The challenge of providing medical follow-up for sexual assault victims: can we predict who will attend? A retrospective cross-sectional study
This study examines the impact of a trauma-informed pathway developed to improve numbers attending follow-up. The pathway did increase numbers attending. We compared the characteristics of those who attended follow-up to those who did not attend. No modifiable characteristics were found to be significant. The number of chlamydia infections found in this population demonstrates the need for flexible options for follow-up, such as home testing. (Source: Sexual Health)
Source: Sexual Health - August 21, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: L. M. Healey J. L. Hutchinson M. N. Pfeiffer L. Garton B. Hatten M. Dobbie L. Simpson D. J. Templeton Source Type: research
Barriers to optimal management of syphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis in south-east Queensland: a qualitative investigation
James A. Fowler, Sarah Warzywoda, Clare Nourse, Mandy Wu, Sumudu Britton, Diane Rowling, Paul Griffin, Mattea Lazarou, Zoe Hamilton, Judith A. Dean Syphilis in pregnancy can have life-long health impacts for mothers and babies and is on the rise in many high-income countries such as Australia. Healthcare providers are vital in improving outcomes for mothers and babies, but our findings show optimal management is hindered by poor communication, unclear guidelines, and knowledge deficits. To improve the provision of care offered it is important for healthcare systems address this multi-faceted issue. (Source: Sexual Health)
Source: Sexual Health - August 21, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: James A. Fowler Sarah Warzywoda Clare Nourse Mandy Wu Sumudu Britton Diane Rowling Paul Griffin Mattea Lazarou Zoe Hamilton Judith A. Dean Source Type: research
Perspectives of a peer-driven approach to improve pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV prevention among Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino men who have sex with men
This study aims to explore the feasibility of implementing a peer approach for improving pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among Black/African American (B/AA) and Hispanic/Latino (H/L) men who have sex with men (MSM). Study findings will be used to develop a peer approach for a real-world implementation. Participants were interviewed for their perspectives on such a peer approach, including willingness to disseminate PrEP knowledge and potential barriers to initiating PrEP. (Source: Sexual Health)
Source: Sexual Health - August 3, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Jun Tao Collette Sosnowy Trisha Arnold Jhanavi Kapadia Hannah Parent Brooke G. Rogers Alexi Almonte Philip A. Chan Source Type: research
Do pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users engaging in chemsex experience their participation as problematic and how can they best be supported? Findings from an online survey in Belgium
T. Vanbaelen, A. Rotsaert, E. Van Landeghem, C. Nöstlinger, B. Vuylsteke, T. Platteau, C. Herrijgers, T. Reyniers One-third of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users engage in chemsex (or sexualised drug use) and about one in four experience negative consequences of it. Nearly half of them reported to be willing to reduce the chemsex-related risks with health care providers and online apps as preferred support options. We recommend embedding comprehensive chemsex support in the PrEP package of care and developing novel tools and interventions in order to reach maximum impact. (Source: Sexual Health)
Source: Sexual Health - July 25, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: T. Vanbaelen A. Rotsaert E. Van Landeghem C. N & #xf6;stlinger B. Vuylsteke T. Platteau C. Herrijgers T. Reyniers Source Type: research
Trends and associated factors in HIV testing among heterosexual men and women in Melbourne, Australia, 2011 & #x2013;2020
Warittha Tieosapjaroen, Jason J. Ong, Christopher K. Fairley, Kanwal Saleem, Tiffany R. Phillips, Julien Tran, Catriona S. Bradshaw, Marcus Y. Chen, Eric P. F. Chow Despite the increase in the proportion of HIV notifications attributed to heterosexuals in Australia, little is known about their HIV testing practices. Among heterosexuals attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre for the first time between 2011 and 2020, the odds of ever HIV testing werelow (40.8%), and individuals who engaged in condomless sex and had another STI were less likely to be tested. To reduce HIV transmission, strategies to improve HIV testing ...
Source: Sexual Health - July 20, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Warittha Tieosapjaroen Jason J. Ong Christopher K. Fairley Kanwal Saleem Tiffany R. Phillips Julien Tran Catriona S. Bradshaw Marcus Y. Chen Eric P. F. Chow Source Type: research
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and sexualised drug use among men who have sex with men: a systematic review
Dean J. Connolly, Ece Eraslan, Gail Gilchrist Sexualised use of drugs during the height of the pandemic, particularly those compromising the immune system, increased the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission and harm. This review, which synthesised published literature to determine if there was a change in this behaviour among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, identified that sexualised drug use persisted and may have become increasingly common. The scale of public health and individual sexualised drug use interventions may need to be increased. (Source: Sexual Health)
Source: Sexual Health - July 18, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Dean J. Connolly Ece Eraslan Gail Gilchrist Source Type: research
Time, scope and resources: why U=U makes programmatic sense for Nigeria
Dorcas T. Magbadelo, Abimbola Phillips, Pius Christopher-Izere, Bolanle Oyeledun There has been a 26% decline in new HIV infections in Nigeria in the past decade. New HIV infections continue to occur mainly in key populations, adolescent girls and young women. This paper provides justification on why a sustained focus on U=U campaigns in Nigeria will ‘make programmatic sense’ and contribute to the successes of the Nigerian HIV program, improving the possibility of HIV epidemic control and attaining equitable health outcomes for all sub populations in Nigeria. (Source: Sexual Health)
Source: Sexual Health - July 13, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Dorcas T. Magbadelo Abimbola Phillips Pius Christopher-Izere Bolanle Oyeledun Source Type: research
Evaluation of between-assay consistency among laboratory testing methods for neurosyphilis: a systematic review
Xu Zhang, Fang-Zhi Du, Qian-Qiu Wang, Rui-Li Zhang What is the gold standard of neurosyphilis diagnosis? A classic question that has confused us for a long time. In our research, we found that cerebrospinal fluid reactive plasma regain and cerebrospinal fluid toluidine red serum unheated test were highly consistent with cerebrospinal fluid venereal disease research laboratory tests, which indicated that they may constitute substitute methods towards the laboratory diagnosis of neurosyphilis. It will be an effective and economical alternative until we finally find the true gold standard methods. (Source: Sexual Health)
Source: Sexual Health - July 13, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Xu Zhang Fang-Zhi Du Qian-Qiu Wang Rui-Li Zhang Source Type: research
Undetectable=Untransmittable=Universal Access (U=U=U): transforming a foundational, community-led HIV/AIDS health informational advocacy campaign into a global HIV/AIDS health equity strategy and policy priority
Christian Hui Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U) first emerged in 2016 to promote the fact that PLHIV on effective treatment cannot pass on the virus sexually. This scoping review provides a synopsis on the science of U=U, how the Prevention Access Campaign and civil society partners turned U=U into a game-changer within the HIV/AIDS response, and recent developments on U=U within the domestic and multilateral spheres. Recommendations are offered on how HIV/AIDS multi-stakeholders can further integrate, implement, and strategically utilise U&...
Source: Sexual Health - July 11, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Christian Hui Source Type: research
Mpox knowledge, vaccination and intention to reduce sexual risk practices among men who have sex with men and transgender people in response to the 2022 mpox outbreak: a cross-sectional study in Victoria, Australia
Eric P. F. Chow, Ranjit S. Samra, Catriona S. Bradshaw, Marcus Y. Chen, Deborah A. Williamson, Janet M. Towns, Kate Maddaford, Finn Mercury, Christopher K. Fairley We conducted a cross-sectional survey among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and transgender people across Victoria in Australia to understand community understanding of mpox, attitudes towards vaccination, and potential changes in sexual practices due to the mpox outbreak. Most people were willing to reduce or stop high-risk sexual practices to prevent mpox. Individuals who were at higher risk of acquiring mpox were likely to have received thei...
Source: Sexual Health - July 10, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Eric P. F. Chow Ranjit S. Samra Catriona S. Bradshaw Marcus Y. Chen Deborah A. Williamson Janet M. Towns Kate Maddaford Finn Mercury Christopher K. Fairley Source Type: research
Role of viral suppression in HIV treatment and prevention and its potential in addressing harmful laws and discrimination
This article reviews the evolution of science and global policy around the use of antiretroviral therapy as an HIV prevention tool and reasserts the evidence around there being no chance of sexual transmission when an individual has an undetectable viral load. It calls for positive and clear messaging to highlight that the consistent use of ART prevents onward HIV transmission. (Source: Sexual Health)
Source: Sexual Health - July 6, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Andy Seale Rachel Baggaley Lara Vojnov Meg Doherty Source Type: research
Informing the design of a digital intervention to support sexually transmissible infection care in general practice: a qualitative study exploring the views of clinicians
Melis Gezer, Barbara Hunter, Jane S. Hocking, Jo-Anne Manski-Nankervis, Jane L. Goller Digital interventions may offer a mechanism to assist general practitioners (GPs) in optimising care for sexually transmissible infections (STIs). We interviewed GPs and sexual health physicians, who viewed the concept of digital intervention for STI care favourably and with potential to improve STI processes, contingent on its design being considerate of the time-pressured general practice environment, the clinician and patient context, and integration of key evidence-based resources. A prototype digital tool for STI care informed by th...
Source: Sexual Health - July 6, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Melis Gezer Barbara Hunter Jane S. Hocking Jo-Anne Manski-Nankervis Jane L. Goller Source Type: research
U=U: the life force given by the mother & #x2019;s breast
Rhonda Marama Tamati Despite the unprecedented progress in the global response to HIV and AIDS, social marginalisation, economic inequality, and other structural factors continue to fuel the HIV and AIDS epidemic, with Indigenous Peoples being particularly prejudiced, to a greater extent than mainstream society. A combination of factors continues to place Indigenous Peoples at significantly increased risk of HIV infection. The successful campaign of ‘Undetectable = Untransmittable’ (U=U) has changed the lives and worlds of people livi...
Source: Sexual Health - July 3, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Rhonda Marama Tamati Source Type: research
Impact of increased antiretroviral therapy use during the treatment as prevention era in Australia
Richard T. Gray We analysed the impact of increased ART during the early initiation and treatment-as-prevention era on HIV epidemiology and healthcare costs in Australia. Using a retrospective modelling analysis over the 2009–2019 period, we calculated the potential impact of increased ART use on HIV among gay and bisexual men (GBM). Increasing the proportion of Australian GBM on effective ART during 2009–2019 likely resulted in substantial reductions in new HIV infections and cost savings. (Source: Sexual Health)
Source: Sexual Health - July 3, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Richard T. Gray Source Type: research
Factors associated with the development of coronary artery disease in people with HIV
This study reinforces that abacavir increases the risk, but that the main drivers are high blood pressure and cigarette smoking. (Source: Sexual Health)
Source: Sexual Health - July 3, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Ari S. Mushin Janine M. Trevillyan Sue J. Lee Anna C. Hearps Jennifer F. Hoy Source Type: research
