scholarly journals Associations between oral sex practices and frequent mouthwash use in heterosexuals: a cross-sectional survey in Melbourne, Australia

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e041782
Author(s):  
Tiffany R Phillips ◽  
Christopher K Fairley ◽  
Catriona S Bradshaw ◽  
Marjan Tabesh ◽  
Kate Maddaford ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the frequency of mouthwash use and its association to oral sex practice in heterosexuals.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingData obtained from a sexual health clinic in Victoria, Australia, between March 2019 and April 2019.ParticipantsHeterosexual men and women attending the sexual health clinic answered a survey using computer-assisted self-interview.Primary and secondary outcome measuresUnivariable and multivariable logistic regression were performed to examine the association between frequent mouthwash use (ie, daily or weekly mouthwash use) and oral sex practices (including tongue kissing, fellatio, cunnilingus and insertive rimming).ResultsThere were 681 heterosexuals included in the analysis: 315 (46.3%) men and 366 (53.7%) women. Of participants, 302 (44.3%) used mouthwash frequently, 173 (25.4%) used mouthwash infrequently and 206 (30.2%) never used mouthwash. There was no significant difference in the proportion of frequent mouthwash users between men and women (46.4% of men vs 42.6% of women; p=0.329). The proportion of frequent mouthwash users increased with increasing age groups (39.3% in ≤24 years, 45.2% in 25–34 years and 52.8% in ≥35 years or older; ptrend=0.039) with those aged ≥35 years having a 1.80 times (95% CI: 1.12 to 2.89) higher odds of being a frequent mouthwash user than those aged ≤24 years. There were no significant associations between frequent mouthwash users had sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk after adjusting for age and country of birth.ConclusionOlder heterosexuals are more likely to use mouthwash. Given the high proportion and associations of mouthwash use in heterosexuals, future investigations related to oral STIs in this group should include mouthwash use.

2021 ◽  
pp. sextrans-2020-054525
Author(s):  
Myrte Tielemans ◽  
Mireille van Westreenen ◽  
Corné Klaassen ◽  
Hannelore M Götz

ObjectivesEuropean guidelines advise the use of dual nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) in order to minimise the inappropriate diagnosis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) in urogenital samples from low prevalence areas and in extragenital specimens. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the effect of confirmatory testing and confirmation policy on the Ng-positivity in a population visiting the sexual health clinic in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.MethodsApart from urogenital testing, extragenital (oropharyngeal/anorectal) testing was performed for men who have sex with men (MSM) and according to sexual exposure for women and heterosexual men. Ng detection using NAAT was performed using BD Viper and for confirmatory testing BD MAX. Sexual transmitted infection consultation data were merged with diagnostic data from August 2015 through May 2016.ResultsIn women (n=4175), oral testing was performed in 84% and 22% were tested anally. In MSM (n=1828), these percentages were 97% and 96%, respectively. Heterosexual men (n=3089) were tested urogenitally. After confirmatory testing, oropharyngeal positivity rates decreased from 7.3% (95% CI 6.5 to 8.2) to 1.5% (95% CI 1.1 to 1.8) in women and from 13.9% (95% CI 12.3 to 15.5) to 5.4% (95% CI 4.3 to 6.4) in MSM. Anorectal positivity rates decreased from 2.6% (95% CI 1.6 to 3.7) to 1.8% (95% CI 0.9 to 2.6) in women and from 9.3% (95% CI 7.9 to 10.7) to 7.2% (95% CI 6.0 to 8.5) in MSM. Urogenital Ng-positivity rate ranged between 3.0% and 4.4% and after confirmation between 2.3% and 3.9%. When confirming oropharyngeal samples, Ng-positivity was 3.8% in women, 3.0% in heterosexual men and 12.5% in MSM. Additional confirmation of urogenital and anorectal samples led to 3.0% Ng positivity in women, 2.7% in heterosexual men and 11.4% in MSM.ConclusionsConfirmation of urogenital and anorectal samples reduced the Ng-positivity rates, especially for women. However, as there is no gold standard for the confirmation of Ng infection, the dilemma within public health settings is to choose between two evils: missing diagnoses or overtreatment. In view of the large decrease in oropharyngeal positivity, confirmation Ng-positivity in oropharyngeal samples remains essential to avoid unnecessary treatment.


Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Rissel ◽  
Wendy Heywood ◽  
Richard O. de Visser ◽  
Judy M. Simpson ◽  
Andrew E. Grulich ◽  
...  

Background Current information about the characteristics of Australian adults’ first vaginal intercourse and contraception or precautions used on that occasion is needed, as well as whether these characteristics have changed between 2001–02 and 2012–13. Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a representative sample of 20 094 men and women aged 16–69 years. The overall participation rate among eligible people was 66.2%. Respondents indicated their age at first vaginal intercourse and first oral sex. Those who reported vaginal intercourse were asked the age of their partner, their relationship to their partner, the duration of this relationship, and what contraception or precautions (if any) were used. Results: There was a significant decline in the median age of first vaginal intercourse for both men and women among those born between the 1940s and the 1960s, but no further decline since. There has also been a significant increase in the use of protection at first vaginal intercourse, from less than 20% of men and women in the 1950s to over 90% in the 2000s. For men and women, first vaginal sex before age 16 years was significantly associated with a greater number of lifetime and recent sexual partners, and a greater likelihood of having had a sexually transmitted infection. Conclusion: Given the earlier age at first vaginal intercourse, sex education should begin earlier so that all young people have information about contraception and disease prevention before they begin their sexual careers.


Author(s):  
Tiffany R. Phillips ◽  
Heidi Constantinou ◽  
Christopher K. Fairley ◽  
Catriona S. Bradshaw ◽  
Kate Maddaford ◽  
...  

Sex practices among heterosexuals are not well studied. We aimed to explore sexual practices among heterosexuals attending a sexual health clinic. This cross-sectional survey was conducted at Melbourne Sexual Health Centre between March and April 2019. Data were collected on kissing, oral sex (fellatio or cunnilingus), vaginal sex, anal sex and rimming in the previous 3 months. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between engaging in anal sex and other sex practices. There were 709 participants (333 men; 376 women) who were eligible and completed the survey (response rate was 24.6%). In the past 3 months, most participants had had vaginal sex (n = 677; 95.5%), with a mean of 3.0 (standard deviation (SD): 3.9) vaginal sex partners, and half reported engaging in condomless vaginal sex in the past 3 months (n = 358; 50.1%). A total of 135 (19.0%) participants had had anal sex, with a mean of 1.3 (SD: 1.0) anal sex partners, with 63.5% (n = 94) engaging in any condomless anal sex in the past 3 months. Most participants (n = 637, 89.8%) had received oral sex in the past 3 months; this proportion did not differ by age group or gender. Women (n = 351, 93.4%) were more likely to perform oral sex than men (n = 275; 82.6% men) (p < 0.001) and to have received rimming (26.6% women vs. 12.6% men; p < 0.001). Men were more likely to have performed rimming (25.5% men vs. 9.3% women; p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, number of partners and sexual practice, anal sex was associated with being ≥35 years (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.3; 95% CI: 1.2–4.2), receiving rimming (aOR: 3.8; 95% CI: 2.4–6.0) and performing rimming (aOR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.8–4.6). Rimming and anal sex are practiced by one-fifth or more of heterosexuals. Older heterosexuals were more likely to engage in anal sex and to perform rimming. Future research should consider the benefits of testing extragenital sites where appropriate.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e043814
Author(s):  
Mesfin Tadese ◽  
Andargachew Kassa ◽  
Abebaw Abeje Muluneh ◽  
Girma Altaye

ObjectivesThe study aimed to provide an association between dysmenorrhoea and academic performance among university students in Ethiopia. Further, the study attempts to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of dysmenorrhoea.Design and methodInstitution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 April to 28 April 2019. A semistructured and pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Binary logistic regression analysis and one-way analysis of variance were performed to model dysmenorrhoea and academic performance, respectively.Setting and participantsEthiopia (2019: n=647 female university students).OutcomesThe primary outcome is dysmenorrhoea, which has been defined as painful menses that prevents normal activity and requires medication. The self-reported cumulative grade point average of students was used as a proxy measure of academic performance, which is the secondary outcome.ResultsThe prevalence of dysmenorrhoea was 317 (51.5%). The educational status of father (adjusted OR (AOR) (95% CI) 2.64 (1.04 to 6.66)), chocolate consumption (AOR (95% CI) 3.39 (95% 1.28 to 8.93)), daily breakfast intake (<5 days/week) (AOR (95% CI) 0.63 (0.42 to 0.95)), irregular menstrual cycle AOR (95% CI) 2.34 (1.55 to 3.54)) and positive family history of dysmenorrhoea AOR (95% CI) 3.29 (2.25 to 4.81)) had statistically significant association with dysmenorrhoea. There was no statistically significant difference in academic performance among students with and without dysmenorrhoea (F (3611)=1.276, p=0.28)).ConclusionsDysmenorrhoea was a common health problem among graduating University students. However, it has no statistically significant impact on academic performance. Reproductive health officers should educate and undermine the negative academic consequences of dysmenorrhoea to reduce the physical and psychological stress that happens to females and their families.


Author(s):  
Kanadi Sumapraja ◽  
Hilda R Badruddin

Objective: to evaluate whether maternal progesterone and estradiol levels could be used to predictthe success ofinduction of labour (IOL) Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Women’s Health Clinic as well as delivery suite of Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital during the period of May 2016 to April 2017. Blood samples of term pregnant women who were indicated for IOL wereobtainedbefore birth. Results:A total 44 subject were recruited in this study.Of these, 24 subjects had successful IOL while the other 20 subjects had IOL failure. There was no significant difference of progesterone among both groups (66,7% vs 75%, p=0,55). The estradiol levels in subjects who successfully performed induction had an average of 16,916.28 ± 2,574.75 pg/mL which did not differ significantly from the failed of induction group with estradiol levels of 14,832.24 ± 2374.47 pg/mL (p = 0,65). Conclusion:We found no significant association between both maternal progesterone and estradiol levels and the success rate of IOL. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm whether progesterone and estradiol play pivotal roles in the success of IOL. Keywords: progesterone, estradiol, induction of labour   Tujuan: mengevaluasi kadar progesteron dan estradiol ibu sebagai prediktor kesuksesan induksi persalinan Metode: Penelitian ini menggunakan desain potong lintang yang berlangsung pada bulan Mei 2016 hingga April 2017 di Poliklinik dan IGD Kebidanan Rumah Sakit Umum Pusat Rujukan Nasional Cipto Mangunkusumo. Pasien hamil aterm yang dilakukan induksi persalinan dan memenuhi kriteria penelitian akan diambil sampel darah sebelum persalinan. Hasil: Dari 44 subjek yang mengikuti penelitian, 24 subjek berhasil dilakukan induksi persalinan dan 20 subjek gagal.Tidakterdapatperbedaanbermaknapadakadarprogesterone Antarakeduagrup(66,7% vs 75%, p=0,55). Kadar estradiol padapasien yang berhasildilakukaninduksimemiliki rata-rata 16.916,28 + 2.574,75pg/mL yang tidakberbedajauhdengankadar estradiol pasien yang gagalinduksiyaitu 14.832,24 + 2374,47pg/mL (p = 0,65). Kesimpulan: Tidakterdapat perbedaan bermakna antara kadar progesteron dan estradiol maternal terhadap keberhasilan induksi persalinan. Penelitian lebih lanjut dengan jumlah sampel yang lebih besar dibutuhkan untuk mengkonfirmasi hubungan ini dengan lebih baik. Kata kunci: progesteron, estradiol, induksi persalinan


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. e027154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huaxing Meng ◽  
Shanshan Wang ◽  
Junhong Guo ◽  
Yarong Zhao ◽  
Shuhui Zhang ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo investigate the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment and the relationship with plasma aluminium among aluminium workers.DesignThis was a cross-sectional case-control study in the SH Aluminium Factory, China.SettingThe university and affiliated hospital cooperated in the study.ParticipantsThere were 910 aluminium workers on duty, among whom 853 participated in our study. Participants, such as those with cerebral vascular disease, epilepsy, brain trauma, Parkinson’s and mental diseases, aluminium-containing drug and mental drug use, and any family history of dementia in first-degree relatives were excluded.Primary and secondary outcome measuresBlood samples were collected, and plasma aluminium was measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. For each case, four age-matched controls were evaluated to determine the relationship between aluminium exposure and mild cognitive impairment. Conditional logistic regression was used to explore influential factors in mild cognitive impairment.ResultsAmong 910 workers, 93.74% participated in stage 1; 53 cases were finally diagnosed. The crude prevalence of mild cognitive impairment among aluminium workers on duty was 6.21%. There was a significant difference in plasma aluminium concentration between the two groups. In the multivariate analysis, we found that a higher level of plasma aluminium was associated with a high risk of cognitive impairment when compared with a lower aluminium level (AOR=2.24, 95% CI=1.17 to 4.26), and a high education level was a protective factor (AOR=0.36, 95% CI=0.18 to 0.70). No other factor was statistically significant.ConclusionsMild cognitive impairment is no longer a disease specific to elderly people. High plasma aluminium exposure might be associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment, but a reduced risk was observed with a high education level. The cognitive function of aluminium workers on duty must be considered seriously.


Author(s):  
Raquel Casado Santa-Bárbara ◽  
César Hueso-Montoro ◽  
Adelina Martín-Salvador ◽  
María Adelaida Álvarez-Serrano ◽  
María Gázquez-López ◽  
...  

Sexually transmitted infections are an important public health issue. The purpose of this study is to analyse the association between different sexual habits and the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections in the population of Granada who consult with a specialised centre. An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted based on the medical records of 678 people from the Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Sexual Orientation Centre of Granada, who were diagnosed positively or negatively with a sexually transmitted infection, during the 2000−2014 period. Sociodemographic and clinical data, as well as data on frequency and type of sexual habits, frequency of condom use and sexually transmitted infection positive or negative diagnosis were collected. Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted. The most popular sexual habits were vaginal intercourse, oral sex (mouth–vagina and mouth–penis) and the least popular were anus–mouth and anal sex. The use of condom is frequent in vaginal and anal sex and less frequent in oral sex. Sexually transmitted infection is associated with mouth–penis (p = 0.004) and mouth–vagina (p = 0.023) oral sex and anal sex (p = 0.031). It is observed that there is a relationship between the presence of STIs and oral sex practices, people having such practices being the ones who use condoms less frequently. There is also a relationship between anal sex and the prevalence of STIs, although in such sexual practice the use of condom does prevail.


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 (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.


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