scholarly journals Associations between oral sex practices and frequent mouthwash use in men who have sex with men: implications for gonorrhoea prevention

Sexual Health ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiffany Phillips ◽  
Christopher K. Fairley ◽  
Sandra Walker ◽  
Eric P. F. Chow

Background Rates of gonorrhoea continue to rise among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Australia and worldwide. Recently, it has been proposed that oropharyngeal gonorrhoea may play a role in its onward transmission and that mouthwash use may be an effective intervention for gonorrhoea prevention and control. The objective of this study was to determine the association between specific oral sex practices and frequency of mouthwash use. Methods: A questionnaire-based study was conducted among MSM attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre in Australia from March to September 2015. Logistic regression was performed to examine the association between frequent mouthwash use (i.e. daily or weekly mouthwash use) and four oral sex practices (tongue kissing, receptive fellatio with or without ejaculation, and insertive rimming) among MSM. Results: Of the 918 MSM included in the final analysis, 490 men (53.4%) were frequent mouthwash users. Participants aged 24–34 years were 2.13-fold (95% CI 1.52–2.98) and those ≥35 years were 2.64-fold (95% CI 1.83–3.83) more likely to use mouthwash frequently than those aged ≤24 years. The most common oral sex practice was tongue kissing (n=874; 95.2%), followed by receptive fellatio without ejaculation (n=839; 91.4%), receptive fellatio with ejaculation (n=610; 66.5%), then insertive rimming (n=356; 38.8%). No significant association was found between frequent mouthwash use and tongue kissing, receptive fellatio with or without ejaculation, or insertive rimming with regular or casual male partners in the previous 3 months. Conclusions: Younger MSM are less likely to use mouthwash. There is no association between engaging in oral sex practices and frequent mouthwash use among MSM.

2020 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 246-250
Author(s):  
Mario Martín-Sánchez ◽  
Christopher K Fairley ◽  
Catriona S Bradshaw ◽  
Marcus Y Chen ◽  
Eric P F Chow

ObjectiveIn 2017, there was an outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) serogroup C among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Victoria, Australia. A government-funded free meningococcal (MenACWY) vaccination programme targeting all MSM living in Victoria was launched between December 2017 and December 2018. The aim of this study was to examine the vaccine uptake among MSM attending a sexual health clinic in Melbourne.MethodsThis was a retrospective clinical audit of MSM attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) during the vaccination programme. We calculated the proportion of MSM who received the meningococcal vaccine on their first visit and at any time during the programme. We performed univariable and multivariable logistic regression to identify the factors associated with the vaccine uptake on the first visit.ResultsOf the 10 370 MSM who attended MSHC, 55.5% received the vaccine on their first visit and 67.4% at any time during the programme. MSM had higher odds of receiving the vaccine on the first visit if they were aged 16–25 years (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.21; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.35) or 26–35 years (aOR 1.17; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.29) in comparison with MSM older than 35 years; were HIV-negative and not on pre-exposure prophylaxis (aOR 1.80; 95% CI 1.56 to 2.09); had more than four male partners in the last 12 months (aOR 1.16; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.27); had male partners only (aOR 2.24; 95% CI 1.96 to 2.55); or were born overseas (aOR 1.11; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.21).ConclusionsTwo-thirds of the MSM attending a sexual health clinic received at least one dose of meningococcal vaccine. The vaccination programme coincided temporally with a dramatic reduction in the incidence of IMD. Vaccination should be further promoted among MSM and men who have sex with both men and women.


Sexual Health ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent J. Cornelisse ◽  
Christopher K. Fairley ◽  
Sandra Walker ◽  
Tameka Young ◽  
David Lee ◽  
...  

We investigated whether men who have sex with men (MSM) would use mouthwash daily to prevent pharyngeal gonorrhoea. Ten MSM attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre were asked to use a Listerine® alcohol-containing mouthwash daily for 14 days in August 2015. Mouthwash was used at least once daily for 133 of 140 person-days (95% of days; 95% confidence interval 90–98%). All 10 men were willing to use mouthwash on a daily basis, and nine men were willing to use mouthwash after oral sex. This study showed that daily use of mouthwash is an acceptable intervention to prevent pharyngeal gonorrhoea in MSM.


2005 ◽  
Vol 10 (48) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Zagrebneviene ◽  
V Jasulaitiene ◽  
B Morkunas ◽  
S Tarbunas ◽  
J Ladygaite

On 7 October 2004, the Vilnius Public Health Centre reported five shigellosis cases in Vilnius, all typed as Shigellosis sonnei, to the National Centre for Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control. Preliminary patient data suggested that the infections were all acquired from unpasteurised milk curds bought from two markets in Vilnius.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jincong Yu ◽  
Ziyun Yang ◽  
Yuqin Wu ◽  
Ming Ge ◽  
Xuemei Tang ◽  
...  

Objectives: The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic has led to persistent negative psychological effects on the general public, especially on college students, who are highly susceptible to psychological difficulties, such as fear, anxiety, and depression. Little information is known about depressive symptoms among college students during the normalization stage of COVID-19 prevention and control in China. This study aimed to understand the prevalence of and factors associated with depressive symptoms after a long quarantine time and online learning at home among college students in Wuhan, China.Materials and Methods: A web-based survey was conducted from July to August 2020 during the Chinese summer holiday to collect data on sociodemographic variables, depressive symptoms, and their potential associated factors using an electronic questionnaire among college students in Wuhan, China. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) was used to measure depressive symptoms. Binary logistic regression was used to explore the factors associated with depressive symptoms.Results: A total of 9,383 college students were included in the analysis. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 15.8% (1,486/9,383) among college students. The binary logistic regression showed that the experience of being quarantined for observation or treatment, family members or friends dying of COVID-19, rarely or never seeking help from others, fewer supportive relatives or friends, less support from family in the past month, a worse relationship with parents at home, a longer time spent daily on electronic devices except for online learning, and feeling anxious in the face of returning to school were independently associated with a higher risk of depressive symptoms. Academic stress and concern about the epidemic were the main reasons for their anxiety.Conclusions: Targeted psychological intervention measures are recommended for college students to improve their mental health during the normalization stage of COVID-19 prevention and control.


Sexual Health ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 114
Author(s):  
Isabella Bradley ◽  
Rick Varma ◽  
Vickie Knight ◽  
Dimitra Iliakis ◽  
Leon McNally ◽  
...  

Background Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) have been increasing in men who have sex with men (MSM) in recent years; however, few studies have investigated the prevalence or antimicrobial resistance in rectal Mycoplasma genitalium in this group. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of rectal M. genitalium in MSM attending an urban sexual health service in Sydney, Australia, namely the Sydney Sexual Health Centre (SSHC), as well as estimate the rate of macrolide resistance. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted of rectally asymptomatic MSM having a rectal swab collected as part of their routine care. Participants self-collected a rectal swab to be tested for M. genitalium and completed a 14-item questionnaire that provided information on behavioural risk factors. The prevalence of rectal M. genitalium was determined and multivariate analysis was performed to assess the associations for this infection. Positive specimens then underwent testing for macrolide-resistant mutations (MRMs) using the ResistancePlus MG assay (SpeeDx, Eveleigh, NSW, Australia). Results: In all, 742 patients were consecutively enrolled in the study. The median age was 31 years (interquartile range 27–39 years), with 43.0% born in Australia. Overall, 19.0% of men were bisexual, 22.9% were taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and 4.3% were HIV positive. The prevalence of rectal M. genitalium was 7.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) 5.3–9.1) overall and 11.8% in those taking PrEP. On multivariate analysis, PrEP use was significantly associated with having rectal M. genitalium (odds ratio 2.01; 95% CI 1.09–3.73; P = 0.01). MRMs were detected in 75.0% (36/48; 95% CI 60.4–86.4%) of infections. Conclusion: Rates of rectal M. genitalium infection were high among asymptomatic MSM attending SSHC and MRMs were detected in 75% of infections. PrEP use was found to be significantly associated with rectal M. genitalium infection. These data contribute to the evidence base for screening guidelines in MSM.


Sexual Health ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nichole A. Lister ◽  
Anthony Smith ◽  
Christopher K. Fairley

Background: A recent audit indicated that a substantial proportion of men who have sex with men (MSM) were not screened for rectal gonorrhoea and chlamydia at the Melbourne Sexual Health Clinic, Melbourne, Australia. In response, screening guidelines for MSM were introduced at the clinic using a computer reminder. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the guidelines and alert on screening MSM for gonorrhoea and chlamydia. Methods: The medical records of MSM were reviewed for gonorrhoea and chlamydia screening by site (pharyngeal, urethral and rectal), four months before the implementation of the guidelines and alert (July to October 2002), and one year thereafter (beginning November 2002). Results: After the introduction of the guidelines there was a significant increase in rectal chlamydia testing (55% to 67%, P < 0.001), and significant reduction in pharyngeal chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing (65% to 28%, P < 0.001, and 83% to 76%, P = 0.015 respectively). The proportion of tests that were positive by any site did not change (7% to 7%). Conclusions: The introduction of a computer reminder for new guidelines was temporally associated with screening that conformed more closely to clinical guidelines.


2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent J Cornelisse ◽  
Christopher K Fairley ◽  
Tiffany Phillips ◽  
Sandra Walker ◽  
Eric PF Chow

‘Fuckbuddies’ are a type of regular sexual partner with whom men have ongoing sexual contact, generally in the absence of romantic attachment. We surveyed 989 men who have sex with men (MSM) at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Australia, with the aim of determining the frequency of ‘fuckbuddy’ partnerships among sexual health clinic attendees and assessing their sexual risk. The majority (60%) of 1139 regular partnerships were described as ‘fuckbuddies’. Most MSM (63%) with a ‘fuckbuddy’ had multiple ‘fuckbuddies’. MSM with ‘fuckbuddies’ were more likely to also have casual sexual partners (odds ratio [OR] 5.7; 95% confidence interval 3.6–8.9) and had more casual sexual partners (median of 4 versus 1, p < 0.001) and more rectal chlamydia (12.4% versus 5.7%; adjusted OR 2.3; p < 0.05) than MSM without ‘fuckbuddies’, and this risk persisted after adjusting for total numbers of sexual partners. Our findings suggest that patients with ‘fuckbuddies’ are at particular risk of sexually transmitted infections. We argue that clinicians should specifically ask about ‘fuckbuddy’ partnerships as part of their risk assessment during patient interviews, as these patients may benefit from HIV prevention strategies such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).


Sexual Health ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 188
Author(s):  
Anna L. Wilkinson ◽  
Megan S. C. Lim ◽  
Mark Stoové ◽  
Christopher K. Fairley ◽  
Marcus Chen ◽  
...  

Objectives To examine whether rectal gonorrhoea (RG; Neisseria gonorrhoeae) can be used as a lead indicator of trends in HIV diagnosis in men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: Data from a metropolitan sexual health centre in Victoria, Australia, on RG and HIV tests in HIV-negative MSM from January 2006 to December 2011 were examined. Results: Allowing RG a 12-month lead over HIV showed no concordance in proportion positive (r = 0.27; P-value = 0.28). Conclusions: The data do not support use of RG trends as a lead indicator of trends in HIV among MSM.


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.


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