Religion and the Risks of Sexually Transmissible Infections: Evidence from Britain

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sefa Awaworyi Churchill ◽  
Samuelson Appau ◽  
Janet Exornam Ocloo
Keyword(s):  
Sexually Transmissible Infections

scholarly journals Management rates of sexually transmissible infections by Australian general practitioners, 2000–2012

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony J. Santella ◽  
Allan Pollack ◽  
Christopher Harrison ◽  
Shailendra N. Sawleshwarkar ◽  
Helena C. Britt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Practitioners ◽  
Genital Warts ◽  
Risk Identification ◽  
National Study ◽  
Major City ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Simplex Virus ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Risk Communities

Background In Australia, general practitioners (GPs) manage the majority of sexually transmissible infections (STIs). Most STIs are diagnosed and treated by GPs as a result of symptom recognition or risk identification. We aimed to determine how frequently six common STIs were managed by GPs, the characteristics of the GPs and patients, and any changes over time. Methods: Data from the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) program for April 2000–March 2012 were analysed. BEACH is a national study of GP activity. The overall management rates of genital herpes (herpes simplex virus, HSV), genital warts, HIV, chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis), gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) and syphilis were calculated. Results: In total, 11 784 GPs recorded details of 1 178 400 patient encounters. These included: 115 cases of genital HSV per 100 000 encounters, 92 of genital warts, 67 of HIV, 39 of chlamydia, 6 of gonorrhoea and 7 of syphilis. Higher management rates occurred among patients who were male, 15–24 years old, more socially advantaged, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, resident in a major city or of English-speaking background. GPs who were female and those aged under 60 years had higher STI management rates than their counterparts. Conclusions: HSV and warts were the most common STIs managed. Lower management rates for the other STIs may reflect lower incidence or lower testing rates, because these other STIs are frequently asymptomatic. It is important to determine whether existing approaches effectively target the most at-risk communities and what barriers to presentation exist.

scholarly journals Australian sexually transmissible infection and HIV testing guidelines for asymptomatic men who have sex with men 2014: a review of the evidence

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 217 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Templeton ◽  
Phillip Read ◽  
Rajesh Varma ◽  
Christopher Bourne
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid Amplification ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Chlamydia Testing ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Time Required ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection ◽  
Asymptomatic Men

Men who have sex with men (MSM) in Australia and overseas are disproportionately affected by sexually transmissible infections (STIs), including HIV. Many STIs are asymptomatic, so regular testing and management of asymptomatic MSM remains an important component of effective control. We reviewed articles from January 2009–May 2013 to inform the 2014 update of the 2010 Australian testing guidelines for asymptomatic MSM. Key changes include: a recommendation for pharyngeal chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) testing, use of nucleic acid amplification tests alone for gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) testing (without gonococcal culture), more frequent (up to four times a year) gonorrhoea and chlamydia testing in sexually active HIV-positive MSM, time required since last void for chlamydia first-void urine collection specified at 20 min, urethral meatal swab as an alternative to first-void urine for urethral chlamydia testing, and the use of electronic reminders to increase STI and HIV retesting rates among MSM.

Sexual risk assessment in general practice: evidence from a New South Wales survey

Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asaduzzaman Khan ◽  
David Plummer ◽  
Rafat Hussain ◽  
Victor Minichiello
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Sexual Risk ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Sexual History ◽  
History Taking ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Sexual History Taking ◽  
Sexual Histories

Background: Physicians’ inadequate involvement in sexual risk assessment has the potential to miss many asymptomatic cases. The present study was conducted to explore sexual risk assessment by physicians in clinical practice and to identify barriers in eliciting sexual histories from patients. Methods: A stratified random sample of 15% of general practitioners (GP) from New South Wales was surveyed to assess their management of sexually transmissible infections (STI). In total, 409 GP participated in the survey with a response rate of 45.4%. Results: Although nearly 70% of GP regularly elicited a sexual history from commercial sex workers whose presenting complaint was not an STI, this history taking was much lower (<10%) among GP for patients who were young or heterosexual. About 23% never took a sexual history from Indigenous patients and 19% never elicited this history from lesbian patients. Lack of time was the most commonly cited barrier in sexual history taking (55%), followed by a concern that patients might feel uncomfortable if a sexual history was taken (49%). Other constraints were presence of another person (39%) and physician’s embarrassment (15%). About 19% of GP indicated that further training in sexual history taking could improve their practice. Conclusions: The present study identifies inconsistent involvement by GP in taking sexual histories, which can result in missed opportunities for early detection of many STI. Options for overcoming barriers to taking sexual histories by GP are discussed.

Potential and demonstrated impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexually transmissible infections: Republication

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-120
Author(s):  
Olaitan T. Ogunbodede ◽  
Iryna Zablotska-Manos ◽  
David A. Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Sexually Transmissible Infections

scholarly journals Awareness of and attitudes to sexually transmissible infections among gay men and other men who have sex with men in England: a qualitative study

Sexual Health ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Datta ◽  
David Reid ◽  
Gwenda Hughes ◽  
Catherine H. Mercer ◽  
Sonali Wayal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Gay Men ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
The Body ◽  
Modes Of Transmission ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Transmission Mechanisms ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Health Promotion Interventions

Background Rates of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) have increased over recent years among gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in England and Wales. HIV diagnoses remain high in this group and men with diagnosed HIV are disproportionally affected by STIs. MSM are therefore a priority for health promotion efforts to reduce STIs. Understanding awareness of and attitudes towards STIs is essential in developing health promotion interventions to reduce prevalence. Methods: Eight focus group discussions (FGDs) with a total of 61 MSM in four English cities included a ranking exercise to gauge how ‘scary’ participants thought 11 STIs are. The exercise sought insights into participants’ awareness of, knowledge about and attitudes towards STIs and blood-borne viruses (BBVs). FGDs were audio-recorded, transcribed and data analysed thematically. Results: All groups ranked HIV and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) as the scariest infections, and the majority ranked syphilis and herpes as highly scary. Scabies was ranked as the least scary by most groups. Rankings were dependent on how well informed participants felt about an infection, its transmission mechanisms, health affect and the availability of vaccines and treatment. Personal experience or that of friends influenced perceptions of particular infections, as did their prevalence, treatment options, visibility of symptoms and whether an STI could be cleared from the body. Conclusions: The study findings suggest that, although some MSM are well informed, there is widespread lack of knowledge about the prevalence, modes of transmission, health implications and treatment regimens of particular STIs.

Attitudes to chlamydia screening in general practice among Australian university students: a pilot study

Sexual Health ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 359 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernadette Zakher ◽  
Melissa Kang
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
General Practice ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Young People ◽  
University Students ◽  
Risk Group ◽  
Chlamydia Infection ◽  
Chlamydia Screening ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections

Background: Chlamydia screening of sexually active young people in general practice is key to the Australian National Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2005–2008. Overseas research indicates that young people have positive attitudes towards opportunistic screening by a general practitioner (GP). This pilot study aims to investigate the attitudes of Australian university students towards chlamydia screening in primary care. Methods: Students (16–25 years) attending a class in one of three faculties at the University of Sydney participated by completing a questionnaire, which collected information about demographics, sexual history, chlamydia knowledge, attitudes towards and preferences for chlamydia screening. Results: One hundred and eighty-five students (78% female) returned questionnaires (participation rate 92%). Arts students were younger, more likely to be sexually active and to report having little or no knowledge of chlamydia. Males in the study were less likely to have had sex as a group compared to the group of females in the sample. Science students were also less likely to have had sex compared to their counterparts in other faculties. Seventy-six percent of students were comfortable with opportunistic testing for chlamydia by their GP. Reasons for not being comfortable included ‘don’t think I’m at risk’ (65%) and ‘not comfortable discussing sexual matters with my GP’ (38%). Although comfortable with GP-based testing, the likelihood of being tested in the upcoming year for most students was low, as was personal concern about chlamydia infection. Conclusions: Findings suggest that the most at risk group for chlamydia infection is not well educated about their risk of infection. The limited numbers of tests among sexually active individuals in this sample indicate that health practitioners are not screening this high-risk group for chlamydia infection.

Associations between economic dependence, sexual behaviours, and sexually transmitted infections among young, Black, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men living with and without HIV in Jackson, Mississippi, USA

Sexual Health ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalysha Closson ◽  
Rachel Vickers Smith ◽  
Gbolahan Olarewaju ◽  
Richard Crosby
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Relationship Power ◽  
Hiv Status ◽  
Economic Dependence ◽  
Sti Prevention ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Sexual Behaviours ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Sex With Men

Background In the USA, young Black gay, bisexual or other men who have sex with men (YBMSM) bear the largest burden of HIV incidence. The aim of this study is to examine the independent associations between economic dependency on a sexual partner and several HIV risk behaviours and sexual health outcomes among YBMSM living in Jackson, Mississippi, USA. Methods: Baseline data from 589 YBMSM, with a median age of 22.0 years (IQR = 15–25) participating in a brief sex-positive HIV and STI prevention intervention, were used to measure the association between six sexual behaviours, sexually transmissible infections (STIs) status at baseline and economic dependence. Bivariate χ2 associations were tested and regression models adjusted for education level (≤ high school), employment and HIV-status. Results: In regressions, of the six sexual behaviours reported in the last 90 days and six STIs tested at baseline, economically dependent YBMSM were more likely to report condomless anal receptive sex (aOR = 2.19, 95%CI = 1.25–3.83), ≥3 partners as a top (aOR = 1.99, 95%CI = 1.17–340), ≥3 sex partners as a bottom (aOR = 2.07, 95%CI = 1.24–3.45), ≥3 sex acts as a bottom (aOR = 2.10, 95%CI = 1.16–3.82) and testing positive for oral gonorrhoea (aOR = 2.39, 95%CI = 1.18–4.83) after controlling for HIV status, employment and education. Conclusions: Interventions should consider how poverty, unemployment and economic dependence interact to influence relationship power imbalances, condom use and sexual positioning agency, and sexual health for key populations of MSM.

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