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.
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O'Connor, M. L. (1999). "Sexual Network Patterns Contribute to Racial Disparities in Disease Risk. Family". Planning Perspectives. 31 (6): 309–310.
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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.
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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.
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