scholarly journals Sexual health of homeless youth: prevalence and correlates of sexually transmissible infections

Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly A. Tyler ◽  
Les B. Whitbeck ◽  
Xiaojin Chen ◽  
Kurt Johnson
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Homeless Youth ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Midwestern Usa ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Unit Increase ◽  
Sexual Histories

Background: The study examined risk factors for having ever contracted sexually transmissible infections (STI) among a high-risk sample in midwestern USA. Methods: A cross sectional survey was conducted among 428 homeless youth aged 16–19 years. Assessed correlates included child maltreatment, street exposure, sexual histories, street experiences and substance use. Results: Multivariate analyses revealed that males were 86% less likely to have had STI compared with females (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.14; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.06–0.31). Blacks were almost four times more likely (AOR = 3.71; 95% CI = 1.80–7.63) and other races were over two times more likely (AOR = 2.25; 95% CI = 1.08–4.67) to have had STI compared with whites. For every one unit increase in the number of times youth ran away, there was a 3% increase in the likelihood of ever having had an STI (AOR = 1.03; 95% CI = 1.01–1.06). For every one unit increase in frequency of condom use there was a 61% decrease in the likelihood of an STI (AOR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.10–1.76). Finally, youth who traded sex were approximately 2.5 times more likely to have had STI compared with youth who did not trade sex (AOR = 2.36; 95% CI = 1.04–5.34). None of the remaining correlates approached multivariate significance. Conclusions: The amount of time youth spend on the street, their sexual practices, and their subsistence strategies are important correlates of STI and females and non-whites are particularly vulnerable among this high-risk population.

The effect of drug and sexual risk behaviours with social network and non-network members on homeless youths' sexually transmissible infections and HIV testing

Sexual Health ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly Tyler ◽  
Lisa Melander
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Sexual Risk ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Unit Increase ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Sexual Risk Behaviours

Background: The study examined whether engaging in drug and sexual risk behaviours with social network and non-network members (strangers) differentially affected the decision to test for sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and HIV. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 249 homeless youths aged 14–21 years. Results: Multivariate analyses revealed that females were over three times more likely than males to test for STIs (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.34; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.54–7.25). For every one unit increase in age, there was a 37% increase in the likelihood of having tested for STIs (AOR = 1.37; 95% CI = 1.12–1.68). Youths who had sex after using alcohol and drugs with strangers were approximately 3.5 times more likely to have tested for STIs (AOR = 3.45; 95% CI = 1.38–8.61). For every one unit increase in age, there was a 26% increase in the likelihood of having tested for HIV (AOR = 1.26; 95% CI = 1.05–1.51). Youths who had sex with a stranger after using alcohol or drugs were over three times more likely to test for HIV (AOR = 3.22; 95% CI = 1.42–7.31). No social network variables reached significance for STI or HIV testing. Conclusions: Being older and engaging in drug and sexual risk behaviours with strangers are important correlates of STI and HIV testing. Females are more likely than males to be tested for STIs. Engaging in risky behaviours with social network members was not a key factor in deciding whether to be tested.

scholarly journals Differences in Socio-demographics Status, Risk Behaviours, Healthcare Uptake and HIV/STIs Between Brothel-based and Street-based Female Sex Workers in Yunnan, China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guoxi Cai ◽  
Yufen Liu ◽  
Jinman Zhuang ◽  
Yixiao Lu ◽  
Jiwen Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Consistent Condom ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Risk Population ◽  
Sti Prevention ◽  
Female Sex

Abstract Background Heterosexual contact is the primary mode of HIV transmission in China and commercial sex is thought to play a crucial role in China’s epidemic. Female sex works (FSWs) in China tend to be either brothel-based (BSWs) or street-based (SSWs), but few studies have investigated the differences between these important segments of this difficult-to-reach, high-risk population. Our aim was to explore these differences. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Yunnan Province of China in partnership with a local FSW-friendly non-governmental organization. Face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire were conducted to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, sex work history, sexual behaviours, HIV/STI-related knowledge, HIV testing history, and healthcare services uptake. Blood samples were taken for HIV and syphilis testing, and urine samples for gonorrhea and chlamydia testing. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate differences between SSWs and BSWs. Results A total of 185 BSWs and 129 SSWs were included in the study. SSWs were older and less educated, had more dependents and more clients, accessed fewer healthcare services, and had higher prevalence of HIV/STIs. SSWs also had similar but higher rates of consistent condom use with clients.Conclusions Our study provides evidence that confirms the disproportionately high vulnerability of SSWs to HIV and other STIs, underscoring the urgent need for the Chinese health and public health sectors to prioritize outreach to SSWs. Awareness and educational programs, condom distribution, testing and health check-ups should be included in a comprehensive strategy for HIV/STI prevention in this high-risk population.

Getting pre-exposure prophylaxis to high-risk transgender women: lessons from Detroit, USA

Sexual Health ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia E. Hood ◽  
Tony Eljallad ◽  
Julisa Abad ◽  
Maureen Connolly ◽  
Christine Heumann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Hormone Replacement ◽  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
Transgender Women ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Hiv Status ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis

Background Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective HIV prevention strategy, but it is unclear how best to deliver PrEP to key populations. Drawing upon a cross-sectional survey of transgender women (TW) in Detroit, USA, and experience of a PrEP clinic that serves this population, this manuscript describes the following: (1) the risk profile of Detroit TW; (2) the proportion of TW with at least one PrEP indication; and (3) perceptions of and experiences with PrEP among TW in Detroit. Methods: Between August 2017 and March 2018, 126 TW completed an online PrEP survey. Survey responses were summarised using descriptive statistics and multivariable relative risk regression. Results: Among participants who reported a negative or unknown HIV status (76% of all participants), 56% reported risk behaviour(s) consistent with PrEP indication guidelines, 17% reported currently taking PrEP and another 4% reported discontinued PrEP use. Among participants who met an indication for PrEP but were not currently taking PrEP, 64% indicated that they were not interested in taking PrEP. Approximately 60% of participants who were not currently taking PrEP reported that they would be more likely to take PrEP if it were provided at a clinic that also provided hormone replacement therapy. Conclusions: Although a substantial proportion of TW in our survey were on PrEP, interest in PrEP among high-risk TW who were not taking it was low. Specialised clinical infrastructure that is responsive to the specific needs of TW may be needed to expand PrEP to this oftentimes marginalised and high-risk population.

scholarly journals Determining the perception of a lung cancer screening programme among high-risk patients in a tertiary referral centre, Kuala Lumpur

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-24
Author(s):  
Wei Hao Kok ◽  
Andrea Ban Yu-Lin ◽  
Shamsul Azhar Shah ◽  
Faisal Abdul Hamid
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cancer Screening ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Screening Programme ◽  
Lung Cancer Screening ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Willingness To Participate ◽  
Tertiary Referral Centre ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cancer Screening Programme

Background: Lung cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death and the third most common cancer in Malaysia. The rising prevalence of lung cancer suggests the need to consider disease screening for early detection, especially in the high-risk population, as it offers the best chance of cure. Objectives: The study aims to determine the willingness of high-risk respondents to participate in a lung cancer screening programme if made available to them, and to determine their attitude towards lung cancer screening and explore factors that might affect participation in a screening programme. Method: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study over 6 months conducted in adult patients attending medical clinics in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) using face-to-face administered questionnaires. Results: In total 180 respondents were analysed. There were 177 (98.3%) males. Mean age was 59.8 ± 9.1 years. Of the respondents, 138 (76.7%) had poor knowledge about cancer screening. Former smokers comprised 119 (66.1%) of the participants, and 61 (33.9%) were current smokers. In total, 141 (78.3%) respondents indicated willingness to participate in a lung cancer screening programme. Out of this group, 68 (48.2%) respondents were unwilling to pay for the procedure. Only 18 (12.8%) were unwilling to undergo lung cancer treatment if detected early. Conclusions: Awareness about general cancer screening is low. Our study showed that when informed of their high-risk status, respondents were willing to participate in lung cancer screening. There should be more health programmes to promote and raise awareness about lung cancer.

scholarly journals Age, ethnic and travel-related disparities in kissing and sexual practices among heterosexual men in Melbourne, Australia

Sexual Health ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 279
Author(s):  
Finley J. Charleson ◽  
Christopher K. Fairley ◽  
Jane S. Hocking ◽  
Lenka A. Vodstrcil ◽  
Catriona S. Bradshaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Heterosexual Men ◽  
Sex Partners ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background The kissing practices of heterosexual men are not well understood, despite the potential of kissing to be a significant risk factor for gonorrhoea transmission. This study aimed to explore kissing and sex practices among heterosexual men. Methods: A cross-sectional survey among heterosexual men attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre in 2016–2017 was conducted. Men were asked to report their number of kissing-only (in the absence of sex), sex-only (in the absence of kissing) and kissing-with-sex partners in the last 3 months. The mean number of each partner type was calculated, and multivariable negative binomial regression was used to investigate associations between the number of different types of partners and demographic characteristics. Results: Of the 2351 heterosexual men, men reported a mean of 2.98 kissing-only, 0.54 sex-only and 2.64 kissing-with-sex partners in the last 3 months. Younger men had a mean higher number of kissing-only partners than older men (4.52 partners among men aged ≤24 years compared with 1.75 partners among men ≥35 years, P < 0.001). Men born in Europe had the most kissing-only partners (mean: 5.16 partners) and men born in Asia had the fewest kissing-only partners (mean: 1.61 partners). Men recently arrived in Australia, including travellers from overseas, had significantly more kissing-only partners (adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR): 1.53; 95% CI: 1.31–1.80) than local men. Conclusions: This study provides novel data about kissing practices of heterosexual men. Studies assessing oropharyngeal gonorrhoea should include measurements of kissing until studies can clarify its contribution to transmission risk.

Structural magnetic resonance imaging markers of susceptibility and transition to schizophrenia: A review of familial and clinical high risk population studies

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Bois ◽  
HC Whalley ◽  
AM McIntosh ◽  
SM Lawrie
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Grey Matter ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Clinical High Risk ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Structural Abnormalities ◽  
Neuroimaging Data ◽  
Imaging Markers ◽  
The Brain

There is a growing consensus that a symptomatology as complex and heterogeneous as schizophrenia is likely to be produced by widespread perturbations of brain structure, as opposed to isolated deficits in specific brain regions. Structural brain-imaging studies have shown that several features of the brain, such as grey matter, white matter integrity and the morphology of the cortex differ in individuals at high risk of the disorder compared to controls, but to a lesser extent than in patients, suggesting that structural abnormalities may form markers of vulnerability to the disorder. Research has had some success in delineating abnormalities specific to those individuals that transition to psychosis, compared to those at high risk that do not, suggesting that a general risk for the disorder can be distinguished from alterations specific to frank psychosis. In this paper, we review cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of individuals at familial or clinical high risk of the disorder. We conclude that the search for reliable markers of schizophrenia is likely to be enhanced by methods which amalgamate structural neuroimaging data into a coherent framework that takes into account the widespread distribution of brain alterations, and relates this to leading hypotheses of schizophrenia.

scholarly journals Bayesian conditional autoregressive models to assess spatial patterns of diarrhoea risk among children under the age of 5 years in Mbour, Senegal

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sokhna Thiam ◽  
Guéladio Cissé ◽  
Anna-Sofie Stensgaard ◽  
Aminata Niang-Diène ◽  
Jürg Utzinger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Varying Coefficients ◽  
Unit Increase ◽  
Conditional Autoregressive ◽  
Diarrhoeal Diseases

Diarrhoeal diseases remain a major public health problem, causing more than half a million child deaths every year, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite existing knowledge on the aetiologies and causes of diarrhoeal diseases, relatively little is known about its spatial patterns in LMICs, including Senegal. In the present study, data from a cross-sectional survey carried out in 2016 were analysed to describe the spatial pattern of diarrhoeal prevalence in children under the age of 5 years in the secondary city of Mbour in the south-western part of Senegal. Bayesian conditional autoregressive (CAR) models with spatially varying coefficients were employed to determine the effect of sociodemographic, economic and climate parameters on diarrhoeal prevalence. We observed substantial spatial heterogeneities in diarrhoea prevalence. Risk maps, stratified by age group, showed that diarrhoeal prevalence was higher in children aged 25-59 months compared to their younger counterparts with the highest risk observed in the north and south peripheral neighbourhoods, especially in Grand Mbour, Médine, Liberté and Zone Sonatel. The posterior relative risk estimate obtained from the Bayesian CAR model indicated that a unit increase in the proportion of people with untreated stored drinking water was associated with a 29% higher risk of diarrhoea. A unit increase in rainfall was also associated with an increase in diarrhoea risk. Our findings suggest that public health officials should integrate disease mapping and cluster analyses and consider the varying effects of sociodemographic factors in developing and implementing areaspecific interventions for reducing diarrhoea.

Venous thromboembolism in medical outpatients – a cross-sectional survey of risk assessment and prophylaxis

2011 ◽  
Vol 105 (01) ◽  
pp. 190-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Holger Lawall ◽  
Andreas Matthiessen ◽  
Volker Hohmann ◽  
Peter Bramlage ◽  
Sylvia Haas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Limited Mobility ◽  
Substantial Risk ◽  
Medical Outpatients

SummaryThe degree of thromboprophylaxis in medical outpatients is low despite a substantial risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). This may be attributable to difficulties in assessing risk. Assessment tools like the Haas’ scorecard aid in determining the need for thromboprophylaxis. We aimed at evaluating how the use of this tool may aid physicians in appropriately using anticoagulants. This was an epidemiological, cross-sectional survey of acute medically ill patients with limited mobility treated by general practitioners and internists. Risk assessment for VTE by the treating physician was compared to calculated risk. Of 8,123 patients evaluated between August 2006 and April 2008, 7,271 fulfilled the in- and exclusion criteria. Mean age was 69.4 ± 13.6 years, and 45.2% were male. Of these 82.8% were high risk based on their acute medical condition, 37.9% based on their underlying chronic condition. Immobilisation, heart failure, pneumonia, age, obesity, and major varicosis were the most frequently encountered risk factors. The agreement between the Haas’ scorecard and physician indicated risk was high. At least 94.1% of patients with high risk received adequate anticoagulation mostly as low molecular weight heparins for a mean duration of 15.1 ± 30.5 days. There is a substantial risk for VTE in medical out-patients. Using a simple structured scorecard resulted in an overall appropriate risk assessment and high degree of anticoagulation. The scorecard may provide a tool to improve the overall awareness for VTE risk in medical outpatients, substantially improving the degree of prophylaxis in a patient population with largely underestimated risk.

scholarly journals Self-reported testing and treatment histories among older Australian men and women who may be at risk of a sexually transmissible infection

Sexual Health ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Heywood ◽  
Anthony Lyons ◽  
Bianca Fileborn ◽  
Victor Minichiello ◽  
Catherine Barrett ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Family Doctor ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Past ◽  
Sti Testing ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Education Campaigns ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection

Background: Rates of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are increasing among older adults in many countries. Little is known about the testing and treatment histories of these populations. Correlates of testing in the past 5 years among older adults who may be at risk of a STI were examined. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 2137 Australians aged 60+ years that involved questions on STIs and STI testing was conducted in 2015. To help inform potential education campaigns, analyses focused on those who may have been at risk of a STI (n = 805, 38%). Results: Less than one in three reported a STI test in the past 5 years (n = 241, 30%) while 6% (n = 51) reported a STI diagnosis. Those diagnosed typically received treatment from a family doctor or general practitioner. Among men, lower testing rates were associated with older age, identifying as heterosexual, lower educational attainment, not using online dating and reporting one partner in the past 5 years. For women, lower rates of testing were found among those who did not use a condom at their most recent sexual encounter and those with one partner in the past 5 years. Conclusions: STI testing rates were low. This study indicates that consideration should be given to the way targeted education campaigns are formulated, such as emphasising the importance of STI testing to older people who are at risk, as well as encouraging healthcare professionals to discuss sexual health with their older patients.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document