Impact of policy changes of Medicare-rebated telehealth services on medical abortions provided at a family planning service during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
This study investigated the impact of policy changes affecting Medicare-rebated telehealth services for medical abortion care at an Australian family planning service during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Findings from clinical records highlight the need for continued provision of Medicare-rebated telehealth to promote equitable access to abortion care. (Source: Sexual Health)
Source: Sexual Health - July 3, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Yan Cheng Clare J. Boerma Kevin McGeechan Jane Estoesta Source Type: research
Familiarity with, perceived accuracy of, and willingness to rely on Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U) among gay and bisexual men in Australia: results of a national cross-sectional survey
James MacGibbon, Benjamin R. Bavinton, Timothy R. Broady, Jeanne Ellard, Dean Murphy, Sarah K. Calabrese, David A. Kalwicz, Dash Heath-Paynter, Angus Molyneux, Cherie Power, Andrew Heslop, John de Wit, Martin Holt Since 2016, the global ‘Undetectable=Untransmittable’ (U=U) campaign has promoted awareness that a person living with HIV who has an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to their sexual partners. We surveyed gay and bisexual men about their familiarity with, perceived accuracy of, and willingness to rely on U=U. Familiarity and perc...
Source: Sexual Health - June 29, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: James MacGibbon Benjamin R. Bavinton Timothy R. Broady Jeanne Ellard Dean Murphy Sarah K. Calabrese David A. Kalwicz Dash Heath-Paynter Angus Molyneux Cherie Power Andrew Heslop John de Wit Martin Holt Source Type: research
Humanise and demedicalise Undetectable=Untransmittable in Thailand
Nittaya Phanuphak, Jarunee Siriphan, Aree Kumpitak, Niwat Suwanpattana, Patchara Benjarattanaporn Undetectable=Untransmittable (U=U) can be successfully humanised and demedicalised in Thailand for efficient communication and implementation. At an individual and relationship level, U=U can be used to delve into and address one’s stigmatising attitudes toward HIV and other personal attributes of a person living with or at risk of exposure to HIV, including those related to intimacy, sex, and sexual pleasure. At a community level, U=U can tackle stigma...
Source: Sexual Health - June 29, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Nittaya Phanuphak Jarunee Siriphan Aree Kumpitak Niwat Suwanpattana Patchara Benjarattanaporn Source Type: research
Let & #x2019;s talk about U=U: seizing a valuable opportunity to better support adolescents living with HIV
Sarah Bernays, Joni Lariat, Wole Ameyan, Nicola Willis Adolescents living with HIV are missing out on information about the implications of viral suppression, including vital knowledge about U=U. We argue that the provision of this information, in a developmentally tailored way, could transform adolescents’ understanding of living with HIV, incentivise optimal treatment engagement and support and sustain their positive mental health. Rather than being protective, rationing access to information on U=U only increases adolescents’ vulnerability and risk to poor HIV ...
Source: Sexual Health - June 29, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Sarah Bernays Joni Lariat Wole Ameyan Nicola Willis Source Type: research
Geometric approach to measuring intersectional stigma among black sexual minority men: reliability and validity in an HIV prevention context
We report a novel approach to assessing intersectional stigma that conceptualises intersections in geometric terms. The geometric intersectional stigma scales were found reliable and valid, offering greater specificity in measuring stigma experiences attributed to multiple intersecting dimensions. (Source: Sexual Health)
Source: Sexual Health - June 22, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Seth C. Kalichman Bruno Shkembi Renee El-Krab Source Type: research
Sexually transmissible infections (STI) and HIV testing and diagnosis among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal adolescents in contact with the Australian justice system: a cross-sectional study
Patricia Taflan, Paul L. Simpson, Mandy Wilson, Jocelyn Jones, Basil Donovan, Janaki Amin, Sally Nathan, Tony Butler This paper reports on the sexual behaviours of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal adolescents who have come into contact with the Australian justice system and looks at factors associated with testing for sexually transmissible infections (STI) and HIV, and diagnosis of sexually transmissible infections. Findings suggest there are different factors associated with STI/HIV testing for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal justice-involved adolescents. Sexual health education should start early and consider gender, cultura...
Source: Sexual Health - June 22, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Patricia Taflan Paul L. Simpson Mandy Wilson Jocelyn Jones Basil Donovan Janaki Amin Sally Nathan Tony Butler Source Type: research
& #x2018;HIV made me fabulous & #x2019;: a qualitative analysis of embodied storytelling in film to address stigma, further understandings of U=U and advance gender equity
This study demonstrates the value of art for social change to generate empathy, raise awareness about U=U and reduce stigma for both people living with HIV and the wider community. (Source: Sexual Health)
Source: Sexual Health - June 22, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Azra Bhanji Angela Kaida Juno Roche Edmond Kilpatrick Florence Anam Valerie Nicholson Marvelous Muchenje Lori A. Brotto Allison Carter Source Type: research
U=U, PrEP and the unrealised promise of ending HIV-related stigma
Nathanael Wells There is now widespread consensus that by reducing HIV viral load to undetectable levels, HIV treatment also eliminates the risk of HIV sexual transmission. However, people living with HIV continue to experience stigma and sexual rejection. It is time for those who are HIV-negative to also take on some of the burden in challenging HIV-related stigma. (Source: Sexual Health)
Source: Sexual Health - June 22, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Nathanael Wells Source Type: research
Unprecedented increase in syphilis cases among heterosexual men and women in Japan, 2021 & #x2013;2022
Ayu Kasamatsu, Takuri Takahashi, Yuzo Arima, Miyako Otsuka, Takeshi Arashiro, Hanae Ito, Sakiko Tabata, Takuya Yamagishi, Motoi Suzuki In Japan, despite social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of reported syphilis cases among heterosexual men and women surged in 2021 and 2022. Based on national surveillance, while there was a decline in cases during 2019 and 2020, 2022 reached the highest annual case count in half a century, with primary and secondary syphilis accounting for nearly 80% of the reported cases. This unprecedented epidemic calls for urgent action on testing, treatment, prevention, and educat...
Source: Sexual Health - June 7, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Ayu Kasamatsu Takuri Takahashi Yuzo Arima Miyako Otsuka Takeshi Arashiro Hanae Ito Sakiko Tabata Takuya Yamagishi Motoi Suzuki Source Type: research
& #x2018;It & #x2019;s like I have this weird superpower & #x2019;: experiences of detectable and undetectable viral load among a cohort of recently diagnosed people living with HIV
Nathanael Wells, Steven Philpot, Dean Murphy, Jeanne Ellard, Chris Howard, Garrett Prestage In this paper, we explore how both detectable and undetectable viral loads are experienced by people who have recently received an HIV diagnosis. We demonstrate that for some people living with HIV, the period in which their viral load presents unique challenges may be marked by feelings of ill health and concerns about HIV transmission to sexual partners. (Source: Sexual Health)
Source: Sexual Health - June 6, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Nathanael Wells Steven Philpot Dean Murphy Jeanne Ellard Chris Howard Garrett Prestage Source Type: research
Understanding the health care needs of transgender and gender diverse people engaging with rural Australian sexual health centres: a qualitative interview study
Ava Del Tufo, Rosalind Foster, Bridget Haire, Christy E. Newman, Anthony K. J. Smith, Margaret Crowley, Donna Burn, Anna McNulty What does health and wellbeing mean to transgender and gender diverse individuals in rural Australia? As the first study of its kind, the findings are complex&#x003B; there are higher rates of discrimination and feelings of social isolation for those living in rural areas and yet many people also report positive experiences. This diverse range of experiences was unexpected and could inform policy changes for national health service models. (Source: Sexual Health)
Source: Sexual Health - June 5, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Ava Del Tufo Rosalind Foster Bridget Haire Christy E. Newman Anthony K. J. Smith Margaret Crowley Donna Burn Anna McNulty Source Type: research
Gay, bisexual, and queer men & #x2019;s confidence in the Undetectable equals Untransmittable HIV prevention message: longitudinal qualitative analysis of the sexual decision-making of pre-exposure prophylaxis users over time
Daniel Grace, Emerich Daroya, Mark Gaspar, Alex Wells, Mark Hull, Nathan Lachowsky, Darrell H. S. Tan We conducted three rounds of interviews with gay, bisexual, and queer men who had experience using PrEP (2020–22). Participants described how U=U informed sexual decision-making: (1) U=U confidence (increasing trust in U=U)&#x003B; (2) PrEP confidence (accounts of self-reliance and PrEP as sufficient HIV protection)&#x003B; (3) combination confidence (trusting U=U and PrEP as a package)&#x003B; and (4) partner confidence (unc...
Source: Sexual Health - June 1, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Daniel Grace Emerich Daroya Mark Gaspar Alex Wells Mark Hull Nathan Lachowsky Darrell H. S. Tan Source Type: research
Understanding how young cisgender heterosexual men navigate sexual health conversations and practices during casual sex: a qualitative study
Andrea Waling Young cisgender heterosexual men in Australia are the least likely population group to ensure barrier method use during casual sex. There is limited information about how these young men might be navigating sexual health conversations with potential partners, whereby findings note that they choose to avoid the discussion or expect women to take responsibility. There is need to focus on educating young men concerning their responsibility for sexual health in casual sex encounters. (Source: Sexual Health)
Source: Sexual Health - June 1, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Andrea Waling Source Type: research
Agreement of and discussion with clients about Undetectable equals Untransmissible among general practitioners in Australia: a cross-sectional survey
Jason Wu, Christopher K. Fairley, Daniel Grace, Eric P. F. Chow, Jason J. Ong The message that having an undetectable HIV viral load equals untransmissible (U=U) is important to reduce HIV stigma. It is unclear whether general practitioners (GPs) discuss U=U with their clients and what are the factors associated with this. We found that one in four GPs were neutral or disagreed with U=U, and U=U agreement was associated with greater odds of discussing U=U. Increasing health professionals’ confidence in U=U could help mo...
Source: Sexual Health - May 29, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Jason Wu Christopher K. Fairley Daniel Grace Eric P. F. Chow Jason J. Ong Source Type: research
Syphilis in pregnancy: a qualitative investigation of healthcare provider perspectives on barriers to syphilis screening during pregnancy in south-east Queensland
Sarah Warzywoda, James A. Fowler, Clare Nourse, Mandy Wu, Sumudu Britton, Diane Rowling, Paul Griffin, Mattea Lazarou, Zoe Hamilton, Judith A. Dean Over the past decade, the rates of syphilis in pregnancy and congenital syphilis are continuing to rise in south-east Queensland (SEQ). Screening for syphilis during antenatal care is an important factor for prevention. In our study, SEQ healthcare providers identified system-level and individual-level barriers that prevent adequate screening. It is important that these barriers be identified and addressed to improve screening to promote maternal health and prevent congenital s...
Source: Sexual Health - May 29, 2023 Category: Sexual Medicine Authors: Sarah Warzywoda James A. Fowler Clare Nourse Mandy Wu Sumudu Britton Diane Rowling Paul Griffin Mattea Lazarou Zoe Hamilton Judith A. Dean Source Type: research
