How can university sexual health promotion events reach those most at risk? A cross-sectional study

Sexual Health ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew E. Dunn ◽  
Merryn McKinnon

Background The rate of notifications of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) in Australians has increased dramatically, especially in those aged 16–30 years. This age bracket, typical of university students, is the most likely to report multiple sexual partners in the previous year. Individuals who have sex with multiple partners in a year have a significantly increased chance of contracting an STI, making them an important audience for sexual health promotion. This study aimed to determine how university sexual health promotion events can better reach this higher-risk subset of the population. Methods: Two anonymous cross-sectional surveys were used to understand current and ideal sexual health promotion events through the perspectives of student leaders (n = 62) and general university students (n = 502). Results: Students who had more than one sexual partner in the previous year (the higher-risk group) made up 22.7% of the students sampled. Higher-risk students differed substantially from lower-risk students in terms of preferred event types, incentives and topics to be covered, often prioritising those rarely used in current university sexual health events. Conclusion: While current university sexual health events include some features that align with student priorities, elements beyond sexual health information, such as social activity, alcohol incentives and on-site sexual health testing, can be helpful tools to attract students with higher numbers of sexual partners.


Sexual Health ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeannie Oliphant ◽  
Sunita Azariah

Background Although multiple studies have confirmed Mycoplasma genitalium as a cause of nongonococcal urethritis in men, there is less evidence of its pathogenicity in women. Our aims were to determine the prevalence of M. genitalium in a sample of women attending a sexual health clinic and to assess whether there was any association between the detection of M. genitalium and a diagnosis of cervicitis in this population. Methods: A cross-sectional study recruited women who required screening for sexually transmissible infections. Endocervical swabs to detect the presence of M. genitalium were taken in addition to routine testing for Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis. Data were collected on demographics, sexual behaviour, clinical symptoms and the presence of clinical or microscopic cervicitis. Results: The prevalence of M. genitalium was 8.4% (n = 22, 95% confidence interval (CI): 5.4–12.5%) in the study sample of 261 women. There was an association between the finding of cervical contact bleeding (odds ratio OR): 5.45; 95% CI: 1.93–15.42, P = 0.001) and microscopic cervicitis (OR: 2.64; 95% CI: 0.95–7.34, P = 0.06) and the presence of M. genitalium when compared with women with no diagnosed infection; however, the latter finding was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Although the prevalence of M. genitalium was high at 8.4%, the overall lack of any association between the findings of cervicitis and the detection of M. genitalium support the conclusion that cervicitis has poor clinical utility as an indicator for the presence of M. genitalium infection.



2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicos Middleton ◽  
Constantinos Tsioutis ◽  
Ourania Kolokotroni ◽  
Alexandros Heraclides ◽  
Panagiotis Theodosis-Nobelos ◽  
...  

University students represent a highly active group in terms of their social activity in the community and in the propagation of information on social media. We aimed to map the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of University students in Cyprus about severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to guide targeted future measures and information campaigns. We used a cross-sectional online survey targeting all students in conventional, not distance-learning, programs in five major universities in the Republic of Cyprus. Students were invited to participate through the respective Studies and Student Welfare Office of each institution. The survey was made available in English and Greek on REDCap. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. The questionnaire was developed based on a consensus to cover the main factual information directed by official channels toward the general public in Cyprus at the time of the survey. In addition to sociodemographic information (N = 8), the self-administered questionnaire consisted of 19 questions, assessing the knowledge regarding the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, infection prevention and control measures (N = 10), perceptions related to COVID-19, for instance, whether strict travel measures are necessary (N = 4), and attitudes toward a hypothetical person infected (N = 2). Furthermore, participants were asked to provide their own assessment of their knowledge about COVID-19 and specifically with regard to the main symptoms and ways of transmission (N = 3). The number of students who completed the survey was 3,641 (41% studying Health/Life Sciences). Amongst them, 68.8% responded correctly to at least 60% of knowledge-related questions. Misconceptions were identified in 30%. Only 29.1% expressed a positive attitude toward a hypothetical person with COVID-19 without projecting judgment (9.2%) or blame (38%). Odds of expressing a positive attitude increased by 18% (95% CI 13–24%; p < 0.001) per unit increase in knowledge. Postgraduate level education was predictive of better knowledge (odds ratio (OR) 1.81; 95% CI 1.34–2.46; p < 0.001 among doctoral students] and positive attitude [OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.01–1.80; p = 0.04). In this study, we show that specific knowledge gaps and misconceptions exist among University students about SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 and their prevalence is associated with negative attitudes toward people with COVID-19. Our findings highlight the integrated nature of knowledge and attitude and suggest that improvements to the former could contribute to improvements in the latter.



2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 143
Author(s):  
Stefany Hulda Primo ◽  
Mario Molari ◽  
Amanda Alcântara Luna ◽  
Nuno de Noronha Da Costa Bispo ◽  
Vinicius Aparecido Yoshio Ossada ◽  
...  

Atualmente tem se observado que as incidências de mortes são ocasionadas por fatores relacionados ao comportamento humano, como no caso da inatividade física. Esta pesquisa se objetivou em avaliar o nível de atividade física habitual - AF em relação ao índice de massa corpórea - IMC em universitários do Ensino a distância - EaD, por meio do Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física - IPAQ. É um estudo do tipo transversal com o total de 107 universitários do EaD. Para as coletas de dados foi utilizado o questionário geral e o questionário IPAQ. O IMC foi calculado pela equação IMC= peso corporal (Kg)/ altura (m)2, considerando os valores <18,5 kg abaixo do peso; e entre 18,5-24,9 kg peso normal; 25-29,9 kg sobrepeso; 30-34,9 kg obesidade leve; 35-39,9 kg obesidade moderada e obesidade mórbida >40 kg (CUNHA, 2009). A média de idade foi de 30,1±9,7 anos, prevalecendo o sexo feminino com 61,6%. Dos 107 entrevistados, 64,4% são praticantes de AF. Quanto ao IMC, 6,5% estão abaixo do peso; 46% estão no peso normal; 33% estão com sobrepeso; 9,3% estão com obesidade leve; 2% com obesidade moderada; 3,8% com obesidade mórbida, sendo 1,8%. Através dos dados analisados por meio do questionário GERAL, IPAQ e pelo programa de análise estatística SPSS se verificou que quanto maior o IMC, pior é a classificação quanto ao nível de atividade física. Sendo assim, nota-se a importância de ações voltadas para os universitários praticarem atividade física, além de estratégicas voltadas para a promoção da saúde e prevenção de doenças provenientes do sedentarismo.Palavras-chave: Exercício. Obesidade. Promoção da Saúde.AbstractIt has now been observed that the incidence of deaths is caused by factors related to human behavior, as in the case of physical inactivity. This study aimed to evaluate the level of habitual physical activity (FA) in relation to the body mass index (BMI) in distance learning university students (EAD), through the International Questionnaire of Physical Activity (IPAQ). It is a cross-sectional study with a total of 107 university students. For data collection, the general questionnaire and the IPAQ questionnaire were used. The BMI was calculated by the equation BMI = body weight (kg) / height (m) 2, considering values <18.5 kg below weight; And between 18.5-24.9 kg normal weight; 25-29.9 kg overweight; 30-34.9 kg light obesity; 35-39.9 kg moderate obesity and morbid obesity> 40 kg (CUNHA, 2009). The mean age was 30.1 ± 9.7 years, prevailing the female sex with 61.6%. Of the 107 interviewees, 64.4% are AF practitioners. Regarding BMI 6.5% are underweight; 46% are in normal weight; 33% are overweight; 9.3% are lightly obese; 2% with moderate obesity; 3.8% with morbid obesity, being 1.8%. Through the data analyzed through the questionnaire GENERAL, IPAQ and the program of statistical analysis SPSS, it was verified that the higher the BMI, the worse the classification concerning the level of physical activity. Thus, we notice the importance of actions aimed at university students to practice physical activity, as well as strategies aimed at health promotion and prevention of sedentrary individuals’ diseases.Keywords: Exercise. Obesity. Health Promotion.



Sexual Health ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric P. F. Chow ◽  
John B. Carlin ◽  
Tim R. H. Read ◽  
Marcus Y. Chen ◽  
Catriona S. Bradshaw ◽  
...  

Background The number of sexual partners is one of the most important risk factors for sexually transmissible infections (STIs), including HIV. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between declining to report the number of partners using computer-assisted self-interviewing (CASI) and HIV or STI positivity at a public sexual health centre in Melbourne, Australia, in 2016. Methods: Individuals were categorised into three risk populations: women, men who have sex with women only (MSW) and men who have sex with men (MSM). Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between declining to report the number of sexual partners in the past 12 months and HIV or STI positivity for women and MSW, with generalised estimating equations (GEE) used for estimation in MSM to address repeated-measures within individuals. Results: In all, 18085 individuals (5579 women, 6013 MSW, 6493 MSM) were included in the final analysis. There was no association between chlamydia positivity and declining to respond among women and MSW. MSM who declined to respond were more likely to be chlamydia positive (adjusted odds ratio1.21; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.43). Known HIV-positive MSM and MSM newly diagnosed with HIV had 3.31-fold (95% CI 2.48–4.42) and 2.82-fold (95% CI 1.84–4.32) greater odds respectively of declining to respond compared with HIV-negative MSM. Gonorrhoea and syphilis positivity in MSM were not associated with declining to respond. Conclusions: There was no association between declining to report the number of partners and chlamydia positivity among women and MSW. However, MSM who declined to report the number of partners were slightly more likely to have chlamydia and substantially more likely to be HIV positive.



2015 ◽  
Vol 91 (6) ◽  
pp. 434-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Huffam ◽  
Eric P F Chow ◽  
Christopher K Fairley ◽  
Jane Hocking ◽  
Joanne Peel ◽  
...  


Author(s):  
Georgina Mayela Núñez-Rocha ◽  
Cynthia Karyna López-Botello ◽  
Ana María Salinas-Martínez ◽  
Hiram V. Arroyo-Acevedo ◽  
Rebeca Thelma Martínez-Villarreal ◽  
...  

Few studies have evaluated and contrasted the lifestyles and quality of life of university students by academic discipline. We compared university students’ lifestyle and quality of life, and schools’ compliance with health promotion guidelines. Then, needs were ranked and prioritized. This was a cross-sectional study carried out in a public university in Northeastern Mexico. Higher education students with no visual or hearing impairment from six different academic disciplines were included (N = 5443). A self-administered and anonymous questionnaire was applied that included the HPLP (Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile) and SF-12 scales. A check list was employed for measuring 26 on-site schools’ compliance with health promotion guidelines, and needs were ranked using Z-scores. The mean lifestyle was 53.9 ± 14.8 and the mean quality of life was 69.7 ± 5. Men had healthier lifestyles with more exercise and better stress management. The mean compliance with health promotion guidelines was 58.7%. Agricultural Sciences students had the highest need for improving both lifestyle and quality of life. Arts, Education, and Humanities, Engineering and Technology, and Social and Administrative Sciences schools ranked first in need for health promotion actions. The methodology used allowed hierarchization of areas requiring planning and implementation of specific actions, and the results indicated that healthy lifestyles and quality of life should be a priority.





2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 598-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent J Cornelisse ◽  
David Priest ◽  
Christopher K Fairley ◽  
Sandra Walker ◽  
Catriona S Bradshaw ◽  
...  

Previous studies have shown that men who have sex with men (MSM) who use smartphone dating applications (apps) are at higher risk of gonorrhoea, but not HIV. We have hypothesised that kissing may be a risk factor for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea. We measured differences in kissing practices among MSM who use different methods to find male casual sexual partners (CSPs). If MSM who use apps kiss more CSPs, then this may help to explain why these men are at increased risk of gonorrhoea but not HIV. This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study of MSM attending Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Australia, between March and September 2015. We measured differences in kissing practices among MSM who use different methods to find male casual sexual partners (CSPs). The questionnaire included questions about numbers of CSPs, numbers of CSPs kissed, and how men found CSPs. We surveyed 753 MSM with a median age of 29 years (interquartile range 25–36). Six hundred and one men (79.8%) reported using apps to find CSPs in the last three months. Users of apps had a higher number of CSPs than non-users (5.0 vs. 3.2; p < 0.001). Users of apps kissed a higher number (4.6 vs. 2.2; p < 0.001), and a higher proportion (90.4% vs. 71.0%; p < 0.001) of CSPs compared to non-users. We are currently investigating whether kissing is a significant mode of transmission of gonorrhoea, and if this proves correct then this study suggests that users of apps would particularly benefit from health promotion that addresses this mode of transmission.



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