HIV is rare among low-risk heterosexual men and significant potential savings could occur through phone results

Sexual Health ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matiu R. Bush ◽  
Henrietta Williams ◽  
Christopher K. Fairley
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Female Partner ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Heterosexual Men ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
Sexual Health Clinics

Background: The legislation in Victoria requires HIV-positive results to be given in person by an accredited health professional. Many sexual health clinics require all men to receive HIV results in person. Our aim was to determine the proportion of low-risk heterosexual men at a sexual health centre who tested HIV-positive. Methods: The electronic data on all HIV tests performed between 2002 and 2008 on heterosexual men at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) was reviewed. The individual client files of all heterosexual men who tested HIV-positive were reviewed to determine their risks for HIV at the time that the HIV test was ordered. Results: Over the 6 years there were 33 681 HIV tests performed on men, of which 17 958 tests were for heterosexual men. From these heterosexual men, nine tested positive for the first time at MSHC (0.05%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01%, 0.09%). These nine cases included six men who had had sex with a female partner from the following countries: Thailand, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Botswana and South Africa. Two men had injected drugs and one had a HIV-positive female partner. Of the 17 958 test results for heterosexual males, 14 902 (83% 95% CI: 84%, 86%) test results were for men who did not have a history of intravenous drug use or had sexual contact overseas. Of these 14 902 low-risk men, none tested positive (0%, 95% CI: 0, 0.00025). Conclusion: Asking the 83% of heterosexual men who have an extremely low risk of HIV to return in person for their results is expensive for sexual health clinics and inconvenient for clients. We have changed our policy to permit heterosexual men without risk factors to obtain their HIV-negative results by phone.

Enhanced surveillance of syphilis cases among men who have sex with men in London, October 2016–January 2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 422-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sangeeta Rana ◽  
Neil Macdonald ◽  
Patrick French ◽  
Jay Jarman ◽  
Sheel Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Group Sex ◽  
Sexual Health Clinics ◽  
Hiv Negative ◽  
Hiv Positive Men

Syphilis rates have been increasing in men who have sex with men (MSM) in London. To describe risk behaviour and refine public health interventions, we conducted prospective enhanced surveillance of new syphilis cases in MSM attending selected London sexual health clinics (SHCs) between October 2016 and January 2017. Sexual health advisors (SHAs) completed 107 questionnaires. Eighteen per cent of respondents reported always using condoms, with lower use in HIV-positive (8%, 4/53) than HIV-negative men (33%, 14/52). Almost half of respondents reported condomless sero-discordant sex (46%, 33/72). The most frequent means of meeting new partners reported were venues (80%, 76/95), particularly bars or clubs (34%, 32/95), and apps or websites (79%, 75/95). Nearly a third of respondents reported engaging in group sex (32%, 30/95). Almost half reported drug use during sex (47%, 46/98), with HIV-positive men more likely to report use of the three main ‘chemsex’ drugs. The majority of respondents preferred health promotion information from SHAs (63%, 58/92) compared to other sources such as Google/Wikipedia and apps. Prevention activity should continue to focus on condomless sex, serosorting, multiple and overlapping partners, and chemsex. SHCs, particularly those serving HIV-positive men, are important sources for sexual health promotion advice.

scholarly journals HIV testing amongst older sexual health clinic attendees in England: an epidemiological study

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sadie Bell ◽  
Joy Adamson ◽  
Fabiola Martin ◽  
Tim Doran
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Sexual Health Clinics

Older adults with HIV are at increased risk of late diagnosis. We aimed to explore the association between age and HIV testing rates in sexual health clinics in England using Public Health England data for 2009–2014. We investigated associations between attendee age and likelihood of HIV test offer, acceptance, and coverage. For each year, increasing age was associated with reduced likelihood of test offer (Rs −0.797 to −0.958, p < 0·01). Offer rates were highest for men who have sex with men (MSM), and lowest for heterosexual females (HSFs). HSFs had the greatest decline in offer rates with age (from 86.2% for age 25–29 to 52.1% for age 70+ in 2014). Odds ratios for test offer in 2014 for attendees aged 15–49 compared with attendees aged 50+ were 1.94 (95%CI: 1.88, 2.00) for heterosexual males (HSMs), 1.86 (95%CI: 1.81, 1.91) for HSFs, and 1.54 (95%CI: 1.45, 1.64) for MSM. Overall, there was no significant association between age and test acceptance in any year (Rs −0.070 to −0.547; p > 0·05). The strongest determinant of acceptance was sexual orientation; for attendees aged 50+, compared with HSMs, acceptance was higher for MSM (OR: 1.10; 95%CI: 1.06, 1.13) and lower for HSFs (OR: 0.30; 95%CI: 0.30, 0.31).

37. MONITORING HIV TRANSMISSION AMONG MEN SEEN AT METROPOLITAN SEXUAL HEALTH CLINICS IN AUSTRALIA, 1996-2005

Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 299
Author(s):  
A. McDonald ◽  
J. M. Kaldor
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Newly Diagnosed ◽  
Antibody Testing ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
Sexual Health Clinics ◽  
Hiv Antibody Testing

National surveillance for newly diagnosed HIV infection indicates an increasing trend in Queensland, South Australia and Victoria but not in New South Wales. It was not clear if trends in newly diagnosed HIV infection were due to different patterns of HIV antibody testing. We report the pattern of HIV antibody testing among people seen through a network of sexual health clinics in Australia. Six public metropolitan sexual health clinics (Sydney Sexual Health Centre (SSHC), South West Sexual Health Centre (SSWSHC), NSW; Brisbane Sexual Health Clinic (BSHC), Gold Coast Sexual Health Clinic (GCSHC), QLD; Clinic 275, SA; Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC), VIC) provide annual tabulations of the number of people seen, the number tested for HIV antibody, and the number with newly diagnosed HIV infection, broken down by sex, exposure category and testing history. The number of men seen at the clinics ranged from 17 138 in 1996 to 19 184 in 2005. Among men seen, the percentage who were tested for HIV declined from 62% in 1996 to 50% in 2001 and increased to 56% in 2005. HIV prevalence remained stable in 1996-2005 at 0.5% and was highest at SSHC (0.7-1.1%) and among homosexually active men (1.8% in 1996 and 1.6% in 2005). The percentage of men retested within 12 months of a negative test increased from 41% in 1996 to 44% in 2005. At SSHC, retesting among homosexually active men declined from 56% in 1996 to 44% in 2001 and increased to 58% by 2005. At Clinic 275 and MSHC, 50-60% and around 50% of homosexually active men were retested in 1996 - 2005 and in 2004-2005, respectively. HIV infection was newly diagnosed in 0.4% (8) in 1996 and in 0.8% (26) in 2005. While HIV antibody testing patterns vary between the clinics, incidence of newly diagnosed HIV infection has remained low.

HIV results by phone: can we predict who will test HIV-negative?

Sexual Health ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Wright ◽  
Nathan Ryder ◽  
Anna M. McNulty
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Pro Forma

Introduction: In order to review the requirement for all patients to return for HIV test results, we sought to describe the number of cases of HIV infection detected at Sydney Sexual Health Centre among people who did not disclose known risk factors before testing. Method: The clinic database identified all HIV testing episodes between January 2004 and January 2007, along with gender, gender of sexual partners and test result. Pro-forma medical records were reviewed for each person who tested positive for gender of sexual partners, condom use, and sexual contact with a person from a country known to have a high HIV prevalence and injecting drug use. Results: During the 3-year period, a total of 13 290 HIV tests were performed. In men who have sex with men, 6194 tests were performed and 55 (0.88%) tested positive. In women and heterosexual men 7096 tests were performed, and only four (0.06%) tested positive. All four reported known risks for HIV before testing. Conclusion: Clients with no recognised risk factors for HIV are unlikely to test positive at our Australian sexual health clinic. Providing the option for low risk people to obtain their results other than face to face has advantages for both the clinic in terms of service provision and the clients in terms of time and the proportion who receive their result.

Screening for hepatitis C in sexual health clinic attendees

Sexual Health ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 73 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Cristina Mapagu ◽  
Sarah J. Martin ◽  
Marian J. Currie ◽  
Francis J. Bowden
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Hepatitis C ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
History Of ◽  
Hcv Screening ◽  
Sexual Health Clinics

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence has been shown to be higher in some sexual health clinic attendees than the general population. Screening for HCV in sexual health clinics may be based on risk assessment or universal screening. The aim of this audit was to explore the value of routine HCV screening in a sexual health centre population. Methods: Medical records and pathology data concerning all patients tested for HCV between 2000 and 2002 at Canberra Sexual Health Centre were audited to determine whether the diagnosis of HCV was already known and which, if any, risk factors were identified at the time of testing. Results: A total of 3845 tests were conducted on 3156 individuals over the 3-year period. HCV seropositivity was confirmed in 95 patients (3.0%; 95% CI 2.4–3.7), of which 29 (30.5%) were new diagnoses. A total of 85.3% of all patients with confirmed HCV infection reported a history of injecting drug use. Tattoos and body piercings were the most common risk factor in those who denied ever injecting. Risk factor assessment correctly identified all but one positive patient. Conclusions: HCV testing based on clinician-led risk assessment is an effective approach to HCV screening.

Should we change the focus of health promotion in sexual health clinics?

Sexual Health ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudiger Pittrof ◽  
Elizabeth Goodburn
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
Unknown Risk ◽  
Sexual Health Clinics ◽  
The Cost

The effectiveness of sexual behaviour change interventions in sexual health clinics is unknown. Risk factors for poor sexual and reproductive health such as depression, violence, alcohol and smoking in sexual health clinics are all common and can be identified easily in sexual health services. Targeting these risk factors could be as effective as traditional sexual health promotion and could have additional benefits. The authors propose a pilot to assess the cost-effectiveness and acceptability of incorporating screening and interventions for these risk factors.

scholarly journals From silos to buckets: a qualitative study of how sexual health clinics address their clients’ mental health needs

2020 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 220-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphanie Black ◽  
Travis Salway ◽  
Naomi Dove ◽  
Jean Shoveller ◽  
Mark Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
Sexual Health Clinics

scholarly journals P134 Maintaining confidentiality in sexual health clinics; a local and national service evaluation

2016 ◽  
Vol 92 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. A66.2-A66
Author(s):  
Rebecca Duffield ◽  
Emily Clarke ◽  
Mickaela Poree ◽  
Tony Lamb ◽  
Alan Tang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
National Service ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
Sexual Health Clinics

scholarly journals Is it time to move to nucleic acid amplification tests screening for pharyngeal and rectal gonorrhoea in men who have sex with men to improve gonorrhoea control?

Sexual Health ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher K. Fairley ◽  
Marcus Y. Chen ◽  
Catriona S. Bradshaw ◽  
Sepehr N. Tabrizi
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Nucleic Acid Amplification ◽  
Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Sexual Health Clinics

The use of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), as well as or in preference to culture for non-genital sites is now recommended both in Australia and overseas because of their greater sensitivity and improved specificity. A survey of 22 Australian sexual health clinics who each year test over 14 500 men who have sex with men (MSM) show that culture remains the predominate method for detecting gonorrhoea at pharyngeal (64%) and rectal (73%) sites. This editorial discusses the potential disadvantages of using culture over NAAT in relation to optimal gonorrhoea control among MSM and advocates that significantly improved control would be achieved by moving to NAAT with the proviso that culture samples are taken wherever possible on NAAT-positive samples and from clients with urethritis to ensure continued surveillance for antimicrobial resistance.

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