Sexual health最新文献

Background Alongside partnership, adaptation is one of the enduring themes of the Australian response to HIV, but the ability of peer insight and engagement to shape responses to change is often undervalued. In this article, we present a case study of a peer navigation for people living with HIV, run in partnership with clinical stakeholders, to examine its effectiveness and adaptability within a changing epidemiological landscape. Methods We draw on interviews and focus groups conducted in 2019 and 2020 with 30 peer workers, management and clinical stakeholders of a peer navigation program for people living with HIV operating in Victoria, Australia. Our interpretation uses a complex systems framework to evaluate peer programs, including their influence on health and service systems. Results We found that the peer navigation program's ability to adapt and remain effective in a changing epidemic and clinical service landscape was based partly on its engagement with its communities and partly on its efforts to align with the service and policy systems. There was evidence that the program influenced the policy sector based on the quality of its community engagement to reduce the vulnerabilities the sudden implementation of COVID-19-related restrictions created for people living with HIV. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate the wider value peer navigation programs deliver in the response to HIV and illustrate the partnership and investment strategies required to improve the implementation and impact of similar programs.

Background Psychosexual health refers to an individual's capacity to acquire sexual knowledge through appropriate means, develop healthy values, accept bodily changes, align with socio-cultural norms and regulate sexual behaviors. The study aimed to explore the relative importance of general self-efficacy, sexual refusal self-efficacy, peer relationship, parental monitoring and parent-teen communication about sex in influencing psychosexual health among secondary vocational school students. Methods A total of 2895 secondary vocational school students from of Shandong province in China were selected to complete the General Self-Efficacy Scale, Sexual Refusal Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, Peer Relationship Scale, Parental Monitoring Questionnaire, Parent-Teen Communication about Sex Questionnaire, School Connectedness Scale, School Sex Education Questionnaire and High School Student Psychosexual Health Scale. Dominance analysis was used for statistical analysis. Results Dominance analysis revealed that importance rankings of the socio-ecological factors on psychosexual health in descending order were: peer relationship (the degree of contribution was 36.1%), parent-adolescent communication about sex (the degree of contribution was 34.2%), general self-efficacy (the degree of contribution was 14.5%), sexual refusal self-efficacy (the degree of contribution was 9.6%) and parental monitoring (the degree of contribution was 5.9%). Conclusions Peer relationship, parent-adolescent communication about sex, general self-efficacy, sexual refusal self-efficacy and parental monitoring are the main socio-ecological factors on psychosexual health among secondary vocational school students. Accordingly, helping students build good peer relationships, facilitating appropriate parent-adolescent communication about sex and proper parental monitoring, and increasing students' general self-efficacy and sexual refusal self-efficacy are crucial measures to improve psychosexual health for secondary vocational school students.

Recruiting participants is a vital component of social research. Finding the right people (and the right number of them) at the right time to participate in your study can make or break its success; it can also challenge research budgets and requires considerable flexibility. Online recruitment strategies are becoming increasingly popular ways to recruit to both qualitative and quantitative studies. In this paper, we detail our experiences of using social media, primarily Meta platforms Facebook and Instagram, to recruit participants for our sexual and reproductive health research. Here, we provide a practical guide to using social media to recruit participants, and include examples throughout from our own research. We outline our triumphs and pitfalls in using this recruitment strategy, the challenges we have faced and the lessons we have learnt. In doing so, we hope to provide useful guidance for others wishing to use social media to recruit to their research studies.

Background As the accessibility of health services fluctuated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, recommendations supporting off-label extended use of hormonal long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) devices began to appear around the globe. Supported by emerging evidence, these recommendations were intended to encourage consumers to postpone device replacement and reduce the need for face-to-face care interactions. Methods In this population-based cohort study, data from the nationally representative Australian Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme 10% sample were analysed. Specifically, logistic regression analysis was undertaken for females aged 15-49years who had a hormonal LARC dispensed to them within the COVID-19 pandemic period (between February 2017 and November 2021) to assess timing of replacement, compared with timing for pre-COVID counterparts. Results Extended use periods were observed in less than 10% of hormonal implant or intrauterine device users in both the pre- and post-COVID cohorts, with 40% replacing their device on time, and around 50% with no record of replacement. No statistically significant changes occurred after the onset of COVID-19. Conclusions Despite recommendations for extending LARC device use periods, typical usage patterns were maintained in Australia throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Given these extended use periods have since been made permanent in Australian clinical guidelines, targeted education for consumers and providers is likely to be required to ensure understanding, uptake and consistent implementation.

Background Relying simply on the stage of latent syphilis may lead to excessive treatment strategies. Utilizing nontreponemal immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to assess syphilis activity and tailor treatment strategies may offer enhanced therapeutic advantages. Objectives To investigate whether nontreponemal IgM antibodies can serve as a serological marker for assessing the activity of latent syphilis and inform personalized treatment strategies. Methods We evaluated nontreponemal IgM antibodies in 412 latent syphilis patients and conducted a 2-year follow up to analyze their rate of seroconversion (the change from seropositive to seronegative status), to evaluate whether nontreponemal IgM antibodies could assess the activity of latent syphilis. Results The positive nontreponemal IgM group demonstrated a lower seroconversion rate (P =0.0178) and achieved seroconversion slower compared with the negative group (hazard ratio: 0.386). Early-stage patients exhibited higher nontreponemal IgM antibody levels (P P =0.018) than late-stage patients. Elderly patients showed lower nontreponemal IgM antibody levels (P P =0.0022) than non-elderly patients. Conclusions Latent syphilis patients with positive nontreponemal IgM require a longer time to seroconversion and exhibit a lower seroreversion rate, indicating their higher syphilis activity. Nontreponemal IgM antibodies can serve as a serological marker for detecting syphilis activity in latent syphilis. It is recommended to test for nontreponemal IgM antibodies before treatment to identify syphilis activity for personalized treatment.

6-8 June 2025 Royal College of General Practitioners, London, UK Global conference on anal cancer and other anal HPV-associated conditions The 2025 in-person event will showcase invited presentations, abstracts, small group sessions and a lively scientific interchange on anal HPV infection, anal squamous intraepithelial lesions and anal cancer. To cite the full set of abstracts: (2025) Abstracts from the IANS 2025 Scientific Meeting. Sexual Health 22 , SHv22n3abs. doi:10.1071/SHv22n3abs To cite individual abstracts use the following format: Goel R et al . (2025) 1. Advancing anal cancer screening: the impact of an educational module on provider awareness and implementation of anal cancer screening guidelines [Conference abstract]. Sexual Health 22 , SHv22n3abs.

Background Despite partner notification (PN) being an essential component of sexually transmitted infection (STI) control programs, little is known about how contacts of STIs are notified, and the time taken to present for testing. We aimed to evaluate both aspects in people presenting to Sydney Sexual Health Centre who reported being a sexual contact of someone diagnosed with an STI. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study of data collected between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021 at Sydney Sexual Health Centre. A pop-up field in the electronic medical record collected data about people's experience of being notified of their sexual contact with an STI. We ran univariable and multivariable analysis of time to presentation and PN method against clinical and demographic information. Results There were 2182 presentations because of STI contact notification. Median time to presentation was 3days (IQR 1-7days), which did not differ by spoken or electronic PN. In the multivariable model, people who received spoken PN were less likely to present in P =0.007). This indicates electronic PN may prompt faster testing for STIs. Higher partner number was associated with receiving electronic PN. Conclusions Our study suggests that electronic PN may prompt faster testing for STIs. It provides valuable insights into the characteristics of STI contacts, who are rarely the focus of PN research. Understanding what motivates notified contacts to seek care is integral in modernising PN practices, as rates of STIs climb.

Introduction HIV science has made significant progress, but community engagement in some contexts remains suboptimal, with marginalized and key populations being left behind. Discriminatory policies, medical mistrust, stigma and a lack of resources remain key roadblocks. Citizen-led, community-engaged approaches hold promise in subverting power structures that reproduce such barriers and allow us to leverage community resources. Discussion We draw on our experience of a collaborative research project between the National University of Singapore and RainbowAsia, a community-based organization addressing the needs of young gay, bisexual and queer men in Singapore. The study focused on stigma, resilience, relationships, sexual partnerships and mental health among Singaporean gay, bisexual and queer men, and commenced in June 2022. Despite being a high-income country, research funding for HIV key populations in Singapore remains sparse, as local funders prioritize less politically sensitive topics while international funders rightfully focus funding on resource limited settings. A citizen-led approach was therefore implemented out of necessity and a desire by community members to translate research into evidence-based programs. We propose a citizen science framework comprising eight key phases, including: (1) developing a research and implementation pipeline, (2) stakeholder and resource mapping, (3) delegation of expertise, (4) creating plans for equity, (5) developing a research plan, (6) generating evidence, (7) dissemination and translation, and (8) plans for sustainability and impact. Cross-cutting processes across all phases include the adoption of deliberative democratic processes, training and mentorship, and (re)negotiation of power and recognition for all stakeholders. A total of 44 in-depth interviews were completed, transcribed, and analyzed by a core research team and 26 volunteer research assistants. The entire study required crowdfunding USD1600.00 for participant reimbursements, but otherwise leveraged academic, community and citizen resources to accomplish the study's outputs. Conclusions Our case study illustrates a microcosm of how research evidence can be generated, disseminated, and translated by citizens and communities into evidence-based programs at the community level. Our framework aligns itself with stakeholder engagement principles, and can provide a roadmap for sustainable collaborative research between academic, community and citizen stakeholders.

Background Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (doxy-PEP) has shown efficacy in preventing bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among men who have sex with men (MSM). We aimed to investigate the awareness and willingness toward doxy-PEP among MSM in the real-world setting. Methods From October 2023 to March 2024, we enrolled MSM aged ≥18years, including people with HIV and PrEP users in Taiwan. Participants completed a questionnaire interview on sexual behaviors, STI history, and awareness and willingness to use doxy-PEP. Factors associated with willingness and doxy-PEP prescription were identified. Results Of 1100 participants (median age, 36years), 75.5% were people with HIV and 24.5% were PrEP users. Among them, 29.8% (328/1100) had heard of doxy-PEP. After education and counseling, 85.9% (945/1100) expressed willingness to use doxy-PEP and 45.6% (431/945) received prescriptions for doxy-PEP. In multivariable analysis, willingness to use doxy-PEP was associated with engaging in anal sex (AOR2.98, 95% CI1.01-8.78), having fixed sexual partners (AOR0.53, 95% CI0.34-0.82), using recreational drugs (AOR1.59, 95% CI1.01-2.50) and receiving suggestions from healthcare providers (AOR1.89, 95% CI1.22-2.91). Starting doxy-PEP was associated with having a bachelor's degree or higher (AOR1.47, 95% CI1.03-2.09), more than five sexual partners (AOR1.97, 95% CI1.18-3.27), chlamydia history (AOR1.92, 95% CI1.23-2.99), suggestions from healthcare providers (AOR 1.64, 95% CI1.10-2.45) and information from scientific research papers (AOR1.34, 95% CI1.01-1.79). Conclusions MSM in Taiwan had high willingness toward doxy-PEP, which was correlated with their at-risk sexual behavior. Understanding factors influencing willingness and counseling from healthcare providers may guide doxy-PEP implementation.

Background Human immunodeficiency virus self-testing (HIVST) has been globally recognized as a useful and reliable strategy to promote HIV testing, especially among marginalized populations. To improve the understanding of HIVST uptake of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in China, this study aims to qualitatively explore the HIVST uptake experiences among this population. Methods The study employed photovoice methodology, theoretically built on documentary photography and critical consciousness, to explore the experiences of HIVST and secondary distribution among GBMSM in China. Participants created photos and citations, and shared and discussed them in the group. Three focus groups and one follow-up interview were held virtually for each participant who self-identified as gay or bisexual and used a self-test kit before. Results This program recruited 22 participants from throughout China. The findings revealed that perceived discrimination based on sexual minority identity, and HIV-related stigma and fear affected participants' decision to take HIVST and to pass HIVST kits on to others. Participants utilized HIVST on a routine basis, citing sexual health concerns, psychological comfort and a responsibility to their significant others as reasons for doing so. HIVST kit distribution within intimacy, and the significant role of GBMSM-led community-based organizations were found as characteristics of interactions between participants and those who they passed HIVST kit(s) on to. Conclusion In the study, images and narratives were acquired through empowering GBMSM, and promoting their community engagement to underline the necessity for measures and policies on promoting HIVST among this population. Findings also entailed the need to create a more inclusive society for sexual minorities and people living with HIV. Implications for promoting HIVST secondary distribution, and limitations and strengths of the pioneer photovoice study among GBMSM in China were also listed.