scholarly journals A verbal invitation and specimen collection on the spot are crucial to maximise sexually transmissible infection testing uptake in non-traditional settings

Sexual Health ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 469
Author(s):  
Jane S. Hocking ◽  
Jane L. Goller ◽  
Megan S. C. Lim

Non-traditional settings offer an opportunity to increase access to sexually transmissible infection testing for at-risk populations, but they have not yet proven to be an efficient option and current models are unlikely to be effective if scaled up.


Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 592
Author(s):  
Christina A. Muzny ◽  
Richa Kapil ◽  
Erika L. Austin ◽  
Edward W. Hook ◽  
William M. Geisler

Background Sexually transmissible infection (STI) history, prevalence and seroprevalence among lifetime exclusive women who have sex with women (WSW) and an age-matched group of women who have sex with women and men (WSWM) was evaluated. Methods: Participants completed a study questionnaire and had genital specimens and sera collected for STI testing. Results: Twenty-one lifetime exclusive WSW and 42 WSWM were included. WSWM were more likely to report a history of prior STIs and be seropositive for chlamydia and HSV-2. Prevalent STIs were less common among WSW. Conclusions: While lifetime exclusive WSW are at risk of contracting STIs, WSWM are disproportionally affected. Healthcare providers should consider routine STI screening among WSW.



Sexual Health ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wiley D. Jenkins ◽  
Charlie Rabins ◽  
Mathilda Barnes ◽  
Patricia Agreda ◽  
Charlotte Gaydos

Background: In the USA, reported cases of chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) continue to rise despite substantial funding for screening. National gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) rates have remained relatively stable, with clusters associated with metropolitan areas. Rural areas are no exception, as every county in Illinois reported cases of chlamydia in 2007. Morbidity associated with infection remains a public health concern, with costs of $US2.5+ billion annually. Novel screening interventions must be examined for their ability to reach those at risk who are missed by traditional methods. Methods: The website Iwantthekit.org was modified to allow residents from 25 contiguous counties in Central Illinois to request a self-collected sample kit. Returned kits were tested for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. The initial study period was 12 months. Results: During the study period, 343 kits were requested from 20 counties and 39.9% were satisfactorily returned for analysis. Positivity rates for chlamydia and gonorrhoea were 5.8% and 1.2%, respectively, for females and 1.9% and 0% for males. Males comprised 37.7% of all internet samples (compared with 23.4% for traditional screening venues) and 40.4% of all internet samples submitted by whites (compared with only 17.2% of traditional screening). Conclusions: The female positivity rate was comparable to those seen in other screening venues and the method successfully engaged at-risk males. Overall, participation was low and the costs associated with the program outweighed the averted costs associated with the few cases identified. While this methodology resulted in sample requests from a wide area, it must be utilised by more individuals to become cost-effective.



Sexual Health ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie A. Hendry ◽  
Graham Brown ◽  
Gary W. Dowsett ◽  
Marina Carman

Background Young adults, aged 18–30 years, comprise the largest proportion of sexually transmissible infection (STI) notifications in Australia compared with other age groups. Understanding the influence of partner and friendship networks on their STI testing practices may enhance health promotion efforts to increase testing for this group. Method: Participants aged 21–30 years, living in Australia for ≥3 years, were recruited within nightlife precincts in Melbourne, Australia. They completed a survey on demographic items, sexual health attitudes, sexual health knowledge and STI testing experiences and perceptions. Responses to items related to talking to partners and friends about STI testing were allocated partner and friend communication scores. Analyses included χ2 tests of independence and independent sample t-tests. Results: Overall, 36.5% (61/167) of participants had tested for STIs in the previous 12 months. Of those who had tested for STIs, most had significantly higher numbers of sexual partners in the same period (P < 0.05), and were significantly more likely to have felt at risk of STI acquisition (P < 0.05). Significantly greater mean partner and friend communication scores were associated with higher numbers of sexual partners, feeling at risk of STIs, and testing for STIs in the previous 12 months (all P < 0.05). There were no significant differences when participants were stratified by gender or age. Conclusion: Talking to partners and friends about STI testing is associated with testing rates for young adults. Feeling at risk and increased numbers of sexual partners may be associated with the promotion of STI testing among friends and partners.



2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin H. Douglass ◽  
Alyce M. Vella ◽  
Margaret E. Hellard ◽  
Megan S. C. Lim

Annual chlamydia testing is recommended for all sexually active Australians aged 15–29 years; however, the testing rate is below recommended levels. Three surveys at a Melbourne music festival were conducted over 2012–14 to identify correlates of sexually transmissible infection (STI) testing among young people at risk of STIs. In total, 3588 participants were recruited; 72% reported having sex in the past year. Based on sexual behaviours, 38% of sexually active participants were classified as at risk of contracting STIs. In the past year, at-risk participants had significantly higher odds of reporting a STI test (37%) than participants classified as not at risk (24%) (OR=1.9; CI=1.6–2.3). Among at-risk participants, correlates of STI testing in the past year included being aged 20–24 years, visiting a GP, higher knowledge levels, earlier sexual debut and reporting more than five lifetime partners. Testing rates in our sample did not meet levels required to reduce chlamydia prevalence. However, the testing rate was higher in at-risk participants than participants who were not at risk. Future programs aiming to increase chlamydia testing should improve knowledge and promote the importance of testing after risk exposure, particularly among 16- to 19-year-olds.



2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Areen Omary

Aims: This study aims to examine if age and marital status can predict the risk for binge alcohol use (BAU) among adults with a major depressive episode (MDE). Methods: Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) 2018 National Survey for Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) were analyzed. The unweighted sample included 6,999 adults representing a weighted population size of 33,900,452.122 in the US. Results and Conclusions: The findings of this retrospective research confirmed that age and marital status significantly predicted BAU in the past month among adults with MDE. Adults with MDE at higher risk for BAU were adults under the age of 50, adults who were never married, and adults who were divorced/separated. Special attention must be paid to those in age groups under 50, never married, and have been separated/divorced who are particularly at-risk for future alcohol abuse. Future research should consider examining additional potential confounders for BAU among other at-risk populations.



2020 ◽  
Vol 222 (4) ◽  
pp. S886.e1-S886.e9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abigail Liberty ◽  
Kimberly Yee ◽  
Blair G. Darney ◽  
Ana Lopez-Defede ◽  
Maria I. Rodriguez


2020 ◽  
pp. 095646242094756
Author(s):  
Sabina O Nduaguba ◽  
Kentya H Ford ◽  
James P Wilson ◽  
Kenneth A Lawson ◽  
Robert L Cook

We aimed to identify subgroups within age, racial/ethnic, and transmission categories that drive increased risk for late HIV diagnosis (LHD). A 1996–2013 retrospective study of HIV-diagnosed individuals (N = 77,844) was conducted. The proportion of individuals with LHD (AIDS diagnosis within 365 days of HIV diagnosis) was determined, stratified by age, race/ethnicity, and transmission category. Logistic regression with interaction terms was used to identify groups/subgroups at risk for LHD during 1996–2001, 2002–2007, and 2008–2013. Respectively, 78%, 27%, 38%, and 31% were male, White, Black, and Hispanic. Overall, 39% had LHD with a 6.7% reduction for each year increase (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.93–0.94, p < 0.01). Older age was significantly associated with increased odds of LHD (OR range = 1.90–4.55). Compared to their White counterparts, all Hispanic transmission categories (OR range = 1.31–2.58) and only Black female heterosexuals and men who have sex with men (MSM) (OR range = 1.14–1.33) had significantly higher odds of LHD during 1996–2001 and/or 2002–2007. Significance was limited to Hispanic MSM (all age categories), MSM/IDUs (30–59 years), and heterosexuals (18–29 years) and Black MSM (30–39 years) during 2008–2013. Older individuals and Hispanics (driven by MSM) are at increased risk for LHD. HIV testing interventions directed at seniors and Hispanic MSM can further reduce rates of LHD.



Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara K. Head ◽  
Richard A. Crosby ◽  
Lydia A. Shrier ◽  
Gregory R. Moore

Background: This exploratory study investigated young women’s perceptions of sexually transmissible infection (STI) testing received during gynaecological care. Correlates of the incorrect perception that STI testing occurred were assessed. Methods: Cross-sectional study of sexually active young women, age 18–24 years, attending a university healthcare setting for gynaecological care (n = 109). Two hundred and four women were approached and 87 were ineligible; of the remaining 117, 93.2% chose to enrol. Results: Of the women enrolled, 25.7% falsely perceived that they were STI tested (labelled ‘clean and clear’). Only approximately one in seven (14.7%) accurately understood the STI for which they were tested. In multivariate analyses, controlling for race, STI symptoms, depression, number of lifetime visits to the gynaecologist, and suspicion of current STI, three variables were significant: minority race (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.84, confidence interval (CI) = 1.38–16.96, P = 0.01), earlier age at sexual debut (AOR = 4.67, CI = 1.73–12.57, P = 0.002), and previous STI diagnosis (AOR = 3.38, CI = 1.07–10.66, P = 0.04). Comment: The findings suggest that many young women may have an inaccurate understanding of the STI testing they undergo during gynaecological care and may operate under the misperception they are ‘clean and clear’ of STI. Women with said misperception were more likely to be of minority race and report relatively earlier age of sexual debut and previous STI diagnosis. Further investigation is warranted to determine whether the ‘clean and clear’ misperception influences young women’s sexual risk behaviour.



2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane E. Tomnay ◽  
Lisa Bourke ◽  
Christopher K. Fairley


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