions of date Rape
Norine Verberg, St. Francis Xavier University, Eileen Wood, Wilfrid Laurier University, Serge Desmarais, University of Guelph, and Charlene Senn, University of Windsor.

Qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted on 170 participants’ written definitions of date rape. The qualitative analysis identified several key themes that characterized womens’ and men’s perceptions of date rape including the issues of consent, use of force, the sex acts that constitute date rape, and the context in which they occur. Thematic analysis also indicated whether participants’ perceived date rape to be gender neutral or gender specific, an important issue given the feminist discourse on this matter that accompanied replacement of the gendered term "rape" in the Canadian Criminal Code with the new, non-gendered offense of sexual assault. While a majority of respondents used terms that indicated a gender-neutral perspective, the sexes differed in that a much greater percentage of women than men advanced a gender specific understanding of rape. The findings are used to assess the extent to which the feminist perspectives that shaped changes in Canadian rape law in the 1980s are now embedded in public perceptions of date rape and to consider possible implications for prevention educators. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2000; 9: 181-190)

Socio-Economic Outcomes of Teen Pregnancy and Parenthood: A Review of the Literature
Mary Bissell, The Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN).

This paper reviews the literature examining the socio-economic consequences of teen pregnancy and childbearing as well as the birth intentions of teenage women who have become mothers. The literature indicates that women who become teen mothers, as compared to women who delay childbearing past the teen years, are more likely to be socio-economically disadvantaged. However, research increasingly suggests that socio-economic disadvantage is correlated with but not necessarily a consequence of early childbearing depending on the circumstances of the women in question. In addition, the literature suggests that a range of factors, including cultural norms and individual needs, can impact on the childrearing decisions of teenage women. It is concluded that policies and programs aimed at reducing teen pregnancy rates and eliminating the negative consequences experienced by teen mothers and their children are unlikely to be fully effective unless they realistically address the socio-economic inequities faced by many young women in Canada. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2000; 191-204)

Syphilis Elimination in Canada: If Not Now, When?
Thomas Wong and Robbie A. Jordan, Division of Sexual Health Promotion & STD Prevention & Control, Health Canada.

Recent outbreaks of syphilis in British Columbia and adjacent regions have contributed to an increase in the incidence of infectious syphilis in Canada. This resurgence follows a long period of decline to the low point reached in 1996 and 1997. The synergistic relationship between syphilis and HIV infection is one among many reasons for Canada to now expand the previously stated goal of low level containment by actively pursuing a strategy to eliminate endemic syphilis. Canada is in a favourable position to achieve this goal which will require adequate funding for prevention efforts, efficient case management and partner notification, enhanced surveillance to ensure rapid response to outbreaks, coordinated support of provincial and territorial health departments, and involvement of community organizations and agencies (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2000; 205-210)