First results of the national survey “Contexts of Sexualities in France 2023”

The essential

Social, legal, economic and technological changes in French society over the last few decades have had an impact on representations and practices in the field of sexuality and sexual health. In order to gain a better understanding of these changes, the ANRS Emerging Infectious Diseases program has initiated and financed the “Contexte des sexualités en France” 2023 (CSF-2023) research project, led by researchers from Inserm and Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, with a multidisciplinary team. This is the 4th study on this subject in France, the last dating back to 2006.

Three themes structure this research:

• To study the diversification of sexual representations, practices and trajectories in a social context profoundly marked by the evolution of relations between women and men, by changes in lifestyles, by the development of digital spaces, by issues linked to sexual consent and the evolution of the normative framework in this field.
• Analyze the effect of living conditions on sexual trajectories, by observing how family, economic, professional, administrative and residential situations contribute to the development of new practices, to shaping the ability to negotiate a chosen sexuality and safe relationships, and to access sexual and reproductive health resources.
• Analyze the positive and/or negative relationships between different dimensions of sexuality and health status (mental health, chronic illness or functional limitations) at different stages of life. The research also examines new ways of accessing the healthcare system, in terms of sexuality education, choice and access to prevention tools, and recourse to treatment via digital platforms.

Finally, CSF-2023 is designed to provide key indicators to plan the national sexual health strategy up to 2030.