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 infections (STIs). 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 STI. In particular, assortative mixing between people with large numbers of sexual partners seems to be an important factor in the spread of an STI.
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
- Bugchasing
- Contact tracing
- Small world experiment
- Social network
References
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 (4): 280–285. PMID 15295126.
- 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. S2CID 13493350.
- 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" (PDF). AIDS Education and Prevention. 23 (3): 249–266. PMID 21696243.
- O'Connor, M. L. (1999). "Sexual Network Patterns Contribute to Racial Disparities in Disease Risk. Family". Planning Perspectives. 31 (6): 309–310. JSTOR 2991545.
- Choudhury, B.; Risley, C.; Ghani, A.; Bishop, C.; Ward, H.; Fenton, K.; Spratt, B. (2006). "Identification of individuals with gonorrhoea within sexual networks: a population-based study". Lancet. 368 (9530): 139–146. S2CID 21770641.
- Day, S. S.; Ward, H. H. (1998). "Sexual networks: The integration of social and genetic data". Social Science & Medicine. 47 (12): 1981–92. PMID 10075241.
- 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.