Sexually transmitted diseases最新文献

Background: In preparation for a prospective syphilis network study of sexual minority men, we conducted a mixed-methods formative study with the following objectives: ( a ) assess acceptability of respondent-driven sampling, ( b ) assess acceptability of study procedures, ( c ) social network seed selection, and ( d ) pilot an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study to assess social networking, sexual, and substance use behaviors.

Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with 8 providers serving sexual minority men and 5 focus group discussions with 34 sexual minority men, prioritizing 4 target populations: (1) young Black sexual minority men, (2) on preexposure prophylaxis, (3) living with HIV, and (4) not engaged in care. The 4-week EMA pilot was conducted with 40 sexual minority men. Ecological momentary assessment survey responses were analyzed to evaluate how different compensation levels influenced response rates. Brief exit surveys were used to assess EMA app acceptability.

Results: Primary themes identified through qualitative data collection: (1) importance of developing trust and maintaining confidentiality during proposed recruitment activities, (2) importance of compensating participants appropriately for study activities, and (3) cultural considerations for increasing visibility and participation of young Black sexual minority men. All EMA participants reported being "completely comfortable" reporting sexual behavior through the app. Most (78%) preferred the app to in-person interviews. Several participants identified technical issues with the app, including not receiving push notifications and spontaneous closure.

Conclusions: This mixed-methods formative study allowed for adjustments to and tailoring of the planned network study, including recruitment protocols, compensation type and amount, and EMA survey wording and response items.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent multinational mpox outbreak significantly disrupted sexual health care delivery, particularly impacting men who have sex with men (MSM). This study investigated these public health emergencies in relation to perceptions, attitudes, and sexual practices among MSM affiliated with a collective sex venue (CSV).

Methods: Electronic surveys were sent to clientele of a high-volume CSV between June 2021 and November 2022 across 3 time periods defined as pre-Omicron, post-Omicron, and mpox. Data collection encompassed sociodemographics, health care access, sexually transmitted infection/HIV status, COVID-19 testing, and sexual behaviors. Multivariable regression analyses identified factors associated with self-reported COVID-19 testing and positivity, and mpox exposure.

Results: Among 1135 responses, demographics were largely cisgender MSM and predominantly White. Increased self-reported COVID-19 positivity was associated with having more sex partners and frequenting bathhouses for meeting sex partners. Confidence in COVID-19 mitigation strategies decreased post-Omicron. Factors linked to mpox exposure included younger age, increased sex partners, sexually transmitted infection positivity, and lower confidence in mitigation strategies.

Discussion: These findings underscore the intersectionality between sexual behaviors and public health responses to COVID-19 and mpox among MSM communities affiliated with a CSV. Decreased confidence in mitigation strategies and changes in sexual behaviors during public health emergencies underscore the need for targeted interventions and messaging. Collaboration between health departments and CSVs can facilitate responses to current and future public health threats and interventions.

Background: Despite national testing guidelines, rates of testing for HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and hepatitis C remain lower than recommended for men who have sex with men in the United States. To help address this, the TakeMeHome (TMH) program was started in March 2020 by Building Healthy Online Communities, a consortium of public health organizations and dating apps, to work with health departments to increase access to HIV testing for men who have sex with men on dating apps.

Methods: Users of participating dating apps were sent messages about opportunities for testing with self-collected specimens through TMH. Program users were eligible to receive test kits if they lived in a participating zip code and were aged at least 18 years. Users who were interested in testing could order kits to be mailed to them for laboratory-based testing of HIV, hepatitis C, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and/or syphilis, depending on risk and availability in their zip code. Orders were sent via application programming interface to Molecular Testing Labs for fulfillment; kits were provided at no cost to the program user. Within approximately 24 hours of order receipt, Molecular Testing Labs mailed program users a kit with required collection supplies, directions, and a link to a video instruction for self-collection. Program users received an automated email after testing was complete with a link to access results through their online account. Individuals with positive results on any of the relevant tests were directed to additional information and to local providers for linkage to additional testing or treatment, depending on local protocols.

Results: The positivity rate of specimens processed through TMH was 1.4% for HIV, 0.6% for hepatitis C, and 2.9% for all STIs combined. The per-person positivity rate was 15.3% across all STIs.

Conclusions: The TMH program demonstrates that self-collected laboratory-processed testing is feasible and effective at identifying new HIV and STI cases.

Background: Doxycycline used as postexposure prophylaxis (doxyPEP) within 72 hours of sex reduces the risk of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in people assigned male sex at birth. Little is known about current use of antibiotics as STI prophylaxis in US populations likely to benefit from doxyPEP.

Methods: We conducted an online survey in September 2023 of US adults recruited via sexual networking apps used mainly by gay and bisexual men (GBM). Respondents were asked about the use of antibiotics around the time of sex to prevent bacterial STIs.

Results: Of 903 respondents, most (96.2%) identified as GBM; 19.0% were living with HIV and 42.5% were using HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Half (49.1%) had heard of using antibiotics to prevent STIs, and 95.6% were interested in use. Overall, 21.0% had used antibiotic STI prophylaxis, and 15.9% had done so in the past year. Among those reporting any use, most (78.1%) had used doxycycline; some used amoxicillin (16.7%), azithromycin (14.5%), or other antibiotics (14.1%). Among those reporting use in the past year, 46.9% used it for some, 28.1% for most, and 25.0% for all sex acts with casual partners during that period. Most (78.3%) of STI prophylaxis users reported their condom use did not change during periods of STI prophylaxis use, 17.2% indicated their condom use declined, and 4.5% indicated their condom use increased. For doxyPEP specifically, 35.7% had heard of it, and 13.0% had used it in the past year, of whom 21.0% had used a dosage other than the 200-mg dose shown to be effective.

Conclusions: In this sample of primarily GBM, interest in bacterial STI prophylaxis was nearly universal. However, some of the use was not informed by current clinical guidance or evidence from research studies. Efforts are needed to increase awareness of effective dosing and monitor real-world use.

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are a global concern. In Italy, despite the presence of publicly funded STI diagnostic centers, limited attention has been given to the knowledge of these services among the adult population. This study primarily aimed to evaluate Italian adults' knowledge about STI and dedicated health care centers. Secondarily, it explored condom usage behaviors.

Methods: Conducted nationwide, this cross-sectional study used an online questionnaire. The primary outcomes included knowledge of dedicated STI centers and scores on the Sexually Transmitted Disease Knowledge Questionnaire (STD-KQ); secondary outcomes included inconsistent condom usage rates during various forms of intercourse.

Results: With a participant count of 1036, results indicated that only 36% were aware of dedicated STI centers. The median STD-KQ score was 11 (interquartile range, 6-15). Multivariable regression models unveiled factors significantly associated with knowledge. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals, health care workers, and those with higher STD-KQ scores exhibited greater STI centers' awareness. Better STD-KQ scores correlated with higher education levels, substance use, past STI diagnosis, and health care employment. Around 80% of the sample reported inconsistent condom use during different forms of intercourse. Although enhanced knowledge correlated with increased condom use, certain groups exhibited discrepancies between knowledge of STI and actual condom use.

Conclusions: These findings emphasize the need for targeted awareness campaigns to enhance accessibility to STI centers, underscoring the necessity for multifaceted interventions beyond information dissemination to address suboptimal condom usage. In providing insights into STI knowledge and behaviors among Italian adults, this research informs interventions and policy adjustments to combat STI.

Introduction: Older adults newly diagnosed with HIV experience poorer prognosis and higher mortality compared with those diagnosed at younger ages. We explored the barriers and facilitators in HIV care linkage and retention among newly diagnosed older persons living with HIV (OPLWH) in Malaysia.

Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with OPLWH and focus group discussions with health care providers (HCPs) from 5 specialties (primary care medicine, psychological medicine, gynecology, geriatrics, and infectious disease) at a tertiary hospital between September 2021 and April 2022. All sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically.

Results: We recruited 16 OPLWH and 7 HCPs. Thirteen OPLWH were male. Eight of them self-identified as men who have sex with men, and the rest were heterosexual. Diagnosis of HIV was between the ages of 50 and 61 years. Barriers and facilitators could be categorized into 3 levels: individual, interpersonal, and institutional. Individual barriers included misinformation about HIV treatment, unable to afford HIV-related services, and belief that life was futile. Interpersonal barriers were HIV-related stigma, poor social and family support, and social prejudice toward men who have sex with men. Lastly, institutional barriers were the need for frequent hospital visits, high cost for HIV-related services, a lack of guidance after diagnosis, and poor communication with HCPs. Facilitators included doctor or friend support and positive institutional reputation.

Conclusions: Multiple challenges hindered optimal care for OPLWH after HIV diagnosis. Issues like high costs, belief that treatment is futile, and a lack of family support need to be addressed as part of long-term support services for OPLWH.

Abstract: This is a retrospective study on men who have sex with men (MSM) diagnosed with rectal lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), treated with 7 or 21 days of doxycycline between 2015 and 2022. Overall, 143 MSM were included: 58 (41%) had LGV. One hundred percent of microbiologic cure was found among MSM with symptomatic or asymptomatic LGV treated with 7 and 21 days of doxycycline.

Background: Gonorrhea remains a significant burden in central Ohio, particularly in socially disadvantaged communities. This study evaluates gonorrhea case rates and changes from 2020 to 2021, focusing on geographic patterns associated with social vulnerability.

Methods: We analyzed gonorrhea case data from the Columbus STD Surveillance Network for 2020 and 2021. Cases were linked to census tracts and categorized into low (0-0.66) or high (0.67-1.0) vulnerability groups based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). We mapped gonorrhea case rates per 100,000 population, stratified by SVI group, and compared changes using Jenks natural breaks to determine cutpoints. High case rates were defined as ≥605 (2020) and ≥532 (2021). A change in case rates was defined as <154 (decrease/no change) or ≥154 (increase). Demographic factors were summarized for both years.

Results: In 2020 and 2021, nearly half of high-SVI tracts had high gonorrhea rates, compared with about 4% to 7% of low-SVI tracts. Median rates in high-SVI tracts were approximately 5 times higher than in low-SVI tracts, with rates of 546 and 598 per 100,000 in 2020 and 2021, compared with 98 and 104 per 100,000, respectively. Gonorrhea rates increased in 23 (9%) of low-SVI tracts and 37 (25%) of high-SVI tracts. Demographic characteristics remained consistent between the 2 years.

Conclusions: Gonorrhea rates increased in central Ohio between 2020 and 2021, with higher burdens in high-SVI census tracts. Understanding the dynamics of social vulnerability at the community level is crucial for targeting limited STD resources effectively.