Restrained motherhood: the Lebanese state in times of changing demographics and moral values.

The socially engrained notion that motherhood is essential to womanhood is strongly portrayed in how states view women's political participation through their reproductive capacities. In Lebanon, the state's political agenda influences laws and policies that restrict or encourage women's procreation, depending on their nationality, sect, marital, and legal status. Since 1943, Lebanon's system of proportionally allocating parliamentary seats to sectarian political parties, based on their population size, has spurred fears of demographic changes across sects.

Undertaking the first online sexuality survey among private university students in Lebanon – Process, challenges, and lessons learned.

Background: The taboo surrounding reproductive and sexual health in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region, specifically among unmarried youth, has resulted in an incomplete and inaccurate documentation of the status of youth sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Documenting regional research processes and successes can support SRH researchers in promoting evidence-based services and local policies. This paper describes the process, challenges and lessons learned during the first online research study in the MENA to assess university students’ sexual practices, values and perceptions.

Systemic violence against Syrian refugee women and the myth of effective intrapersonal interventions.

Since the uprising in Syria in March 2011, over 4.3 million Syrians have fled to neighboring countries. Over a million have sought refuge in Lebanon, constituting almost a quarter of the Lebanese population and becoming the largest refugee population per capita in the world.

Postponing sexual debut among university youth: how do men and women differ in their perceptions, values and non-penetrative sexual practices?

This study aimed to investigate gender differences in reasoning influencing the postponing of sexual debut among university youth in Lebanon. Findings aimed to develop understandings that might help inform future research on, and programme implementation of, young people's reproductive and sexual health. A cross-sectional survey of sexuality and sexual practices, attitudes and perceptions was conducted among private university students in Lebanon using a secure online method.

Factors associated with alcohol and/or drug use at sexual debut among sexually active university students: cross-sectional findings from Lebanon.

Background: Sexual activity accompanied by substance use can impair youth decision-making and enhance risk-taking behaviors. Less is known, however, about the sexual values, perceptions and subsequent sexual practices of youth whose sexual debut occurs while using alcohol/drugs.

Methods: A cross-sectional anonymous online survey was conducted in April-August 2012 among undergraduate and graduate university students (aged 18 to 30) attending the 4th largest private university in Beirut.

Giving consent without getting informed: a cross-cultural issue in research ethics.

Informed consent forms (ICFs) maintain the integrity of research ethics and preserve participants' rights. Using cross-sectional online survey data on sexuality and sexual practices of private university students from Lebanon, this paper questions whether participants thoroughly read ICFs, and whether time taken to read ICFs is associated with data completeness. A total of 2,534 surveys were completed; a median time of 18.