Sexually transmitted infections, blood-borne viruses and risk behaviour in an Australian senior high school population—the SHLiRP study

Sexual Health ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis J. Bowden ◽  
Elissa J. O'Keefe ◽  
Ruth Primrose ◽  
Marian J. Currie
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Senior High School ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
Herpes Simplex Viruses ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
School Population ◽  
Hsv 1

Objectives: To determine the feasibility and acceptability of screening for sexually transmitted infections and blood-borne viruses and to study the profile of sexual activity and other risk behaviours in a senior high school population. Methods: In this descriptive study we provided sexual health education and screening to students from two senior high schools in the Australian Capital Territory. We collected behavioural data using a self-administered questionnaire. Urines and swabs were tested for Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), Neisseria gonorrhoea (Ng), Trichomonas vaginalis (Tv) and human papilloma virus (HPV). Blood specimens were tested for hepatitis B and C, HIV, herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and syphilis. Results: A total of 795 students participated (31% of the enrolled population; female to male ratio 60 : 40) and 67.0% were sexually active. Of 795 students, 644 (81.0%) were screened. Rates of infection were Ct 1.1% (95% CI: 0.4–2.6), HPV 11.7% (95% CI: 7.4–17.3), HSV-1 32.5% (95% CI: 28.9–36.3), HSV-2 2.4% (95% CI: 1.3–3.9), hepatitis B surface antigen 0.3% (95% CI: 0.04–1.1) and hepatitis C antibodies 0.7% (95% CI: 0.07–1.6). Only 22.3% (95% CI: 19.3–25.7) of students had immunity to hepatitis B. There were no cases of HIV, gonorrhoea, trichomoniasis or syphilis. Of the sexually active students, 49.2% (95% CI: 38.9–59.2%) reported never or only sometimes using condoms, 41.5% (95% CI: 32.2–52.3%) reported unsafe drinking, 33.3% (95% CI: 23.9–43.1%) were smokers and 1.9% (95% CI: 0.2–7.0%) reported injecting drug use. Conclusions: Rates of STI and blood-borne viruses and immunity to hepatitis B were low in this population, but unsafe sex and other risk behaviours were common. We have demonstrated that STI screening, including serological testing, was well accepted in a senior high school population.

scholarly journals Primary prevention of sexually transmitted infections in Switzerland: practices of family physicians and their determinants—a national cross-sectional survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e032950
Author(s):  
Hanna Vautrin ◽  
Nicolas Senn ◽  
Christine Cohidon
Keyword(s):  
Primary Prevention ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Sexual Life ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Active Monitoring ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexually Transmitted

ObjectivesTo describe the activities of general practitioners (GPs) pertaining to primary prevention in the field of affective and sexual life, studying the advice they provide as well as their vaccination practices.DesignCross-sectional national survey.Setting/participantsThe study was carried out using the Swiss Primary Care Active Monitoring GPs’ network, a national GP network created in 2012. One hundred and seventy Swiss GPs, from a random sample from professional lists stratified by canton, participated in the present study.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrevention practices against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) performed by GPs through advice provided as well as their vaccination practices. Predictive factor of these practices through their links with the doctors’ relevant characteristics and their opinions about STI prevention.ResultsApproximately 80% consider prevention in the area of affective and sexual life to be part of their duty and discuss it easily with patients. Most of them spontaneously give advice regarding STIs during a routine consultation. Regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) immunisation in adults, almost half of GPs report never doing it, while almost 75% often or always immunise their adult patients against hepatitis B. Higher numbers of consultations per day are associated with vaccinating more adults against HPV (OR 1.13 (1.05 to 1.23)) and against hepatitis A (OR 1.17 (1.05 to 1.31)). Vaccinating children against hepatitis B is associated with practising in rural areas (OR 4.64 (1.20 to 17.98)). GPs practising in the French-speaking region of Switzerland immunise children less against HPV (OR 0.40 (0.20 to 0.80)). Longer consultations are associated with providing advice on affective and sexual life during a first consultation (OR 1.08 (1.01 to 1.14)).ConclusionSwiss GPs are involved in primary prevention against STIs and consider it as their responsibility. Prevention practices are associated with GPs’ favourable opinions on prevention.

scholarly journals 423. Self-Reported Screening for Rectal Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Men Who Have Sex with Men

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S212-S213
Author(s):  
Timothy William. Menza ◽  
Lauren Lipira ◽  
Amisha Bhattarai ◽  
Joseph Ramirez ◽  
Roberto Orellana
Keyword(s):  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Hiv Status ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Hiv Negative ◽  
Hiv Positive Men

Abstract Background Rectal gonorrhea and Chlamydia are common and predict HIV acquisition among men who have sex with men (MSM); however, screening for rectal sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is not routine. Methods In 2017, we recruited sexually-active MSM in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area through venue-based sampling. Our outcome of interest was self-reported rectal STI screening in the prior 12 months. Stratified by HIV status, we assessed the prevalence and demographic, healthcare, clinical, and behavioral predictors of screening. Results Of 448 participants, 168 (37.5%) reported rectal STI screening. One hundred twenty-seven (35.8%) of 355 HIV-negative men, 41 (58.6%) of 70 HIV-positive men, and none of 23 men who did not know their HIV status reported screening. Among HIV-negative men, having a healthcare provider who offered HIV testing (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR]=2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.43, 3.04), a syphilis diagnosis (aPR=1.32; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.69), use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (aPR=1.57; 95% CI 1.21, 2.04), and condomless anal sex with casual partners in the prior 12 months (aPR=1.74; 95% CI: 1.36, 2.22) independently predicted screening for rectal STI in multivariable analysis. HIV-positive men who reported having a provider who always or often initiates conversations about sex were significantly more likely to report screening compared with men who did not have such a provider (aPR=1.48; 95% CI: 1.06, 2.06). Conclusion Rectal STI screening is not universal in a venue-based sample of sexually-active MSM. Implementing innovative, acceptable, and accessible screening practices and improving provider comfort with talking about sex are paramount to increasing rectal STI screening. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

The Balga Venture

1987 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 26-30
Author(s):  
W. Kerr
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Senior High School ◽  
Single Parent Families ◽  
Aboriginal Students ◽  
School Population ◽  
Initial Move ◽  
Surrounding Areas ◽  
Housing Estates ◽  
Special Responsibility

Balga Senior High School is located in the Perth suburb of Balga and draws many of its students from surrounding areas which are made up of Homeswest flats or Homeswest Housing Estates. Many of the students who attend Balga Senior High are from low income single parent families and as such the school is mindful of the program it offers. Out of a school population of about 900, seventy would be Aboriginal. The reasons behind the initial move to appoint a teacher with special responsibility to Aboriginal students to Balga Senior High School can probably be traced back to 1984, when Aboriginal parents in the Balga area expressed concern about current education trends and their implications for their children.

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