Perilaku Beresiko di Komunitas Gay

Background: This study aims to describe how the efforts implemented by PKBI Semarang City and how the analysis of Islamic Guidance and counselling on PKBI Semarang City in overcoming the dangers of risky behavior in the gay community. Method: This study is a descriptive qualitative study that aims to find out the efforts made by PKBI Semarang City in overcoming the dangers of risky behavior in the gay community, which is then described in the form of a description of words or writings. The data collection techniques used in this study are with observations, interviews, and documentation. Results: PKBI Semarang City has several programs to prevent HIV / AIDS transmission, namely, outreach and assistance, especially key populations such as: WPS, WPS Customers, gay, and Transvestites with preventive materials including (condoms, pelican, KIE). Conducting socialization activities to increase knowledge about STIs and HIV / AIDS Information needs to be done continuously, for example by using the mechanism of weekly meetings. Clinics, to prevent the transmission of HIV / AIDS and detect the presence of HIV / AIDS early, by empowering to always live healthy. PKBI Semarang City has not implemented any full Islamic extension guidance but seen from the form of extension and coaching activities carried out both individually and in groups. In the extension of PKBI Semarang city has a significant influence on the gay community, this is seen from the number of people with HIV / AIDS which decreased compared to the previous year.

Sexually transmitted infections in pregnant women from sub-Saharan Africa

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major health problem in most countries of the world, particularly in developing countries where the resources and technology to diagnose and treat them are limited. Currently, there is limited data on STIs and risk factors for these infections in pregnant women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This review provides data on the prevalence and risk factors for STIs in pregnant women living with HIV from SSA. This review also describes the association between STIs and HIV on pregnancy and birth outcomes as well as highlights the importance of laboratory-based diagnosis of STIs.Method: An electronic search of online databases was used to find and collect relevant research articles connected to the prevalence, adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes, health complications and risk factors associated with STIs and HIV in pregnant women from SSA. The search was limited to articles published in English. Relevant studies were identified by searching literature from January 2001 to date. The search yielded 4709 results.Results: In SSA, STIs are highly prevalent in pregnant women and are widely known to be linked with an increased risk of poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. These infections are often asymptomatic and highly prevalent in pregnant women. The screening of STIs in pregnant women living with HIV can reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) and screening and treatment for STIs can also prevent adverse perinatal outcomes. It is important to recognise regional and national STI epidemics in order to promote STI prevention and control interventions considering the test and treat approach as opposed to syndromic management.Conclusion: This review highlights the need to use diagnostic screening methods instead of syndromic STI management in SSA. Moreover, more research into effective prevention and treatment measures for STIs in pregnant women is urgently required.

Improving methods of primary prevention of STIs and HIV infection among young people

Background. The article considers the possibility of raising awareness among young people about STIs and HIV infection. It presents the development of the mobile application Personal Sexual Health, which includes the following sections: Sexual Infections, Protect Yourself, Frequently Asked Questions, Get help and etc. Aim. Improving methods of primary prevention of STIs and HIV infection among young people using a mobile app. Materials and Methods. The mobile application (Personal Sexual Health) was developed taking into account previously conducted scientific (sociological) research on the level of awareness of STIs and HIV infection among young people in Novosibirsk. The development of the mobile application was carried out using Agile (agile software development) methodology. Results. It was found that young people trust online information and view the Internet as a reliable source of sexual health advice. In fact, the Internet is a useful tool for spreading the reliable information about sexual health and different events detecteded to prevention of STIs and HIV-infection. The concept of the mobile application Personal Sexual Health implies raising the awareness of young people on the prevention of STIs and HIV infection. The informational component of the mobile application Personal Sexual Health was developed taking into account the previously obtained results from a sociological survey of young people. Conclusion. The modern generation of young people is forming a new ethics of communication, and the Internet is a basic source of information about sexual health for most teens and young adults. However, the information from Internet is not always correct or sufficient. Using modern, relevant, and still gaining in popularity technology (mobile apps and social media) will help to better absorb information about STIs and HIV prevention programms among young people. Personal Sexual Health is the first mobile application in Russia dedicated to sexual health and primary prevention programms of STIs and HIV-infection among young people. Background. The article considers the possibility of raising awareness among young people about STIs and HIV infection. It presents the development of the mobile application Personal Sexual Health, which includes the following sections: Sexual Infections, Protect Yourself, Frequently Asked Questions, Get help and etc. Aim. Improving methods of primary prevention of STIs and HIV infection among young people using a mobile app. Materials and Methods. The mobile application (Personal Sexual Health) was developed taking into account previously conducted scientific (sociological) research on the level of awareness of STIs and HIV infection among young people in Novosibirsk. The development of the mobile application was carried out using Agile (agile software development) methodology. Results. It was found that young people trust online information and view the Internet as a reliable source of sexual health advice. In fact, the Internet is a useful tool for spreading the reliable information about sexual health and different events detecteded to prevention of STIs and HIV-infection. The concept of the mobile application Personal Sexual Health implies raising the awareness of young people on the prevention of STIs and HIV infection. The informational component of the mobile application Personal Sexual Health was developed taking into account the previously obtained results from a sociological survey of young people. Conclusion. The modern generation of young people is forming a new ethics of communication, and the Internet is a basic source of information about sexual health for most teens and young adults. However, the information from Internet is not always correct or sufficient. Using modern, relevant, and still gaining in popularity technology (mobile apps and social media) will help to better absorb information about STIs and HIV prevention programms among young people. Personal Sexual Health is the first mobile application in Russia dedicated to sexual health and primary prevention programms of STIs and HIV-infection among young people.

Intersectoral costs of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV: a systematic review of cost-of-illness (COI) studies

Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV can generate costs both within and outside the health sector (i.e. intersectoral costs). This systematic review aims (i) to explore the intersectoral costs associated with STIs and HIV considered in cost-of-illness (COI) studies, (ii) to categorise and analyse these costs according to cost sectors, and (iii) to illustrate the impact of intersectoral costs on the total cost burden. Methods Medline (PubMed), EMBASE (Ovid), Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EconLit and NHS EED were searched between 2009 and 2019. Key search terms included terms for cost-of-illness, cost analysis and all terms for STIs including specific infections. Studies were included that assessed intersectoral costs. A standardised data extraction form was adopted. A cost component table was established based on pre-defined sector-specific classification schemes. Cost results for intersectoral costs were recorded. The quality of studies was assessed using a modified version of the CHEC-list. Results 75 COI studies were considered for title/abstract screening. Only six studies were available in full-text and eligible for data extraction and narrative synthesis. Intersectoral costs were captured in the following sectors: Patient & family, Informal care and Productivity (Paid Labour). Patient & family costs were addressed in four studies, including patient out-of-pocket payments/co-payments and travel costs. Informal care costs including unpaid (home) care support by family/friends and other caregiver costs were considered in three studies. All six studies estimated productivity costs for paid labour including costs in terms of absenteeism, disability, cease-to-work, presenteeism and premature death. Intersectoral costs largely contributed to the total economic cost burden of STIs and HIV. The quality assessment revealed methodological differences. Conclusions It is evident that intersectoral costs associated with STIs and HIV are substantial. If relevant intersectoral costs are not included in cost analyses the total cost burden of STIs and HIV to society is severely underestimated. Therefore, intersectoral costs need to be addressed in order to ensure the total economic burden of STIs and HIV on society is assessed, and communicated to policy/decision-makers.

Substance Use and Chemsex in MSM - A Latent Class Analysis

Engagement in “chemsex” among men who have sex with men is associated with higher rates of STIs and HIV seroconversion as well as an increased mental health burden. MSM were recruited for an anonymous online survey. The survey included questions of substance use, consumption motives, sexual risk behavior, HIV serostatus, and psychological characteristics. A latent class analysis was used to identify subgroups based on the consumed substances. 597 MSM answered the questionnaire. The latent class analysis revealed four different clusters. Most men described the use of amyl nitrite and cannabis ( n = 370). One cluster consumed mainly MDMA, cocaine, and amphetamine ( n = 106) and another cluster used mainly chemsex-related drugs ( n = 43). A fourth cluster reported a range of consumed substances ( n = 78). This cluster reported higher rates of suicide attempts, STIs, and risk behaviors. Substances typically related to chemsex were consumed in a sexualized context to a relevant extent.

Automated STI/HIV risk assessments: Testing an online clinical algorithm in Ottawa, Canada

Despite the ongoing transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, many people became unable to access testing due to COVID-19. To address this, we created a mail-out HIV self-test kit, which could be delivered without restrictions in our region. The uptake and feedback from this project made us realize that comprehensive STI testing was being sought. To ensure testing occurred correctly—that is, it would be targeted at the persons most affected by STIs/HIV—we automated clinical decision-making. We built this model based on a 2-by-2 matrix that plots the risk of STI/HIV transmission and risk of STI/HIV exposure. The intercept of these two measures classifies a person as low, medium, or high risk. After automating this logic, 16 expert clinicians in STI/HIV care tested this system with over 400 test patient cases and refined the algorithm until it yielded the exact outcomes that these clinicians would offer patients based on guidelines. Findings of interest are that the scale of the y-axis is exponential, in that risk factors for exposure do not climb cumulatively but do so according to a quadratic equation. This helps ensure that testing services are targeted at those who are most inequitably burdened by these infections.

Preventive Behavior of Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV/AIDS Among Female Sex Workers in Gianyar Regency

Research conducted in 2018 regarding the use of condoms among female sex workers (FSW) in Sanur, Denpasar City, found that condom use had beed promoted, but there were still FSW who did not use condoms when dealing with customers. Gianyar Regency is an area with the second highest direct FSW after Denpasar City. Gianyar Regency has many locations and points of sexual transactions. One of the wellknown locaizations in Gianyar Regency is the one along the Baypass Ida Bagus Mantra. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct an exploratory study of STIs and HIV/AIDS prevention behavior in female sex workers in Gianyar Regency. This study used a qualitative method with purposive sampling technique on 15 informants consisting of female sex workers, pimps and friends/customers by conducting indepth interviews. The results showed that even though the use of condoms had been encouraged, there were also participants who did not use condoms when dealing with custumors. They mostly argued that their partners did not like the use of condoms in sexual intercourse. The low use of condoms is related to economic factors. If they use a condoms for sexual intercourse, it will reduce the income of FSW. In the prevention of STIs and HIV/AIDS, most FSW never did an HIV test

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men: Barriers and facilitators to healthcare access in Ottawa

Despite access to healthcare that is similar to the entire population, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) have worse rates for many pathologies, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, mental health, and substance use. To better understand the barriers to care that occur during healthcare interactions—in an effort to make recommendations to improve these clinical encounters—we engaged in focus groups with three groups of gbMSM. We explored the experiences and concerns of these men regarding healthcare. In total, we interviewed 32 men. Our findings identified that the two most pronounced barriers to delivery of comprehensive and impactful healthcare for gbMSM were (1) wariness and distrust of the healthcare system and fears of neglect and overt discrimination, and (2) a lack of knowledge among healthcare professionals about specific health concerns for MSM. Facilitators as identified by participants were (1) creating safe spaces where MSM are recognized, (2) not only developing but demonstrating an accepting and supportive therapeutic relationship with patients, and (3) attention to issues of disclosure and confidentiality. These findings highlight both ongoing issues in the delivery of healthcare for gbMSM in Canada, and tangible solutions that practitioners can implement immediately to address these problems.