Characterization of the Antibacterial Activity of an SiO2 Nanoparticular Coating to Prevent Bacterial Contamination in Blood Products

Technological innovations and quality control processes within blood supply organizations have significantly improved blood safety for both donors and recipients. Nevertheless, the risk of transfusion-transmitted infection remains non-negligible. Applying a nanoparticular, antibacterial coating at the surface of medical devices is a promising strategy to prevent the spread of infections. In this study, we characterized the antibacterial activity of an SiO2 nanoparticular coating (i.e., the “Medical Antibacterial and Antiadhesive Coating” [MAAC]) applied on relevant polymeric materials (PM) used in the biomedical field. Electron microscopy revealed a smoother surface for the MAAC-treated PM compared to the reference, suggesting antiadhesive properties. The antibacterial activity was tested against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in accordance with ISO 22196. Bacterial growth was significantly reduced for the MAAC-treated PVC, plasticized PVC, polyurethane and silicone (90–99.999%) in which antibacterial activity of ≥1 log reduction was reached for all bacterial strains tested. Cytotoxicity was evaluated following ISO 10993-5 guidelines and L929 cell viability was calculated at ≥90% in the presence of MAAC. This study demonstrates that the MAAC could prevent bacterial contamination as demonstrated by the ISO 22196 tests, while further work needs to be done to improve the coating processability and effectiveness of more complex matrices.

2021 CDC Update: Treatment and Complications of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated their Sexually-Transmitted Infection (STI) Treatment Guidelines with a revision to the approach to gonococcal infections in December 2020 and other STIs in July 2021. This article reviews the new recommendations and highlights important updates from the 2015 iteration that are crucial for primary care and community health practice.

Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions about HIV self-testing amongst college students in Namibia

Background: In 2019, the Namibian Ministry of Health introduced HIV self-testing (HIVST) as an additional strategy to increase uptake of HIV self-testing in traditionally hard-to-reach subpopulations, such as young adults and males. It is unclear how the utilisation of HIV self-testing iw optimised in young adults. The study objective is understanding knowledge, attitudes, and perception levels amongst college-going young adults in Namibia. Methods: This quantitative study utilised a sample of 97 young college students who received a pre-test structured questionnaire. One sample t-test was used to analyse the average score from the Likert scale. A cut-off p-value of 0.05 to determine statistical significance of variables was used. Logistic regression computation was used to identify independent variables significantly associated with the dependent variable. A univariate analysis was done on awareness and acceptability with statistical significance of p<0.05 to obtain preliminary insights into the association between independent and dependent variables. The net effect variables are assessed using multivariate analysis using STATA 13.1, taking into account confounding factors. Results: Out of the 97 participants, only 23.7% knew about HIV self-testing. The logistic regression had a significant association with awareness of HIV self-testing (p≤0.05): on condom use during a first sexual encounter; being with a single sexual partner in the last 12 months; not having a sexually transmitted infection. The univariate analysis revealed an association with the acceptability of HIV self-testing from females; those who live in urban settlements; having not had sexually transmitted infection in the last twelve months. Moreover, findings reveal there are low levels of awareness, yet participants had positive attitudes and levels of acceptability to HIV self-testing. Conclusion: This study shows promise if awareness through health education and promotion about HIV self-testing can be increased. This can form part of scaling up HIV testing in Namibia.

Informing Young Girls about the Risk of HPV Infection in Developing Cervical Cancer and Preventing

This study aims to provide detailed information about HPV as a widespread sexually transmitted infection, which is considered one of the most important factors in the occurrence of cervical cancer in young girls,emphasizing the connection between infection.Participants were 126 randomly choosed young girls at the master's level student at Sport University of Tirana.Date were collected using a questionnaire investigating risk factors as well as knowledge on this sexually transmitted infection of HPV where through a descriptive and informative letter which was distributed to all girls participating in this study.From this study it was observed that a significant number of them were aware of the virus and ways of transmission 81 girls (64.28%),of which 22 girls (17.46%) had in hearing that it was a sexually transmitted virus, 11 girls (8.73%) had read that this virus could cause cervical cancer, 9 (7.14%) of whom had heard of an HPV-related vaccine,while 3 of them (2.39) refused to complete this questionnaire.From the data collected in this study it was noticed that information and awareness campaigns should be carried out immediately for this age group as the most at risk in relation to sexually transmitted infections and in particular HPV,enabling in this form the ability to care more specifically for their health thus preventing very dangerous pathologies such as cervical cancer.However for this aspiration to be realized,in practice requires a greater understanding on the part of these young girls of the natural history of early HPV infection and its role in creating cervical epithelial abnormalities.

Syphilis in riverine communities: prevalence and associated factors

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of syphilis and associated factors in riverine communities. Method: This is a cross-sectional and analytical study carried out with 250 riverside dwellers living in five communities in the city of João Pessoa, state of Paraíba. Data were collected through interviews and rapid screening tests to investigate syphilis. Bivariate, logistic regression and weight of evidence analysis were performed to identify the association between risk factors and behavior variables and rapid test positivity. Results: he prevalence of syphilis was 11.6% (95%CI: 7.5–15.6). Riverside dwellers who have a previous history of Sexually Transmitted Infection (OR 8.00; 95%CI: 2.76–23.2), history of imprisonment (OR 7.39; 95%CI: 1.61–33.7) and who reported having more than two sexual partners in the last 12 months (OR 4.31; 95%CI: 1.55–11.9) were more likely to be positive for syphilis. Conclusion: High prevalence of syphilis among riverside dwellers and the presence of behavioral factors that increase vulnerability to acquiring the infection. The need to invest in preventive and screening strategies for syphilis in populations considered vulnerable is highlighted.

Improving sexually transmitted infection screening, testing, and treatment among people with HIV: A mixed method needs assessment to inform a multi-site, multi-level intervention and evaluation plan

Bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to be a worsening public health concern in the United States (US). Though the national incidence of HIV infection has decreased over recent years, that of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis have not. Despite national recommendations on prevention, screening, and treatment of these STIs, these practices have not been standardized. Nine Health Resources and Services Administration Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program funded clinics across 3 US jurisdictions (Florida, Louisiana, and Washington, DC), were selected as clinical demonstration sites to be evaluated in this mixed method needs assessment to inform a multi-site, multi-level intervention to evaluate evidence-based interventions to improve STI screening and testing of bacterial STIs among people with or at risk for HIV. These 3 US jurisdictions were selected due to having higher than national average incidence rates of HIV and bacterial STIs. Descriptive statistics and deductive analysis were used to assess quantitative and qualitative needs assessment data. Results indicate the following needs across participating sites: inconsistent and irregular comprehensive sexual behavior history taking within and among sites, limited routine bacterial STI testing (once/year and if symptomatic) not in accordance with CDC recommendations, limited extragenital site gonorrhea/chlamydia testing, limited annual training on STI-related topics including LGBTQ health and adolescent/young adult sexual health, and limited efforts for making high-STI incidence individuals feel welcome in the clinic (primarily LGBTQ individuals and adolescents/young adults). These findings were used to identify interventions to be used to increase routine screenings and testing for bacterial STIs.

The Impact of Reproduction Health Education Using Peer Mentoring Method Towards the Knowledge Level of Patients with Sexuality Transmitted Infection

Sexuality transmitted infections are often also reffered to as veneral diseases. The spread can be from blood, sperm, or can also be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy and birth, and through the blood and body tissues. In addition, spread can also without sexual intercourse, it can be from the use of syringes repeatedly or alternately, among people, as well as the risk of transmitting infection. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of reproduction health education using peer mentoring method towards the knowledge level of patients with sexuality transmitted infection. The study used one group pretest-posttest design. The data was collected by using a questionnaire. The respondent was selected by using total sampling technique and 27 respondents were obtained. The data was analyzed by using the Wilcoxon test. The result of the  value = 0,000, which meant  value < α (α = 0.05) there was an effect of reproduction health education using peer mentoring method towards the knowledge level of patients with sexuality transmitted infection. For researchers, next expected can be used as information to developed a method of information in other research.

Quality Initiative to Increase Delivery of Adolescent Hospital-Based Reproductive Health Care

OBJECTIVES: Hospitals are an important nontraditional setting in which to address adolescent reproductive health. However, opportunities for intervention are frequently missed, especially for boys and patients hospitalized for noningestion complaints. Our global aim was to increase delivery of reproductive health care to adolescents hospitalized through our children’s hospital Pediatric Hospital Medicine service. METHODS: We performed 2 quality improvement intervention cycles: (1) provider education and monthly reminder e-mails and (2) an automated electronic health record (EHR) adolescent history and physical note template with social history prompts while discontinuing reminder e-mails. The primary outcome measure was sexual history documentation (SHD). Secondary measures were sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and contraception provision. Statistical process control charts were used to analyze effectiveness of interventions. RESULTS: From July 2018 through June 2019, 528 Primary Hospital Medicine encounters were included in this study and compared with published baseline data on 150 encounters. Control charts revealed a special cause increase in SHD from 60% to 82% overall, along with 37% to 73% for boys and 57% to 80% for noningestion hospitalizations. Increased SHD correlated with cycle 1 and was maintained through cycle 2. Percent STI testing significantly increased but did not shift or trend toward special cause variation. Contraception provision, length of stay, and patient relations consultations were not affected. CONCLUSIONS: The interventions were successful in increasing SHD, including among boys and noningestion hospitalizations. The EHR enhancement maintained these increases after reminder emails were discontinued. Future interventions should specifically address STI testing and provision of contraception.