Prevalence and associated factors of sexually transmitted infections among methamphetamine users in Eastern China: a cross-sectional study

Background The reported incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in China has been increasing over the last decades, especially among drug users, which has become one of the main burdens of public health in China. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of STIs among non-injecting methamphetamine (MA) users in Eastern China. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 632 MA users in Eastern China in 2017. Demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, behaviors of MA use and sexual health knowledge were collected through questionnaire. First pass urine specimens were collected and detected for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) with Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology (NAAT), while blood specimens were collected and detected for antibodies of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2), and syphilis with enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA). Results Among the 632 MA users, 464 (73.42%) were males, 60.92% were < 35 years of age, 546 (86.39%) were Shandong residents. 317 (50.16%, 95% CI 46.26–54.06%) participants were tested positive for at least one kind of STIs, including 242 (38.29%, 95% CI 34.50–42.08%) for HSV-2, 107 (16.93%, 95% CI 14.01–19.85%) for active syphilis, 46 (7.28%, 95% CI 5.25–9.31%) for treated syphilis, 40 (6.33%, 95% CI 4.43–8.23%) for CT, 6 (0.95%, 95% CI 0.19–1.71%) for HIV, and 3 (0.47%, 95% CI 0.06–1.00%) for NG infection. 99 (15.66%, 95% CI 12.83–18.49%) participants were co-infected with two kinds of STIs, including 91 (14.40%, 95% CI 11.66–17.14%) participants were co-infected with HSV-2 and syphilis. 14 (2.22%, 95% CI 1.07–3.37%) participants were co-infected with three kinds of STIs, and 4 HIV positive participants were co-infected with both syphilis and HSV-2. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, the results showed that females (adjusted OR [AOR] = 7.30, 95% CI 4.34–12.30) and individuals ≥ 35 years of age (AOR = 2.97, 95% CI 2.04–4.32) were more likely to test positive for STIs among MA users, whereas participants who acquired sexual health knowledge primarily from the Internet (AOR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.40–0.82) and those whose regular partners did not use drugs (AOR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.37–0.94) were less likely. Conclusions This study found that the prevalence of HSV-2 and syphilis are alarming high among non-injecting MA users in Shandong Province in Eastern China. The prevention and control intervention of STIs among MA users in Shandong were needed, especially on females and MA users ≥ 35 years of age.

Sexual Health Knowledge and Attitude among the Sexually Abused Adolescents: A Single Centre Study

Introduction: Sexual education is an important step to prevent unwanted pregnancy, abortions and sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) in adolescent. Assessment of the sexual health knowledge and the attitude towards premarital sexual activity are essential to fill in this gap of knowledge. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the knowledge on the sexual health and attitude towards premarital sexual activity among the sexually abused adolescent. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 88 female teenagers who were admitted to Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia for sexual abuse. Using a self-administered validated Malay questionnaire, participants were guided to answer the question on knowledge and attitude. The attitude was categorized to a permissive and non-permissive attitude. Simple and multiple binary logistic regression were used to analyze the associated factors with the attitude. Result: The lowest percentage of correct responses included: penile discharge during ejaculation contains sperm (5.7%), pregnancy may not occur if having sexual intercourse once only (26.1%), having vaginal washing after sexual intercourse prevents pregnancies (19.3%). Forty-one (48.0%) of participants had a permissive attitude whereas forty-seven (53.4%) had a non-permissive attitude toward premarital sexual activity. Simple and multiple logistic regressions did not reveal any significant associated factors. Conclusion: The sexual health knowledge among sexually abused children was inadequate and they were at risk of permissive attitude toward premarital sexual activity. We could not identify any factors related to the permissive attitude in our study.

268An online survey of sexual health, knowledge and behaviour of young South Australians

Background Since 2010 rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs-chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis) have been increasing among young Australians. Most STIs are diagnosed in young people aged 16-29 and rates of diagnosis are higher among Aboriginal people than non-Aboriginal people. Little information exists to understand social and behavioural issues associated with increasing rate of STIs, especially in South Australia and among Aboriginal peoples. Methods We undertook an online cross-sectional survey of sexual health, knowledge and behaviour of young South Australians aged 16-29 years during a six-week period in 2019. Descriptive analysis, univariate and adjusted logistic regression models were used to compare Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal participants. Results In total 2,380 South Australians participated in the “Let’s Talk About It” (LTAI-2019); 52% were female, the median age was 20 years (IQR:17-24) and 10% of participants identified as Aboriginal. Regression analysis suggested among both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal participants being female (aOR 2.41, CI:1.07-3.51, & 3.03, 2.17-4.23 respectively) and not using a condom during last sexual encounter (2.33, 1.03-5.29 & 1.62, 1.15-2.27) were associated with ever being tested for an STI and having two or more sexual partners in the past 12 months (1.37, 0.67-7.45 & 3.13, 1.31-7.45) was associated with testing positive for an STI. Conclusions LTAI-2019 is the first study to describe factors associated with STIs among young South Australians. It is evident that young people are engaged in behaviours which increase their risk of acquiring STIs. Public health action which considers these behaviours particularly those that target young Aboriginal people is required. Key messages LTAI 2019 is the first study to describe current sexual health, knowledge, behaviours and access to health services for STIs and related issues amongst young South Australians. It provides evidence that is useful for informing both public health practice and policy, and the development of STIs preventative health programs.

Effect of Two Teaching Methods on Sexual Health Knowledge of In-School Adolescents in Enugu State, Nigeria

This quasi experimental study was designed to determine the effect of lecture and Socratic questioning teaching methods on mean sexual health knowledge gain of in-school adolescents in Enugu State, Nigeria. A sample of 310 senior secondary-two students in eight intact classes were drawn from 16,510 senior in-school adolescents using multi-stage sampling. Sexual health knowledge test comprising 50 items was used to test students’ knowledge of sexual health. Student t-test and ANOVA were used to test the hypotheses at α=0.05. There was significant difference in the mean sexual health knowledge gain scores of students taught with lecture and Socratic questioning methods (lecture x̄=9.25 > Socratic questioning x̄=7.25; p<0.01). There was statistically significant difference in the mean sexual health knowledge gain of students in urban and rural schools (P<0.001). Students in rural areas taught with lecture method had higher mean sexual health knowledge gain score (x̄=11.75) than those in the urban areas (x̄ = 7.50). Urban subjects taught with Socratic questioning had slightly higher mean sexual health knowledge gain score of x̄=7.26 compared to their rural counterparts that scored x̄=7.25. Lecture remains effective teaching method for improving sexual health knowledge of students. Health educators should use lecture methods for adolescents’ health instructions.