Sexual network

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A sexual network is a social network that is defined by the sexual relationships within a set of individuals.

Studies and discoveries

Like other forms of social networks, sexual networks can be formally studied using the mathematics of graph theory and network theory.[1][2]

Recent epidemiological studies [3] have investigated sexual networks, and suggest that the statistical properties of sexual networks are crucial to the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Sub-graphs, both large and small, can be defined within the overall sexual network graph; for example, people who frequent particular bars or clubs, belong to a particular ethnic group or take part in a particular type of sexual activity, or are part of a particular outbreak of an STD. In particular, assortative mixing between people with large numbers of sexual partners seems to be an important factor in the spread of STD.

In a surprising result, mathematical models predict that the sexual network graph for the human race appears to have a single giant component that indirectly links almost all people who have had more than one sexual partner, and a great many of those who have had only one sexual partner (if their one sexual partner was themselves part of the giant component).[citation needed].

For more detailed epidemiological work, the time sequence of sexual contacts is important.

See also

References

  1. ^ Liljeros, Fredrik; Christofer R. Edling; Luis A. Nunes Amaral (2003). "Sexual networks: implications for the transmission of sexually transmitted infections". Microbes and Infection. Science direct. 5: 189–196. doi:10.1016/s1286-4579(02)00058-8. 
  2. ^ Liljeros, Fredrik; Christofer R. Edling; Luis A. Nunes Amaral; H. Eugene Stanley; Yvonne Aberg (2001). "The web of human sexual contacts". Nature. 411: 907–908. doi:10.1038/35082140. PMID 11418846. 
  3. ^ Rocha, L.E.C.; Fredrik Liljeros; Petter Holme (2010). "Information dynamics shape the sexual networks of Internet-mediated prostitution". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 107 (13): 5706–5713. doi:10.1073/pnas.0914080107. 

Further reading

  • M Kretzschmar. "Sexual network structure and sexually transmitted disease prevention: a modeling perspective". Sexually Transmitted Diseases volume 27, number 10 (November 2000): pages 627– 35.
  • De, P.; et al. (2004). "Sexual network analysis of a gonorrhea outbreak". Sex Transm Infect. 80: 280–285. 
  • Bearman, P. S.; Moody, J.; Stovel, K. (2004). "Chains of Affection: The Structure of Adolescent Romantic and Sexual Networks.". American Journal of Sociology. 110 (1): 44–91. doi:10.1086/386272. 
  • L E C Rocha, F Liljeros and P Holme Information dynamics shape the sexual networks of Internet-mediated prostitution. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences free online (March 2010).
  • Apostolopoulos, Y.; Sönmez, S.; Shattell, M.; Kronenfeld, J.; Smith, D.; Stanton, S. (2011). "Cruising for Truckers on Highways and the Internet: Sexual Networks and Infection Risk". AIDS Education and Prevention. 23 (3): 249–266. doi:10.1521/aeap.2011.23.3.249. 
  • O'Connor, M. L. (1999). "Sexual Network Patterns Contribute to Racial Disparities in Disease Risk. Family". Planning Perspectives. 31 (6): 309. doi:10.2307/2991545. 
  • Choudhury, B.; Risley, C.; Ghani, A.; Bishop, C.; Ward, H.; Fenton, K.; Spratt, B. "Identification of individuals with gonorrhoea within sexual networks: a population-based study". Lancet. 368: 139–146. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69003-X. 
  • Day, S. S.; Ward, H. H. (1998). "Sexual networks: The integration of social and genetic data". Social Science & Medicine. 47 (12): 1981. doi:10.1016/s0277-9536(98)00306-2. 
  • Nyanzi, S., Nyanzi, B., Kalina, B., & Pool, R. (n.d). Mobility, sexual networks and exchange among bodabodamen in southwest Uganda. Taylor & Francis Ltd. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
  • Morris, Martina; Zavisca, Jane; Dean, Laura (1995). "Social and sexual networks: Their role in the spread of HIV/AIDS among young gay men". AIDS Education and Prevention. 7 (Suppl): 24–35. PMID 8664095. 

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