scholarly journals The Acceptability and Feasibility of Implementing a Bio-Behavioral Enhanced Surveillance Tool for Sexually Transmitted Infections in England: Mixed-Methods Study (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonali Wayal ◽  
David Reid ◽  
Paula B Blomquist ◽  
Peter Weatherburn ◽  
Catherine H Mercer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Clinic Staff ◽  
Research And Innovation ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
Sexual Health Clinics

BACKGROUND Sexually transmitted infection (STI) surveillance is vital for tracking the scale and pattern of epidemics; however, it often lacks data on the underlying drivers of STIs. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the acceptability and feasibility of implementing a bio-behavioral enhanced surveillance tool, comprising a self-administered Web-based survey among sexual health clinic attendees, as well as linking this to their electronic health records (EHR) held in England’s national STI surveillance system. METHODS Staff from 19 purposively selected sexual health clinics across England and men who have sex with men and black Caribbeans, because of high STI burden among these groups, were interviewed to assess the acceptability of the proposed bio-behavioral enhanced surveillance tool. Subsequently, sexual health clinic staff invited all attendees to complete a Web-based survey on drivers of STI risk using a study tablet or participants’ own digital device. They recorded the number of attendees invited and participants’ clinic numbers, which were used to link survey data to the EHR. Participants’ online consent was obtained, separately for survey participation and linkage. In postimplementation phase, sexual health clinic staff were reinterviewed to assess the feasibility of implementing the bio-behavioral enhanced surveillance tool. Acceptability and feasibility of implementing the bio-behavioral enhanced surveillance tool were assessed by analyzing these qualitative and quantitative data. RESULTS Prior to implementation of the bio-behavioral enhanced surveillance tool, sexual health clinic staff and attendees emphasized the importance of free internet/Wi-Fi access, confidentiality, and anonymity for increasing the acceptability of the bio-behavioral enhanced surveillance tool among attendees. Implementation of the bio-behavioral enhanced surveillance tool across sexual health clinics varied considerably and was influenced by sexual health clinics’ culture of prioritization of research and innovation and availability of resources for implementing the surveys. Of the 7367 attendees invited, 85.28% (6283) agreed to participate. Of these, 72.97% (4585/6283) consented to participate in the survey, and 70.62% (4437/6283) were eligible and completed it. Of these, 91.19% (4046/4437) consented to EHR linkage, which did not differ by age or gender but was higher among gay/bisexual men than heterosexual men (95.50%, 722/756 vs 88.31%, 1073/1215; P<.003) and lower among black Caribbeans than white participants (87.25%, 568/651 vs 93.89%, 2181/2323; P<.002). Linkage was achieved for 88.88% (3596/4046) of consenting participants. CONCLUSIONS Implementing a bio-behavioral enhanced surveillance tool in sexual health clinics was feasible and acceptable to staff and groups at STI risk; however, ensuring participants’ confidentiality and anonymity and availability of resources is vital. Bio-behavioral enhanced surveillance tools could enable timely collection of detailed behavioral data for effective commissioning of sexual health services.

Unlinked anonymous HIV prevalence among New Zealand sexual health clinic attenders: 2005–2006

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 752-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
S M McAllister ◽  
N P Dickson ◽  
K Sharples ◽  
M R Reid ◽  
J M Morgan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
Undiagnosed Hiv ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Sexual Health Clinics

This unlinked anonymous study aimed at determining the prevalence of HIV among sexual health clinic attenders having blood samples taken for syphilis and/or hepatitis B serology in six major New Zealand cities over a 12-month period in 2005–2006. Overall, seroprevalence was five per 1000 (47/9439). Among men who have sex with men (MSM), the overall prevalence and that of previously undiagnosed HIV were 44.1 and 20.1 per 1000, respectively. In heterosexual men, the overall prevalence was 1.2 per 1000 and in women 1.4 per 1000. HIV remains to be concentrated among homosexual and bisexual men. Comparison with a previous survey in 1996–1997 suggests an increase in the prevalence of undiagnosed HIV among MSM and also an increase in the number of MSM attending sexual health clinics. The low prevalence of HIV among heterosexuals suggests no extensive spread into the groups identified at risk of other sexually transmitted infections.

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.

Epididymitis and its aetiologies in a central London sexual health clinic

2020 ◽  
pp. 095646242096387
Author(s):  
Venkateshwaran Sivaraj ◽  
Azraan Ahamed ◽  
Ruslan Artykov ◽  
Anatole Menon-Johansson
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Trichomonas Vaginalis ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Scrotal Pain ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
Results Management ◽  
Sexual Health Clinics

Epididymitis is a common cause of scrotal pain presentation in sexual health clinics; however, it is unclear what fraction is attributable to transmissible infections. We, therefore, reviewed the aetiologies causing epididymitis. A retrospective data analysis of all cases of epididymitis diagnosed from January 2018 to December 2018 in three sexual health clinics was conducted, collecting demographics, results, management and symptom resolution at two weeks follow up. A total of 127 cases of epididymitis (mean age 32 years, heterosexual 97, MSM 30) were included. Among them 14 cases (11%) were caused by sexual transmitted infections (<35 years n = 9; >35 years n = 5): seven cases of chlamydia, six gonorrhoea, one syphilis and one trichomonas vaginalis. There were three cases of urinary tract infection diagnosed. All cases were treated with antibiotics recommended by the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH). At two weeks follow up post-treatment 10 (7%) were symptomatic; 91% did not attend for follow up. Sexually transmitted infections were associated with acute epididymitis in 11% of this study cohort.

46. INNOVATION AND DESIGN: IMPROVING CONTACT TRACING IN SEXUAL HEALTH CLINICS

Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 302
Author(s):  
N. Edmiston ◽  
B. Henry ◽  
K. Barker ◽  
S. Aitken
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
Current Contact ◽  
Novel Approaches ◽  
Sexual Health Clinics ◽  
Ideal Method ◽  
Index Cases

Contact tracing (CT) is an integral part of sexually transmitted infection (STI) management. Although routinely conducted in most sexual health clinics (SHCs), the methods used may vary. To improve CT required novel approaches. First we audited the outcomes of current contact tracing methods. A major finding of this audit was that while CT was routinely recommended, outcomes were poorly recorded. We developed a sticker to be placed in the charts of clients with a traceable STI. This indicated the number of contacts requiring notification, and how many had been notified and treated at our clinic. This enabled a standardised approach to CT records and improved ability to audit outcomes. It also focused clinicians on the need to ensure followup of CT and to offer assistance when CT had not been done. Next, a brochure was developed to give to clients when diagnosed with a traceable STI. This brochure mentioned the reasons for contacting patterns, dispelled some myths that have been found in previous studies about telling partners and provided ideas about how to tell partners. In conjunction with this a SMS was developed, that could be sent to index cases' mobile phones, allowing them to forward the SMS to partners. This was seen as an ideal method for young people who frequently had mobile numbers of past partners but little other contact details. It was also able to be simple and quick. The next step will be reauditing the CT outcomes once the SMS and brochure are in established use.

scholarly journals P17.11 Public sexual health clinics increase access, hiv testing and re-testing among higher risk gay and bisexual men

2015 ◽  
Vol 91 (Suppl 2) ◽  
pp. A227.1-A227
Author(s):  
MS Jamil ◽  
D Callander ◽  
H Ali ◽  
G Prestage ◽  
V Knight ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Gay And Bisexual Men ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Sexual Health Clinics

scholarly journals Anorectal swabs as a marker of male-to-male sexual exposure in STI surveillance systems

2017 ◽  
Vol 145 (12) ◽  
pp. 2530-2535 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. H. AMPT ◽  
C. EL HAYEK ◽  
P. A. AGIUS ◽  
A. L. BOWRING ◽  
N. BARTNIK ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Internal Validation ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Sexual Health Clinics

SUMMARYIdentification of priority populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM) is important in surveillance systems to monitor trends of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We explored using routinely collected non-behavioural data as a means to establish MSM status in surveillance by assessing anorectal swab as a marker of male-to-male sexual exposure. We used chlamydia testing data from a sexual health clinic, 2007–2012. Men reporting any male sexual partner(s) in the previous 12 months were considered MSM. The dataset was split into development and validation samples to develop a univariate predictive model and assess the model fit. The dataset included 30 358 individual men and 48 554 episodes of STI testing; 45% were among reported MSM and an anorectal swab was performed in 40% of testing episodes. Anorectal swabbing had good diagnostic performance as a marker for MSM status (sensitivity = 87%, specificity = 99%, positive predictive value = 98·6%, negative predictive value = 90·3%). The model showed good fit against the internal validation sample (area under the curve = 0·93). Anorectal swabs are a valid marker of MSM behaviour in surveillance data from sexual health clinics, and they are likely to be particularly useful for monitoring STI trends among MSM with higher risk behaviour.

Fuckbuddy partnerships among men who have sex with men – a marker of sexually transmitted infection risk

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent J Cornelisse ◽  
Christopher K Fairley ◽  
Tiffany Phillips ◽  
Sandra Walker ◽  
Eric PF Chow
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Romantic Attachment ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Hiv Prevention Strategies ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Exposure Prophylaxis

‘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).

scholarly journals P3.160 Optimising existing sexual health clinics increases hiv testing among gay and bisexual men at higher risk of infection

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Shahid Jamil ◽  
Hamish Mcmanus ◽  
Denton Callander ◽  
Garrett Prestage ◽  
Hammad Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Gay And Bisexual Men ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Sexual Health Clinics
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document