Association between sexually transmissible infection testing, numbers of partners and talking to partners and friends about sexual health: survey of young adults

Sexual Health ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie A. Hendry ◽  
Graham Brown ◽  
Gary W. Dowsett ◽  
Marina Carman
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Group Method ◽  
Friendship Networks ◽  
Sti Testing ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection

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.

Lower sexually transmissible infection prevalence among lifetime exclusive women who have sex with women compared with women who have sex with women and men

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 592
Author(s):  
Christina A. Muzny ◽  
Richa Kapil ◽  
Erika L. Austin ◽  
Edward W. Hook ◽  
William M. Geisler
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Infection Prevalence ◽  
Matched Group ◽  
Sti Testing ◽  
History Of ◽  
Study Questionnaire ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection

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.

Use of incentives to encourage sexually transmissible infection testing amongst sex-on-premises venue patrons

Sexual Health ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brett Stevens ◽  
Joseph Debattista ◽  
William Rutkin
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Free Entry ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
Sti Testing ◽  
Clinical Consultation ◽  
General Practices ◽  
Sexual Health Clinics ◽  
First Time ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection

Background Incentives have been explored as a strategy for increasing access to sexually transmissible infection (STI) testing. This project sought to trial the offer of free entry to sex-on-premises venues (SOPVs) for venue patrons as an incentive to access sexual health checks. Method: SOPV patrons were offered free entry into venues if they took advantage of sexual health testing at a range of clinics. Patrons were given testing cards from the SOPV that could be exchanged at the time of the clinical consultation for a free entry pass to the SOPV of their choice. Cards collected at clinics and SOPVs were collated. Results: In total, 244 cards were distributed to patrons from four venues over a 6-month period. Ten persons accessed one of the six clinical sites, one person attending twice. Of these persons, five attended two general practices and the remaining five accessed public sexual health clinics. Of these 10 persons, three used their free entry passes to attend an SOPV. Two persons accessed these clinical sites for the first time, one of whom tested reactive for an STI. Another regular attendee also tested reactive. Conclusion: Despite the low uptake, the free entry promotion was inexpensive and could, given sufficient time, be considered an effective incentive. Nonetheless, this study may have contributed to at least two new persons undertaking testing, one of whom was diagnosed with an STI.

Why not the GP? Client preferences for sexually transmissible infection testing in Western Sydney

Sexual Health ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 463 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Biggs ◽  
Jennifer Walsh
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sti Testing ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Service Staff ◽  
The Future ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection

Background Publicly funded sexual health services (PFSHS) in NSW use triage to prioritise access for people at increased risk of infection and refer people at lower risk to General Practitioners (GPs). This study aimed to determine why people in Western Sydney attend a PFSHS in preference to their GP, whether they would be willing to see their GP for sexual health services and what factors were important when making this decision. Methods: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used for this study. Results: In total, 228/249 (92%) of all respondents had visited a GP in the previous 12 months; 192/249 (77%) knew the GP could perform sexually transmissible infection testing (STI) testing; 124/249 (50%) had ever had a STI check with a GP and 101/249 (41%) were willing to attend a GP service for STI-related care in the future. Factors relating to the health service staff and client comfort emerged as strong reasons for choice of health service. One-third of non-priority clients (33%) were unwilling to see a GP for STI testing in the future. Respondents raised concerns regarding perceived issues with confidentiality and lack of confidence in the GP’s expertise in sexual health. Conclusions: The underlying factors relating to sexual health care with the GP, whether real or perceived, need to be addressed in order for PFSHS to successfully triage out attendees who are at a lower STI risk.

Correlates of sexually transmissible infection testing among a sample of at-risk young Australians

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin H. Douglass ◽  
Alyce M. Vella ◽  
Margaret E. Hellard ◽  
Megan S. C. Lim
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Sexual Debut ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
The Past ◽  
Chlamydia Testing ◽  
Testing Rate ◽  
Sti Testing ◽  
Not At Risk ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection

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.

scholarly journals Social Network Research contribution to evaluating process in a feasibility study of a peer-led and school-based sexual health intervention

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Broccatelli ◽  
Peng Wang ◽  
Lisa McDaid ◽  
Mark McCann ◽  
Sharon Anne Simpson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Complex Interventions ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Feasibility Trial ◽  
Friendship Networks ◽  
Intervention Delivery ◽  
School Based ◽  
Network Research

AbstractThere is growing interest in social network-based programmes to improve health, but rigorous methods using Social Network research to evaluate the process of these interventions is less well developed. Using data from the “STis And Sexual Health” (STASH) feasibility trial of a school-based, peer-led intervention on sexual health prevention, we illustrate how network data analysis results can address key components of process evaluations for complex interventions—implementation, mechanisms of impacts, and context. STASH trained students as Peer Supporters (PS) to diffuse sexual health messages though face-to-face interactions and online Facebook (FB) groups. We applied a Multilevel Exponential Random Graph modelling approach to analyse the interdependence between offline friendship relationships and online FB ties and how these different relationships align. Our results suggest that the creation of online FB communities mirrored offline adolescent groups, demonstrating fidelity of intervention delivery. Data on informal friendship networks related to student’s individual characteristics (i.e., demographics, sexual health knowledge and adherence to norms, which were included for STASH), contributed to an understanding of the social relational ‘building’ mechanisms that sustain tie-formation. This knowledge could assist the selection of opinion leaders, improving identification of influential peers situated in optimal network positions. This work provides a novel contribution to understanding how to integrate network research with the process evaluation of a network intervention.

Young women's misperceptions about sexually transmissible infection testing: a 'clean and clear' misunderstanding

Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara K. Head ◽  
Richard A. Crosby ◽  
Lydia A. Shrier ◽  
Gregory R. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Young Women ◽  
Sexual Debut ◽  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
Healthcare Setting ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sexual Risk Behaviour ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sti Testing ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection

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.

Addressing sexually transmissible infection in HIV-positive patients. A clinical audit

Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danielle Esler ◽  
Catriona Ooi
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Clinical Audit ◽  
Sexual History ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
History Taking ◽  
Health Unit ◽  
Sti Testing ◽  
Sexual History Taking ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection

Australian guidelines for sexual history taking and sexually transmissible infection (STI) screening of HIV-positive patients do not exist. An audit was conducted to assess current practices of sexual history taking and STI testing of HIV-positive patients attending Hunter New England Sexual Health Unit.

Early diagnosis of HIV among men who have sex with men in Western Australia: impact of a peer-led sexually transmissible infection testing service

Sexual Health ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byron C. Minas ◽  
Carolien M. Giele ◽  
Sue C. Laing ◽  
Lisa Bastian ◽  
Andrew W. Burry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Testing Service ◽  
Sti Testing ◽  
Time Periods ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Western Australian ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection

Background In July 2010, the Western Australian AIDS Council established the ‘M Clinic’, a peer-led STI testing service for MSM. This study describes trends in HIV notifications among MSM in WA from 2004 to 2013, particularly the impact of the M Clinic on newly acquired HIV diagnoses. Methods: The number and proportion of MSM HIV cases with newly acquired infection were compared for the 2004–2006, 2007–2009 and 2011–2013 time periods. Data from 2010 were excluded as the M Clinic opened in July 2010. Results: Between the 2004–2006 and 2007–2009 periods, the number of MSM with newly acquired HIV increased by 50% (23 to 33 cases) and the number of newly acquired cases as a proportion of all new HIV diagnoses among MSM increased from 27% to 35% (30% increase) (P = 0.25). In the 2011–2013 period, the number of newly acquired HIV cases among MSM more than doubled to 70 cases and comprised 53% of all new HIV diagnoses among MSM (P < 0.05). Of the 70 newly acquired HIV cases in the 2011–2013 period, 30% (n = 21) were diagnosed at the M Clinic. Conclusions: The proportion of MSM HIV notifications that were newly acquired increased between 2004 and 2013 in WA, with the greatest increase seen after the M Clinic commenced operation. A peer-led approach to HIV testing should be considered in order to achieve early diagnosis and treatment of HIV among MSM.

Men, bodily change and urethritis: a qualitative study

Sexual Health ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. K. Pitts ◽  
A. M. A Smith ◽  
A. Mischewski ◽  
C. Fairley
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Ability To Act ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection ◽  
Visual Changes ◽  
The Way

Objectives: To describe how men narrate the process of bodily change as a trigger to presentation for a suspected sexually transmissible infection. Methods: The study was qualitative with 18 men presenting at a specialist sexual health centre in an urban setting. Results: All men gave narratives that included accounts of bodily changes prior to presentation. The nature, severity and persistence of those changes were unrelated to subsequent diagnosis. Men responded particularly to visual changes as cues to action. Conclusions: The men exhibited limited skills in understanding the significance and the specifics of bodily change as they may relate to a sexually transmissible infection. While these men identified a broad range of changes as potentially indicative of a sexually transmissible infection, their ability to act on visceral rather than visual cues appears constrained in that they were less able to respond to the feel of their body than the way that it looked.

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