Two to tango: Sexual health and sex partners at high risk of sexually transmitted infections

Relatively little is known about the sexual health lifestyles practiced within the context of sexual partnerships deemed to be at high risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Establishing gender distinctions in sexual health lifestyles within partnerships furthers the understanding of sexual health practices and outcomes. Bourdieu's concept of social space may help explain the existence of sexual health lifestyle differences within sexual partnerships. The purpose of this dissertation is to examine whether social space and health lifestyles differ significantly between men and women within sexual partnerships and to see whether these variables are associated with sexual health outcomes (inconsistent condom use, pregnancy, or STI). The data used for this dissertation are from a sample that consists of 105 African American couples (210 individuals) deemed to be at high risk of STI who were recruited from an urban public health department in the South. It was found that, while people in sexual relationships are typically socially similar, there appear to be variations of social space, sexual health practices, and sexual health outcomes for this specific group. Differences in partners' social space and sexual health lifestyle practices were associated with sexual health outcomes. Social space within partnerships appears to play an important role in the adoption of sexual health lifestyles and in the subsequent sexual health outcomes.