scholarly journals Sexually transmitted infection diagnoses and access to a sexual health service before and after the national lockdown for COVID-19 in Melbourne, Australia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric P F Chow ◽  
Jane S Hocking ◽  
Jason J Ong ◽  
Tiffany R Phillips ◽  
Christopher K Fairey
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infection ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Sexual Health Service ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Clinical Conditions ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background We aimed to examine the impact of lockdown on sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses and access to a public sexual health service in the COVID-19 pandemic in Melbourne, Australia. Methods The operating hours of Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) remained the same during the lockdown. We examined the number of consultations and STI at MSHC between January and June 2020 and stratified the data into pre-lockdown (3-February to 22-March), lockdown (23-March to 10-May) and post-lockdown (11-May to 28-June) with seven weeks in each period. Incidence rate ratio (IRR) and its 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Poisson regression models. Results The total number of consultations dropped from 7,818 in pre-lockdown to 4,652 during lockdown (IRR=0.60;95%CI:0.57-0.62) but increased to 5,347 in the post-lockdown period (IRR=1.15;95%CI:1.11-1.20). There was a 68% reduction in asymptomatic screening during lockdown (IRR=0.32; 95%CI:0.30-0.35) but it gradually increased in the post-lockdown period (IRR=1.59;95%CI:1.46-1.74). STI with milder symptoms showed a marked reduction, including non-gonococcal urethritis (IRR=0.60;95%CI:0.51-0.72), and candidiasis (IRR=0.61;95%CI:0.49-0.76) during lockdown compared with pre-lockdown. STI with more marked symptoms did not change significantly, including pelvic inflammatory disease (IRR=0.95;95%CI:0.61-1.47) and infectious syphilis (IRR=1.14;95%CI:0.73-1.77). There was no significant change in STI diagnoses in post-lockdown compared to lockdown. Conclusions The public appeared to be prioritising their attendance for sexual health services based on the urgency of their clinical conditions. This suggests that the effectiveness of clinical services in detecting, treating and preventing onward transmission of important symptomatic conditions is being mainly preserved despite large falls in absolute numbers of attendees.

Demand for sexual health services during the Olympic Games: both sides of the Sherman effect

2003 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 307-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna M McNulty ◽  
Richard Rohrsheim ◽  
Basil Donovan
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Olympic Games ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Care Utilization ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Centre Database ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Olympic Games

To determine the impact of the Olympic Games the Sydney Sexual Health Centre database was accessed for demographic, health care utilization, and morbidity variables for two periods of interest: 15-29 September 2000 (the 'Olympic period'), and 1-30 September 1999 ('1999 comparison period'). Differences were tested by chi-square statistics and by calculation of odds ratios (ORs) using SPSS. During the Olympic period twice as many of the new patients had arrived in Australia that year (35% c.f. 18%: OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.49-4.05, P=0.0002). Per attendance the proportion with symptoms or a known sexually transmitted infection (STI) contact was higher during the Games (29% c.f. 16% OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.1.27-2.21, P=0.0002) and there was a marginally higher yield of bacterial STIs (6% c.f. 3%: OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.06-3.13 P=0.03). The normal clinic population was replaced by an increased proportion of symptomatic patients who were recent arrivals in Australia.

An express sexual health service: in and out in a jiffy

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 273
Author(s):  
Peta Harrison ◽  
Catriona Ooi ◽  
Timothy E. Schlub
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Sexual Health Service ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Traditional Service ◽  
Service Option ◽  
High Level

Objectives The aims of the present study were to assess client satisfaction with existing services, gauge the interest in an express service option and to compare waiting times before and after the introduction of an express service. Methods A survey evaluating satisfaction with existing services, waiting times and interest in an express service was offered to all clients attending the Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre in May 2013. A pilot of the express service ran from May to December 2013, and a follow-up survey was conducted in December 2013. Results There was a high level of interest in the express service. Median waiting times and satisfaction with waiting times improved following introduction of the express clinic. A high level of satisfaction was reported in those who had used the express service. Conclusions The express service was well received by clients and has the potential to improve client waiting times, increase clinic capacity and improve the overall client journey through the clinic. What is known about the topic? Express service options for testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are being introduced both in Australia and overseas. Express services have been shown to increase clinic capacity and can create cost savings. They appear to be acceptable to clients. What does this paper add? This paper demonstrates that an express service option can be successfully introduced in an at-risk multicultural population. What are the implications for practitioners? The present study helps show that new models can be successfully introduced into long-standing traditional service models. Such models can help improve efficiency, clinic capacity and may produce cost savings. An express clinic is an option for screening asymptomatic clients for STIs. Clients complete a self-collected history and take self-collected specimens, and clinician-collected blood tests and throat swabs are advised accordingly.

scholarly journals Does online sexually transmitted infection screening compromise care? A service evaluation comparing the management of chlamydial infection diagnosed online and in clinic

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 528-532
Author(s):  
Nur Gasmelsid ◽  
Benjamin CB Moran ◽  
Tom Nadarzynski ◽  
Rajul Patel ◽  
Elizabeth Foley
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infection ◽  
Chlamydial Infection ◽  
Service Evaluation ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
The United Kingdom

Patient demand on sexual health services in the United Kingdom is so high that many services have introduced online screening to accommodate more patients. There are concerns that these services may not be accessible to all. This service evaluation was undertaken to determine whether online screening is accessible by those patients most at need by comparing the demographics and number of asymptomatic chlamydial infections detected online and in clinic. No difference was found in the age nor level of deprivation, demonstrating that online services are an accessible way to screen for sexually transmitted infections without overburdening established services.

Audit on management of sexual assault victims attending an integrated sexual health service in Coventry

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. 911-914
Author(s):  
Billakanti Swarna Kumari ◽  
Shyamalie Bopitiya ◽  
Anne Bassinder ◽  
Satyajit Das
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Ethnic Origin ◽  
Post Exposure Prophylaxis ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexual Health Service ◽  
Assault Victims ◽  
Hiv Risk Assessment

The management of victims of sexual assault need a holistic approach. The British Association of Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) has set up standards for the management of sexual assault victims attending Sexual Health Clinics. We audited the management of victims of sexual assault attending an integrated sexual health service against recommendations from the latest BASHH guidelines. We included the recommendations and implementations already in place following an earlier audit in 2013 using the same guideline. Sixty-seven individuals identified themselves as victims of sexual assault. Most were of white ethnic origin (78%), female (96%) and the commonest age group was 18–25 years (39%). We achieved the 100% target in recording the date of assault, offering baseline sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening, HIV risk assessment, offer of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV where applicable and offer of emergency contraception. We were below the 100% target for other categories but improved compared to the previous audit except in recording the time when the first dose of PEP for HIV was given. The BASHH guideline has 14 auditable standards, all with a target of 100%. Our audit cycle completed in three years showed considerable improvement in achieving the standards in the management of Sexual Assault Victims. We hope this will encourage other centres audit their practice against the standards set by BASHH.

Safeguarding outcomes of 16 and 17-year-old service users of Sexual Health London (SHL.uk), a pan-London online sexual health service

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (14) ◽  
pp. 1373-1379
Author(s):  
Sara Day ◽  
Ryan Kinsella ◽  
Sophie Jones ◽  
Victoria Tittle ◽  
Tara Suchak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Child Protection ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
Sti Testing ◽  
Sexual Health Service ◽  
Sexual Health Clinics

Guidance around how to safeguard young people using online sexual health services (e-SHSs) is limited. Sexual Health London (SHL.uk) is an e-SHS, integrated with London’s sexual health clinics (SHCs), offering users aged 16 years and above sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing. For a safeguarding risk assessment, under 18s must complete a safeguarding e-triage, and any concern raised results in a ‘call back’ (CB) by the SHL.uk team. The safeguarding outcomes of CBs between 8 January 2018 and 18 September 2018 were reviewed; 261/454 (57.5%) users never triggered a CB on their e-triage (non-CB group) and 193/454 (42.5%) users triggered one or more CB(s) (CB group). Safeguarding concerns disclosed predominantly related to drug/alcohol use and partner's age imbalance. Successful telephonic risk assessment took place in 84.5% CB cases. Safeguarding outcomes comprised referrals to: SHC in 35.5%; child protection team in 8.5%; social services in 7%. STI positivity was 16.4% and 15.2% in the CB and non-CB groups, respectively. Although a high number of safeguarding triggers were disclosed, only a small proportion warranted referral for further support/intervention. Using e-triage with telephony support to screen and safeguard adolescents accessing an e-SHS was acceptable to users and enabled their clinical and safeguarding needs to be safely met. e-SHS integration within a network of SHCs further supported this model.

Emerging sexually transmitted viral infections: Review of human T-lymphotropic virus-1 disease

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJ Caswell ◽  
K Manavi
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽  
Sexually Transmitted Infection ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Sexual Transmission ◽  
Significant Morbidity ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
T Lymphotropic Virus ◽  
The Third

Human T-lymphotropic virus-1 is a preventable sexually transmitted infection. In the majority of people it is asymptomatic, remaining undiagnosed and thereby contributing to its silent transmission. When it does manifest it causes significant morbidity and mortality. This review summarises the existing evidence for its role in sexual transmission and offers suggestions for those working in the area of sexual health. This is the third part of a series looking at novel sexually transmitted infections.

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