Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-09-30DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002248
James J Marsh, David M Aleman-Reyes, Joseph E Marcus
Background: Patients who test positive for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) should get retested to evaluate for reinfection. The US military has previously been reported to have high rates of CT and GC, but follow-up rates are unknown. This study evaluates factors associated with follow-up CT or GC testing in active-duty service members (ADSMs).
Methods: Positive cases of CT and GC among ADSM who were stationed at Joint Base San Antonio between January and June 2023 were evaluated in a retrospective chart review. A patient had follow-up testing if they had a repeat test within 3 to 12 months after their initial positive test result. Follow-up rates were compared among groups based on demographics, clinical setting of testing, and presence of symptoms.
Results: Of the 200 ADSMs who tested positive for CT or GC during the study period, 101 (51%) were men, and the median age was 23 (interquartile range, 20-26). One hundred forty (70%) were junior enlisted (E1-E4). Women received follow-up testing at a higher rate than men (71% vs. 51%; P = 0.003), without significant difference in follow-up testing by clinic, race, service, or organism. Women who were symptomatic at the time of initial test had a significantly higher rate of follow-up testing than did the symptomatic men (76% vs. 49%; P = 0.003).
Conclusions: Despite standardized follow-up testing recommendations, there were significantly lower follow-up testing rates in men, with the greatest difference in testing in patients who were symptomatic at presentation. Future work should standardize follow-up testing of CT or GC infections in men.
背景:沙眼衣原体(CT)和淋病奈瑟菌(GC)检测阳性的患者应重新检测以评估再感染。据报道,美国军方的CT和GC发病率很高,但随访率尚不清楚。本研究评估现役军人(ADSM)随访CT或GC测试相关因素。方法:对2023年1 - 6月驻扎在圣安东尼奥联合基地的ADSM中CT和GC阳性病例进行回顾性分析。如果患者在首次阳性检测后3-12个月内进行了重复检测,则应进行随访检测。根据人口统计学、检测的临床环境和症状的存在,比较各组间的随访率。结果:研究期间CT或GC检测阳性的200例ADSM中,男性101例(51%),中位年龄23岁[IQR: 20-26]。初级入伍140例(70%)(E1-E4)。女性接受随访检测的比例高于男性(71% vs. 51%; p = 0.003),随访检测在诊所、种族、服务或机体方面无显著差异。在初次检测时有症状的女性随访检测率明显高于有症状的男性(76% vs. 49%; p = 0.003)。结论:尽管推荐标准化的随访检测,但男性的随访检测率明显较低,在出现症状的患者中检测差异最大。今后的工作应规范男性CT或GC感染的随访检测。
{"title":"Rates of Follow-Up Testing for Chlamydia Trachomatis and Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Among Active-Duty Service Members.","authors":"James J Marsh, David M Aleman-Reyes, Joseph E Marcus","doi":"10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002248","DOIUrl":"10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002248","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Patients who test positive for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) should get retested to evaluate for reinfection. The US military has previously been reported to have high rates of CT and GC, but follow-up rates are unknown. This study evaluates factors associated with follow-up CT or GC testing in active-duty service members (ADSMs).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Positive cases of CT and GC among ADSM who were stationed at Joint Base San Antonio between January and June 2023 were evaluated in a retrospective chart review. A patient had follow-up testing if they had a repeat test within 3 to 12 months after their initial positive test result. Follow-up rates were compared among groups based on demographics, clinical setting of testing, and presence of symptoms.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 200 ADSMs who tested positive for CT or GC during the study period, 101 (51%) were men, and the median age was 23 (interquartile range, 20-26). One hundred forty (70%) were junior enlisted (E1-E4). Women received follow-up testing at a higher rate than men (71% vs. 51%; P = 0.003), without significant difference in follow-up testing by clinic, race, service, or organism. Women who were symptomatic at the time of initial test had a significantly higher rate of follow-up testing than did the symptomatic men (76% vs. 49%; P = 0.003).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Despite standardized follow-up testing recommendations, there were significantly lower follow-up testing rates in men, with the greatest difference in testing in patients who were symptomatic at presentation. Future work should standardize follow-up testing of CT or GC infections in men.</p>","PeriodicalId":21837,"journal":{"name":"Sexually transmitted diseases","volume":" ","pages":"88-92"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145207643","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-10-21DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002259
Katherine A Lewis, Jeffrey D Klausner, Che' M Harris
Background: Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is a relatively rare but devastating disease. Neonatal HSV infection is one of the most serious complications of genital HSV infection but is not reportable in most states and is severely undersurveilled. Estimates of neonatal HSV incidence using up-to-date, nationally representative data are lacking and are needed to inform public health intervention in this area.
Methods: We used data from the National Inpatient Sample collected by the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project to estimate neonatal HSV cases and incidence in the United States from 2017 to 2021. We identified neonatal HSV cases using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. We compared cases by region and over time using Wald tests, t tests, and linear regression. We used linear regression with an interaction term to assess whether incidence trends varied by region.
Results: From 2017 to 2021, 1895 neonates had a hospital discharge diagnosis of neonatal HSV for an average of 379 cases per year and a total overall incidence of 10.15 (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.70-10.62) cases per 100,000 live births. Nearly half (47.0%) of identified cases were in the South. From 2017 to 2019, neonatal HSV incidence per 100,000 live births decreased in the Northeast (slope = -1.56; 95% CI, -2.803 to -0.32) and increased in the Midwest (slope = 1.33; 95% CI, 0.09 to 2.57).
Conclusions: Neonatal HSV infection is an ongoing cause of perinatal infection and neonatal hospitalizations. Improved data sources and better surveillance are needed to monitor this disease and to identify areas for intervention.
{"title":"Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection in the United States: Regional and Time Trends, 2017-2021.","authors":"Katherine A Lewis, Jeffrey D Klausner, Che' M Harris","doi":"10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002259","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002259","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Neonatal herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is a relatively rare but devastating disease. Neonatal HSV infection is one of the most serious complications of genital HSV infection but is not reportable in most states and is severely undersurveilled. Estimates of neonatal HSV incidence using up-to-date, nationally representative data are lacking and are needed to inform public health intervention in this area.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We used data from the National Inpatient Sample collected by the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project to estimate neonatal HSV cases and incidence in the United States from 2017 to 2021. We identified neonatal HSV cases using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification codes. We compared cases by region and over time using Wald tests, t tests, and linear regression. We used linear regression with an interaction term to assess whether incidence trends varied by region.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From 2017 to 2021, 1895 neonates had a hospital discharge diagnosis of neonatal HSV for an average of 379 cases per year and a total overall incidence of 10.15 (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.70-10.62) cases per 100,000 live births. Nearly half (47.0%) of identified cases were in the South. From 2017 to 2019, neonatal HSV incidence per 100,000 live births decreased in the Northeast (slope = -1.56; 95% CI, -2.803 to -0.32) and increased in the Midwest (slope = 1.33; 95% CI, 0.09 to 2.57).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Neonatal HSV infection is an ongoing cause of perinatal infection and neonatal hospitalizations. Improved data sources and better surveillance are needed to monitor this disease and to identify areas for intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":21837,"journal":{"name":"Sexually transmitted diseases","volume":"53 2","pages":"102-108"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145934993","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-09-09DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002240
Grace Kadubek, Michael Wasz, Casey M Luc, Jaclyn Shallat, Van Quach, David Kern, Tammy Rutledge, Irina Tabidze, Supriya D Mehta
Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a leading cause of 6 cancers. Despite effective vaccines, HPV vaccination rates remain suboptimal, standing at 26% of females and 9% of males, nationally in 2018. This study assessed factors associated with HPV vaccination uptake among patients at Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) sexually transmitted infection specialty clinics.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at 2 CDPH sexually transmitted infection clinics. Of 332 surveys collected, 246 were analyzed after excluding individuals missing HPV vaccination data or those younger than 18 years. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were used to examine associations between HPV vaccination and sociodemographic factors, adjusting for sex, age, education, and sexual orientation.
Results: Human papillomavirus vaccination prevalence was higher among individuals assigned female at birth (65%) than male (46%). Male participants had a 36% lower prevalence of HPV vaccination compared with female participants (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.47-0.86). Age was inversely associated with HPV vaccination as the proportion of vaccination decreased with older age groups. Individuals with a high school education or less had a 37% lower prevalence of vaccination compared with individuals with a college degree or higher (aPR, 0.63 [0.40-0.99]). Individuals identifying as bisexual had a 18% higher, and those identifying as gay or lesbian had a 51% higher prevalence of vaccination compared with heterosexual individuals (aPR, 1.18 [0.84-1.66]; 1.51 [1.07-2.12]).
Conclusion: The CDPH should prioritize HPV vaccination among individuals assigned male at birth, aged 25 years and older, and with high school education or less, and reduce the coverage gap between heterosexual patients and those of a sexual minority.
{"title":"Factors Associated With Self-Reported Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Uptake Among Patients at Chicago Sexually Transmitted Infections Specialty Clinics.","authors":"Grace Kadubek, Michael Wasz, Casey M Luc, Jaclyn Shallat, Van Quach, David Kern, Tammy Rutledge, Irina Tabidze, Supriya D Mehta","doi":"10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002240","DOIUrl":"10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002240","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a leading cause of 6 cancers. Despite effective vaccines, HPV vaccination rates remain suboptimal, standing at 26% of females and 9% of males, nationally in 2018. This study assessed factors associated with HPV vaccination uptake among patients at Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) sexually transmitted infection specialty clinics.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey was conducted at 2 CDPH sexually transmitted infection clinics. Of 332 surveys collected, 246 were analyzed after excluding individuals missing HPV vaccination data or those younger than 18 years. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were used to examine associations between HPV vaccination and sociodemographic factors, adjusting for sex, age, education, and sexual orientation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Human papillomavirus vaccination prevalence was higher among individuals assigned female at birth (65%) than male (46%). Male participants had a 36% lower prevalence of HPV vaccination compared with female participants (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.47-0.86). Age was inversely associated with HPV vaccination as the proportion of vaccination decreased with older age groups. Individuals with a high school education or less had a 37% lower prevalence of vaccination compared with individuals with a college degree or higher (aPR, 0.63 [0.40-0.99]). Individuals identifying as bisexual had a 18% higher, and those identifying as gay or lesbian had a 51% higher prevalence of vaccination compared with heterosexual individuals (aPR, 1.18 [0.84-1.66]; 1.51 [1.07-2.12]).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The CDPH should prioritize HPV vaccination among individuals assigned male at birth, aged 25 years and older, and with high school education or less, and reduce the coverage gap between heterosexual patients and those of a sexual minority.</p>","PeriodicalId":21837,"journal":{"name":"Sexually transmitted diseases","volume":" ","pages":"116-120"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145024167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-01Epub Date: 2025-10-21DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002256
Cara J Broshkevitch, Peyton K Pretsch, Lisa P Spees, Stephanie B Wheeler, Busola Sanusi, Andrea Des Marais, Lynn Barclay, Alicia Carter, Michael G Hudgens, Noel T Brewer, Jennifer S Smith
Background: Mailed self-collection kits for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) detection can increase access to cervical cancer screening among underscreened women. To design effective screening programs, it is necessary to evaluate women's understanding, reactions, and preferences for self-collected HPV test result delivery.
Methods: The My Body, My Test-3 trial assessed the effectiveness of mailed HPV self-collection kit outreach. Between 2016 and 2019, the trial enrolled low-income women aged 25 to 64 years in North Carolina overdue for cervical cancer screening. Our analytical sample included women from the intervention arm who conducted at-home self-collection, returned a self-collection kit, had a conclusive HPV result, and completed a follow-up survey after results were received by phone but before in-clinic screening. We evaluated women's understanding, reactions, and preferences for result delivery, stratified by result positivity.
Results: Among 296 diverse, low-income women, 16% (n = 47/296) had an HPV-positive result and 84% (n = 249/296) had an HPV-negative result. Most women understood their results as an indicator of cervical cancer risk, and 93% (n = 264/284 who responded) correctly recalled their results 1 week post-receipt. Women with a positive result more frequently reported feeling afraid and worried, and less frequently reported feeling relieved, compared with those with a negative result (all P < 0.001). Most women were comfortable receiving results by phone (HPV-positive result: 85%, n = 40/47; HPV-negative result: 96%, n = 238/249), although some with a positive result had remaining questions.
Conclusions: Although most women delivered their mailed, self-collected HPV result by phone understood their result, future US screening programs should provide educational support during and after HPV-positive result delivery.
{"title":"Underscreened Women's Reactions to At-Home Self-Collected Human Papillomavirus Test Result Delivery.","authors":"Cara J Broshkevitch, Peyton K Pretsch, Lisa P Spees, Stephanie B Wheeler, Busola Sanusi, Andrea Des Marais, Lynn Barclay, Alicia Carter, Michael G Hudgens, Noel T Brewer, Jennifer S Smith","doi":"10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002256","DOIUrl":"10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002256","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mailed self-collection kits for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) detection can increase access to cervical cancer screening among underscreened women. To design effective screening programs, it is necessary to evaluate women's understanding, reactions, and preferences for self-collected HPV test result delivery.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The My Body, My Test-3 trial assessed the effectiveness of mailed HPV self-collection kit outreach. Between 2016 and 2019, the trial enrolled low-income women aged 25 to 64 years in North Carolina overdue for cervical cancer screening. Our analytical sample included women from the intervention arm who conducted at-home self-collection, returned a self-collection kit, had a conclusive HPV result, and completed a follow-up survey after results were received by phone but before in-clinic screening. We evaluated women's understanding, reactions, and preferences for result delivery, stratified by result positivity.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 296 diverse, low-income women, 16% (n = 47/296) had an HPV-positive result and 84% (n = 249/296) had an HPV-negative result. Most women understood their results as an indicator of cervical cancer risk, and 93% (n = 264/284 who responded) correctly recalled their results 1 week post-receipt. Women with a positive result more frequently reported feeling afraid and worried, and less frequently reported feeling relieved, compared with those with a negative result (all P < 0.001). Most women were comfortable receiving results by phone (HPV-positive result: 85%, n = 40/47; HPV-negative result: 96%, n = 238/249), although some with a positive result had remaining questions.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Although most women delivered their mailed, self-collected HPV result by phone understood their result, future US screening programs should provide educational support during and after HPV-positive result delivery.</p>","PeriodicalId":21837,"journal":{"name":"Sexually transmitted diseases","volume":" ","pages":"109-115"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145347364","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-05DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002290
Luciana Girotto Gentil, Richard Cullum, Yan Zhang, Danijela Lucic, Barbara Van Der Pol
Background: The Alinity m STI is a nucleic-acid amplification testing for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) in one assay. This study evaluated the performance of the Alinity m STI in comparison with other commonly used FDA-cleared assays and laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) across multiple female urogenital specimens.
Methods: Clinician-collect (CC) and self-collect (SC) vaginal swab, endocervical swab and urine specimens were collected from symptomatic and asymptomatic women across the US. The Alinity m STI results were compared to the Composite Comparator Algorithm (CCA) to establish specimen-specific agreement with six FDA cleared assays and two LDT.
Results: In this study population, the prevalence of single infections ranged from 0.8% (NG) to 7.6% (TV), with 3.4% of individuals coinfected with at least two pathogens. The overall positive agreements (OPA) for CC and SC vaginal swab and for endocervical swab were ≥ 97.5%, ≥98.0% and ≥ 97.3%, respectively, for all four analytes, with TV showing the lowest agreement for these sample types. The OPA for urine was ≥99.2% for all four targets. The kappa score ranged from 0.84 to 0.99 across all analytes and specimen types.
Conclusions: The Alinity m STI assay showed excellent concordance with the comparator assays, as demonstrated by strong kappa scores in female urogenital specimens.
背景:Alinity m STI是一种一次性检测沙眼衣原体(CT)、淋病奈瑟菌(NG)、阴道毛滴虫(TV)和生殖支原体(MG)的核酸扩增检测方法。本研究评估了Alinity m STI与其他常用的fda批准的检测方法和实验室开发的检测方法(LDTs)在多个女性泌尿生殖器标本中的性能。方法:临床采集(CC)和自我采集(SC)阴道拭子、宫颈内膜拭子和尿液标本来自美国各地有症状和无症状的女性。将Alinity m STI结果与复合比较器算法(Composite Comparator Algorithm, CCA)进行比较,以与6种FDA批准的检测方法和2种LDT建立样本特异性一致性。结果:在本研究人群中,单一感染的患病率从0.8% (NG)到7.6% (TV)不等,其中3.4%的个体同时感染至少两种病原体。CC和SC阴道拭子和宫颈内拭子的总体阳性一致性(OPA)分别为≥97.5%,≥98.0%和≥97.3%,其中TV显示这些样本类型的一致性最低。4项指标尿液OPA均≥99.2%。所有分析物和标本类型的kappa评分范围为0.84至0.99。结论:Alinity m STI检测与比较物检测具有良好的一致性,这在女性泌尿生殖器官标本中得到了很强的kappa评分。
{"title":"Evaluation of Alinity m STI Assay for Simultaneous Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Mycoplasma genitalium in Female Urogenital Specimens.","authors":"Luciana Girotto Gentil, Richard Cullum, Yan Zhang, Danijela Lucic, Barbara Van Der Pol","doi":"10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002290","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002290","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The Alinity m STI is a nucleic-acid amplification testing for the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) and Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) in one assay. This study evaluated the performance of the Alinity m STI in comparison with other commonly used FDA-cleared assays and laboratory-developed tests (LDTs) across multiple female urogenital specimens.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Clinician-collect (CC) and self-collect (SC) vaginal swab, endocervical swab and urine specimens were collected from symptomatic and asymptomatic women across the US. The Alinity m STI results were compared to the Composite Comparator Algorithm (CCA) to establish specimen-specific agreement with six FDA cleared assays and two LDT.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this study population, the prevalence of single infections ranged from 0.8% (NG) to 7.6% (TV), with 3.4% of individuals coinfected with at least two pathogens. The overall positive agreements (OPA) for CC and SC vaginal swab and for endocervical swab were ≥ 97.5%, ≥98.0% and ≥ 97.3%, respectively, for all four analytes, with TV showing the lowest agreement for these sample types. The OPA for urine was ≥99.2% for all four targets. The kappa score ranged from 0.84 to 0.99 across all analytes and specimen types.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The Alinity m STI assay showed excellent concordance with the comparator assays, as demonstrated by strong kappa scores in female urogenital specimens.</p>","PeriodicalId":21837,"journal":{"name":"Sexually transmitted diseases","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145901046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-08-04DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002227
Mina Galeshi, Hoda Shirafkan, Shahla Yazdani, Zahra Motaghi
Aim: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that often affects the reproductive system. Human papillomavirus infection can cause various cancers and clinical symptoms in women, impacting their sexual activity and quality of life. Hence, this study aimed to assess the impact of motivational interviewing on the sexual function of women with HPV.
Methods: This randomized controlled study used a pretest-posttest research design with a control group and involved 62 HPV patients from health care centers affiliated with the Babol University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The study was registered on the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20230531058348N1) on June 11, 2023, after we received ethics code. The patients were divided into 2 groups: an experimental and a control group. The allocation to these groups was determined using the blocked randomized allocation technique based on pretest scores. The experimental group received the motivational intervention over 5 sessions, whereas the control group received routine intervention. All participants completed the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire before and immediately after the interventions. Data were entered into SPSS 24 and were analyzed. Descriptive statistics included means and standard deviations for quantitative data and frequency percentages for qualitative variables. χ2 Tests and independent t tests were used to examine relationships and compare initial variables. Analysis of covariance was used to compare questionnaire scores between the 2 groups. The significance level was set at 0.05.
Results: The intervention (N = 31) and control (N = 31) groups had similar ages (33.58 ± 6.14 vs. 34.96 ± 7.04 years, P = 0.412). Sexual dysfunction occurred in 74.2% of HPV-positive women. Covariance analysis showed that motivational interviewing had a significant positive effect on overall sexual function in women with HPV ( η2 = 0.717, P < 0.001). Motivational interviewing with a large effect size also led to improved sexual desire ( η2 = 0.566), increased arousal ( η2 = 0.728), increased wetness ( η2 = 0.531), increased orgasm ( η2 = 0.525), increased sexual satisfaction ( η2 = 0.563), and reduced sexual pain ( η2 = 0.680; P = 0.001).
Conclusions: The results of the study suggested that offering counseling to women with HPV could improve their sexual functioning, leading to a better overall sexual experience and mental and emotional well-being, and ultimately strengthening their quality of life and marital connections. Moreover, this could influence how health care providers support and aid people with HPV.
{"title":"The Effectiveness of Motivational Interviewing on the Sexual Performance of Women With Human Papillomavirus: A Randomized Clinical Trial.","authors":"Mina Galeshi, Hoda Shirafkan, Shahla Yazdani, Zahra Motaghi","doi":"10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002227","DOIUrl":"10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002227","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that often affects the reproductive system. Human papillomavirus infection can cause various cancers and clinical symptoms in women, impacting their sexual activity and quality of life. Hence, this study aimed to assess the impact of motivational interviewing on the sexual function of women with HPV.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This randomized controlled study used a pretest-posttest research design with a control group and involved 62 HPV patients from health care centers affiliated with the Babol University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The study was registered on the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20230531058348N1) on June 11, 2023, after we received ethics code. The patients were divided into 2 groups: an experimental and a control group. The allocation to these groups was determined using the blocked randomized allocation technique based on pretest scores. The experimental group received the motivational intervention over 5 sessions, whereas the control group received routine intervention. All participants completed the Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire before and immediately after the interventions. Data were entered into SPSS 24 and were analyzed. Descriptive statistics included means and standard deviations for quantitative data and frequency percentages for qualitative variables. χ2 Tests and independent t tests were used to examine relationships and compare initial variables. Analysis of covariance was used to compare questionnaire scores between the 2 groups. The significance level was set at 0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The intervention (N = 31) and control (N = 31) groups had similar ages (33.58 ± 6.14 vs. 34.96 ± 7.04 years, P = 0.412). Sexual dysfunction occurred in 74.2% of HPV-positive women. Covariance analysis showed that motivational interviewing had a significant positive effect on overall sexual function in women with HPV ( η2 = 0.717, P < 0.001). Motivational interviewing with a large effect size also led to improved sexual desire ( η2 = 0.566), increased arousal ( η2 = 0.728), increased wetness ( η2 = 0.531), increased orgasm ( η2 = 0.525), increased sexual satisfaction ( η2 = 0.563), and reduced sexual pain ( η2 = 0.680; P = 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results of the study suggested that offering counseling to women with HPV could improve their sexual functioning, leading to a better overall sexual experience and mental and emotional well-being, and ultimately strengthening their quality of life and marital connections. Moreover, this could influence how health care providers support and aid people with HPV.</p>","PeriodicalId":21837,"journal":{"name":"Sexually transmitted diseases","volume":" ","pages":"49-52"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144785290","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-06-17DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002206
Jana Jarolimova, Ingrid V Bassett, Laura Platt, Christine Germain, Robert A Parker, Kevin L Ard
Abstract: In an urban sexual health clinic, a substantial portion of the clinic population initiated doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP) for bacterial STIs in the first 12 months, and implementation of doxyPEP was associated with a subsequent decrease in clinic-level chlamydia and syphilis positivity, but no change in overall gonorrhea positivity.
{"title":"Changes in Clinic-Level STI Burden After Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Implementation in an Urban Sexual Health Clinic.","authors":"Jana Jarolimova, Ingrid V Bassett, Laura Platt, Christine Germain, Robert A Parker, Kevin L Ard","doi":"10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002206","DOIUrl":"10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002206","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>In an urban sexual health clinic, a substantial portion of the clinic population initiated doxycycline postexposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP) for bacterial STIs in the first 12 months, and implementation of doxyPEP was associated with a subsequent decrease in clinic-level chlamydia and syphilis positivity, but no change in overall gonorrhea positivity.</p>","PeriodicalId":21837,"journal":{"name":"Sexually transmitted diseases","volume":" ","pages":"e5-e8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12235504/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144317864","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-06-16DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002204
Olivia T Van Gerwen, Cara Exten, Lynn Barclay, Mahogany Toney, Barbara Van Der Pol, Teresa A Batteiger
{"title":"Embracing Complexity and Dismantling Binary Sexual Constructs in Sexual Health Research.","authors":"Olivia T Van Gerwen, Cara Exten, Lynn Barclay, Mahogany Toney, Barbara Van Der Pol, Teresa A Batteiger","doi":"10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002204","DOIUrl":"10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002204","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21837,"journal":{"name":"Sexually transmitted diseases","volume":" ","pages":"e1-e4"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144302773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-06-30DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002213
Julie Rushmore, David A Jackson, Jeremy A Grey, Elizabeth A Torrone, Emily R Learner
Abstract: We examined alignment between sex of sex partners and sexual orientation in syphilis case notifications among men in 2022 to inform interpretation of sexual orientation data for notifiable conditions in the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. Observed partial alignment underscores the importance of analyzing appropriate variable(s) for a given intervention.
{"title":"Assessing Alignment of Sexual Orientation and Sex of Sex Partners Among Men With Primary and Secondary Syphilis, 2022.","authors":"Julie Rushmore, David A Jackson, Jeremy A Grey, Elizabeth A Torrone, Emily R Learner","doi":"10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002213","DOIUrl":"10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002213","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>We examined alignment between sex of sex partners and sexual orientation in syphilis case notifications among men in 2022 to inform interpretation of sexual orientation data for notifiable conditions in the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. Observed partial alignment underscores the importance of analyzing appropriate variable(s) for a given intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":21837,"journal":{"name":"Sexually transmitted diseases","volume":" ","pages":"e9-e10"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12326550/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144529490","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01Epub Date: 2025-05-19DOI: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002176
Lao-Tzu Allan-Blitz, Jeffrey D Klausner
{"title":"How to Use Rapid Dual Treponemal and Lipoidal Tests in Clinical Practice.","authors":"Lao-Tzu Allan-Blitz, Jeffrey D Klausner","doi":"10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002176","DOIUrl":"10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002176","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":21837,"journal":{"name":"Sexually transmitted diseases","volume":" ","pages":"42-43"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12353278/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144094238","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}