'Every strategy needs to be contributing to erasing the stigma': Maori and Pacific young people talk about overcoming barriers to testing for sexually transmitted infections.

BACKGROUND: Maori and Pacific young people are disproportionately impacted by sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Access to STI screening is important to reduce transmission and reproductive health complications. METHODS: Between November 2022 and May 2023, we held four wananga (workshops) with Maori and Pacific participants (15-24years old) to find out what barriers they encounter to STI testing, and hear their ideas about how to overcome these. Participants were recruited via youth-focused community organisations in the Wellington region of Aotearoa New Zealand. Inductive thematic analysis was used to understand data generated from discussions, drawing on Maori and Pacific models of wellbeing to frame themes. RESULTS: Thirty-eight participants were involved in the wananga. Barriers to STI testing related to five themes: (1) differences in cultural values and expression; (2) family/friends; (3) educational gaps; (4) psychological factors; and (5) structural obstacles. Suggested strategies to improve access to sexual health care included the need for free, flexible services, education and health promotion activities to reach young people in their spaces (e.g. church, marae, social media). Participants stressed the need for approaches to be community-based, delivered by trusted individuals using culturally appropriate messages, and saw participation in STI testing as beneficial for whanau/family and communities. CONCLUSIONS: To improve access to STI testing, participants described the need for free services, together with education and health promotion to improve inter-generational sexual health knowledge. Reframing messages around STIs to align with Maori and Pacific models of wellbeing was identified as a way to normalise conversations, in turn reducing the stigma surrounding STI testing.

Delay discounting of protected sex and compulsive sexual behavior in women with borderline personality disorder.

Background and aims: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition characterized by emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and unstable interpersonal relationships. Some individuals with BPD regularly engage in sexual risk behavior such as unprotected sex and are at higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. This study investigates discounting of condom- or dental dam-protected sex in women with BPD compared with a control group. Methods: Data were collected from 40 women diagnosed with BPD and 40 healthy controls with an average age of 27.28 years (SD = 6.14) using the Sexual Delay Discounting Task (SDT), the Borderline Symptom List-23 (BSL-23), and the Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder Scale-19 (CSBD-19). Results: Women with BPD were less likely to use an immediately available condom or dental dam and more likely to discount safer sex than controls. Partner desirability and the perceived STI risk influenced the participants' likelihood of having protected sex. Women with BPD showed more symptoms of compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) than controls. However, sexual delay discounting was not significantly correlated with borderline symptoms or CSB in the BPD group. Discussion and conclusions: These findings contribute to our understanding of sexual impulsivity in women with BPD and highlight the omission and delayed availability of safety measures as important contributors to sexual risk behavior and STI risk in women. Impulsive sexual behavior, as well as the accompanying sexual health concerns, should receive special attention in the treatment of women with BPD.

Sexual Behavior and Health From Adolescence to Adulthood: Illustrative Examples of 25 Years of Research From Add Health.

Due to its long-term longitudinal design, the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) has provided numerous valuable insights into adolescent and young adult sexual behavior. Framed by a conceptual model of sexual behavior and health, I review research using Add Health data to study sexual behavior and health. In this paper, I review research examining both predictors (e.g., neighborhood, family, genetic, individual) and health outcomes (e.g., sexually transmitted infections, mental health) of sexual behavior in adolescents and young adults. Where possible, I focus on long-term longitudinal studies that make use of the unique strengths of the Add Health data. Existing Add Health research has provided considerable information about both the predictors and health consequences of adolescent and young adult sexual behavior. Factors ranging from neighborhoods to genetics predict whether adolescent and young adults engage in sexual behaviors. Findings on long-term outcomes of adolescent sexual behavior suggest that early sexual behavior predicts higher rates of sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy in young adulthood, but not long-term changes to mental health. Unique contributions of Add Health include the ability to examine multidimensional bio-ecological predictors of sexual behavior and to examine long-term effects of sexual behavior and how sexual behaviors and their correlates change across adolescence into adulthood. Future work can leverage these strengths, and in particular the long-term longitudinal nature of the data, to uncover new insights about the developmental course of sexual behavior and health.

Factors associated with condom use behaviour among young university students / Fatores associados ao uso de camisinha entre jovens universitários / Factores asociados con el uso del condom entre jóvenes universitarios

As the rates of sexually transmitted infections among Brazilian youth rise, college students present with low rates of condom use. Understanding which factors affect preventive behaviours may assist in promoting them. This study aimed to test the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) as a model of condom use behaviour among young university students. Data on sexual behaviour, TPB, and personality variables were collected online with 343 sexually active students aged between 18 and 29. Seventy participants also provided follow-up data after 30 days. Structural equation models and ordinal regressions were used to analyse the effects of TPB variables on condom use behaviour. Attitude was the main predictor of behavioural intention in the cross-sectional and longitudinal models. Being in a relationship and lower age at sexual debut were also associated with less frequent condom use behaviour in the cross-sectional analysis. Behavioural intention and perceived control were associated with condom use behaviour. (AU)

Enquanto a incidência de infecções sexualmente transmissíveis cresce entre jovens brasileiros, universitários apresentam pouco uso de preservativos. Compreender quais fatores afetam a adoção de comportamentos preventivos pode auxiliar na sua promoção. Esse estudo testou a Teoria do Comportamento Planejado (TCP) como modelo de uso de camisinha entre jovens universitários. Foram coletados dados sobre comportamento sexual, TCP, e personalidade em questionário online com 343 estudantes sexualmente ativos entre 18 e 29 anos de idade. Setenta participantes também responderam ao follow-up após 30 dias. Modelos de equações estruturais e regressões ordinais foram usados para analisar os efeitos das variáveis da TCP no uso de preservativo. Atitude foi o principal preditor da intenção comportamental nos modelos transversal e longitudinal. Estar em um relacionamento e menor idade na primeira relação sexual também foram associados a uso menos frequente de preservativo na análise transversal. Intenção comportamental e controle percebido foram associados com uso de preservativo. (AU)

Mientras la incidencia de infecciones de transmisión sexual aumenta entre los jóvenes brasileños, los estudiantes universitarios reportan poco uso de preservativos. Comprender qué factores inciden en la adopción de conductas preventivas puede ayudar en su promoción. Este estudio probó la Teoría del Comportamiento Planeado (TCP) como modelo de uso de preservativos entre jóvenes universitarios. Los datos sobre comportamiento sexual, TCP y personalidad fueron recopilados en un cuestionario en línea con 343 estudiantes sexualmente activos entre 18 y 29 años. Setenta participantes también respondieron al seguimiento después de 30 días. Se utilizaron modelos de ecuaciones estructurales y regresiones ordinales para analizar los efectos de las variables de TCP sobre la utilización del condón. La actitud fue el principal predictor de la intención en los modelos transversal y longitudinal. Estar en una relación y una edad más temprana en la primera relación sexual se asociaron con el uso menos frecuente de preservativo en el análisis transversal. La intención conductual y el control percibido se asociaron con el uso de condones. (AU)

Women empowerment and sexually transmitted infections: Evidence from Bangladesh demographic and health survey 2014.

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among women have led to substantial public health and economic burdens in several low-middle-income countries. However, there is a paucity of scientific knowledge about the relationship between empowerment and symptoms of STIs among married Bangladeshi women. This article aimed to examine the association between women empowerment and symptoms of STIs among currently married Bangladeshi women of reproductive age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We extracted data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), conducted from June 28, 2014, to November 9, 2014. We utilised cross-tabulation, the conceptual framework and multivariable multilevel mixed-effect logistics regression to explore the association between women's empowerment indicators and women's self-reported symptoms of genital sore and abnormal genital discharge. All of the analysis was adjusted using cluster weight. RESULTS: We found that among 16,858 currently married women, 5.59% and 10.84% experienced genital sores and abnormal genital discharge during the past 12 months, respectively. Women who depended on husbands to make decisions regarding their health care (AOR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.67-0.84), significant household purchases (AOR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.71-0.88), and visiting family or relatives (AOR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.64-0.80) were less likely to report signs of abnormal genital discharge. Women who could make joint healthcare decisions with their husbands were also less likely to report genital sores (AOR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.67-0.90). CONCLUSION: Genital sores and abnormal genital discharge were prevalent across all parameters of women empowerment among currently married women in Bangladesh. Our estimates show that the husband plays a significant role in decision-making about sexual and reproductive health. Efforts need to be invested in establishing culturally relevant gender policies which facilitate the involvement of women in joint decision-making.

"Sex is supposed to be naturally more pleasurable": Healers as providers of holistic sexual and reproductive healthcare in Uganda.

Global health researchers often approach Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) from a health efficacy perspective, asking whether the presence of plural medical systems helps or hinders the uptake of biomedicine. Medical anthropologists, by contrast, typically emphasize how plural medical systems encourage us to rethink health ontologies-that is, who and what comes to constitute the experience of health and illness, and through which practices. Building on both approaches, we explore the role of "healers," a term we use to encompass several different kinds of TCAM providers, in the sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH) of young people from southcentral Uganda, a region well known as an HIV/AIDS epicenter. Drawing from ethnographic data, we describe three reasons that young people seek SRH from healers. First, they associate stigma, scarcity, and high costs with biomedical SRH. Second, healers work across biomedical and non-biomedical therapeutic divides, prescribing herbs for sexually transmitted infections while simultaneously referring clients to biomedical HIV clinics. Third, healers provide counseling focused on pleasurable and economically-motivated sex. Because these therapies diverge from international and national HIV prevention messaging that frames non-marital and transactional sex in terms of danger and disease, healers' holistic approach to SRH may help to reconstitute the meaning, practice, and experience of "sexual health" in contemporary Uganda. This has important implications for improving global SRH programs and for understanding the continued appeal of TCAM more generally.

Intervención lúdica para la prevención de enfermedades de transmisión sexual / Playful intervention for the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases

Las estrategias preventivas para las enfermedades de transmisión sexual en poblaciones jóvenes, se han convertido en una prioridad de salud pública. Los adolescentes y adultos jóvenes, se han identificado como los que tienden a participar más frecuentemente, en actividades sexuales riesgosas; dentro este grupo de población, se encuentran en su mayoría los estudiantes universitarios, de ahí que no solo los sistemas de salud deben dar respuesta a esta situación, también las distintas organizaciones educativas. Por tanto, se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal en dos universidades peruanas, con el objetivo de evaluar la percepción de la participación en un programa de intervención lúdica sobre el conocimiento y actitudes preventivas hacia las enfermedades de infección sexual. La muestra estuvo conformada por 149 participantes, de ellos 51,68% masculinos y 43,28% femeninas. Se realizó la valoración de la intervención mediante la escala de Likert y la intencionalidad conductual a través de la prueba T de comparación de medias. Los resultados mostraron, luego de la aplicación de las 16 actividades lúdicas, significacia estadística sobre mejora del conocimiento y la intencionalidad de cambios conductuales positivos en torno a la práctica de sexualidad responsable, además de la importancia de abordar la temática con información clara y precisa. Se concluye que las estrategias lúdicas son efectivas para la concientización sobre la prevención de ETS y embarazos no deseados; además se puede utilizarse para reforzar conocimientos, prácticas e inducir mejoras en las actitudes contra la estimagtización de las personas que viven con ETS(AU)

Application of Integrated Behavioral Model (IBM) to measure intention to get early screening and treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) among HIV at- risk sub-populations in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) increase the risk of contracting Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Hence, early screening and treatment of STIs as a behavioral practice will reduce the odds of HIV infection among at risk and vulnerable sub-populations. To that end, HIV prevention strategies need to design evidence-based interventions using behavioral models or theories to help at-risk individuals adopt early screening and treatment of STI as preventive health behavior. In this study, commercial sex workers were considered as HIV at-risk sub-populations. OBJECTIVE: Measuring to what extent that Integrated Behavioral Model constructs explain individuals' intention to practice early screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections as healthy behavior of interest in HIV prevention. DESIGN: Integrated Behavioral Model (IBM) measurement survey was conducted using Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) in six towns located in the main transport corridors of Ethiopia. Respondents' answers to model construct-based questions and intention to practice the health behavior of interest were measured using Likert Scale. Analysis was done to assess the correlation and level of association of model construct-based questions with intention to practice the preventive health behavior. RESULTS: Respondents' attitude explained 32%, perceived control 2%, normative influence 21%, and self-efficacy 53 % of their intention to get early screening and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. CONCLUSION: Self-efficacy explained the variability of respondents' intention to get early screening and treatment of STIs most, while perceived control was the least. Hence, HIV prevention behavioral interventions targeting early screening and treatment of STIs should give high emphasis to self-efficacy.

Sexually transmitted infection (STI) research priority-setting: a two-stage study including the perspectives of patients, the public, clinicians and stakeholders.

OBJECTIVES: Patient and public involvement (PPI) in research priority-setting remains limited, especially for non-HIV STI. We identify and compare the top 10 patient and public STI research priorities with those of clinicians and STI stakeholders. METHODS: This two-stage study was conducted in May-August 2019. First, STI research priorities were canvassed through qualitative questionnaires issued to all patients attending a large sexual health clinic, all clinicians in region-wide mailing lists, all stakeholders identified through existing networks and the Charity Commission database, and to the Liverpool public. Raw responses were organised by theme into a shortlist of 25. In stage 2, these were ranked through priority-setting activities by telephone with patients and the public (n=8) and some clinicians (n=3), and in two workshops with clinicians (n=26) and stakeholders (n=5), respectively. The top 10 priorities were compared. RESULTS: Of 373 surveys submitted, 106 were analysed (83 patient and public; 23 clinician and stakeholder). Exclusions included lack of completion and responses out of scope. Among patient and public respondents, 55% (n=46) were aged 18-24 years, 51% (n=42) identified as heterosexual women and 23% (n=19) as men who have sex with men. Clinicians included all cadres; stakeholders were academics, commissioners and third sector representatives. In stage 2, 4 of 10 themes (STI education, targeted services for high-risk groups, antibiotic resistance and counselling for those with STI) were prioritised by all. Remote STI services and rapid diagnostics also ranked highly but the rationale differed between groups. CONCLUSION: This is the first non-HIV STI research priority-setting exercise to be reported in the UK. It identifies overlaps and differences between public and provider concerns, highlights gaps in the public understanding of STI research, and shows how PPI can promote research responsive to the concerns of both those who use and deliver services.

STI prevalence among men living with HIV engaged in safer conception care in rural, southwestern Uganda.

HIV care provides an opportunity to integrate comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare, including sexually transmitted infection (STI) management. We describe STI prevalence and correlates among men living with HIV (MLWH) accessing safer conception care to conceive a child with an HIV-uninfected partner while minimizing HIV transmission risks. This study reflects an ongoing safer conception program embedded within a regional referral hospital HIV clinic in southwestern Uganda. We enrolled MLWH, planning for pregnancy with an HIV-uninfected partner and accessing safer conception care. Participants completed interviewer-administered questionnaires detailing socio-demographics, gender dynamics, and sexual history. Participants also completed STI laboratory screening for syphilis (immunochromatographic testing confirmed by rapid plasma reagin), and chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, and HIV-RNA via GeneXpert nucleic acid amplification testing. Bivariable associations of STI covariates were assessed using Fisher's exact test. Among the 50 men who completed STI screening, median age was 33 (IQR 31-37) years, 13/50 (26%) had ≥2 sexual partners in the prior three months, and 46/50 (92%) had HIV-RNA <400 copies/mL. Overall, 11/50 (22%) had STIs: 16% active syphilis, 6% chlamydia. All participants initiated STI treatment. STI prevalence was associated with the use of threats/intimidation to coerce partners into sex (27% vs 3%; p = 0.03), although absolute numbers were small. We describe a 22% curable STI prevalence among a priority population at higher risk for transmission to partners and neonates. STI screening and treatment as a part of comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare should be integrated into HIV care to maximize the health of men, women, and children.

Sexual health interventions delivered to participants by mobile technology: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: The use of mobile technologies to prevent STIs is recognised as a promising approach worldwide; however, evidence has been inconclusive, and the field has developed rapidly. With about 1 million new STIs a day globally, up-to-date evidence is urgently needed. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of mobile health interventions delivered to participants for preventing STIs and promoting preventive behaviour. METHODS: We searched seven databases and reference lists of 49 related reviews (January 1990-February 2020) and contacted experts in the field. We included randomised controlled trials of mobile interventions delivered to adolescents and adults to prevent sexual transmission of STIs. We conducted meta-analyses and assessed risk of bias and certainty of evidence following Cochrane guidance. RESULTS: After double screening 6683 records, we included 22 trials into the systematic review and 20 into meta-analyses; 18 trials used text messages, 3 used smartphone applications and 1 used Facebook messages as delivery modes. The certainty of evidence regarding intervention effects on STI/HIV occurrence and adverse events was low or very low. There was moderate certainty of evidence that in the short/medium-term text messaging interventions had little or no effect on condom use (standardised mean differences (SMD) 0.02, 95% CI -0.09 to 0.14, nine trials), but increased STI/HIV testing (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.41 to 2.36, seven trials), although not if the standard-of-care control already contained an active text messaging component (OR 1.00, 95% CI 0.68 to 1.47, two trials). Smartphone application messages also increased STI/HIV testing (risk ratio 1.40, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.60, subgroup analysis, two trials). The effects on other outcomes or of social media or blended interventions is uncertain due to low or very low certainty evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Text messaging interventions probably increase STI/HIV testing but not condom use in the short/medium term. Ongoing trials will report the effects on biological and other outcomes.

Potential interactions between the pathways to diagnosis of HIV and other STIs and HIV self-testing: insights from a qualitative study of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Singapore.

OBJECTIVES: This study draws on qualitative insights on the barriers and facilitators to HIV testing, as well as perceptions of HIV self-testing (HIVST), to propose a framework to understand not only the benefits but also potential knock-on implications of introducing HIVST in the context of other STI testing. METHODS: We conducted semistructured, in-depth interviews with 30 gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men aged 18 and 39 years old in Singapore. Interview topics included barriers and facilitators to HIV and other STI testing, as well as perceptions of HIVST. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: For HIV testing, participants cited the perceived risk of acquiring, susceptibility to and symptoms of HIV as internal motivators, while social influence and accessibility of HIV testing services were external motivators. For STI testing, perceived symptoms and partner notification of STI were reported as internal and external motivators, respectively. Availability of bundle tests, starting a new relationship and instances of mandatory testing motivated both simultaneous HIV and other STI testing. The fear of a positive diagnosis and lack of confidentiality were cited as internal and external barriers to HIV testing, respectively, while low perceived severity of other STI and the cost of STI tests were cited as internal and external barriers to other STI testing, respectively. We identified pathways to HIV and other STI testing and discussed how the introduction of HIVST may reduce opportunities for other STI testing. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that introducing HIVST might weaken linkages to other STI testing if alternative strategies of promoting other STI testing are not simultaneously implemented. We recommend that future interventions address both the risks of HIV and other STI simultaneously, and that structural interventions promoting HIV and other STI preventions be balanced accordingly.

Characterising HIV and STIs among transgender female sex workers: a longitudinal analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Though highly vulnerable to HIV and STIs, transgender female sex workers (TFSWs) are understudied in the US HIV and STI response. This study examined the correlates of laboratory-confirmed STIs among a cohort of 62 TFSWs followed over the course of 1 year and explored associations between specimen site and self-reported engagement in insertive and receptive anal intercourse. METHODS: Participants completed an interviewer-administered computer-assisted personal interview at baseline, 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-month visits where self-administered anal swabs and urine samples for gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis were also collected. HIV testing was conducted at baseline, 6-month and 12-month visits. RESULTS: Baseline HIV prevalence was 40.3% with no HIV seroconversions over follow-up. Baseline prevalence of gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis was 9.7%, 17.7% and 14.5%, respectively. In the multivariable regression modelling, recent arrest was significantly associated with testing positive for any STI (adjusted risk ratio (RR) 1.77; 95% CI: 1.10 to 2.84). Insertive anal sex with clients was associated with increased risk of testing positive for an STI via urine specimen (RR 3.48; 95% CI: 1.14 to 10.62), while receptive anal sex was not significantly associated with specimen site. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirm a high prevalence of STIs among TFSWs and highlight the importance of addressing structural drivers such as criminal justice involvement as well as the need to ensure screening for STIs at all anatomical sites regardless of self-reported sites of potential exposure. More research is needed to better understand HIV and STI vulnerabilities and appropriate interventions for TFSWs in the USA.

Assessing the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Sexually Transmitted Infections Among College Students in a Rural Midwest Setting.

The objective of this research was to assess that knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding sexual heath among rural college students in Nebraska. We administered an electronic survey (n = 125) that was adapted from the YRBSS and National College Health Assessment to compare results to national estimates. Results show condom use was below the national average (38.4% vs. 54.1%) during last time of having sexual intercourse. Only half (51%) of rural college students had received the HPV vaccine, and significantly less among males (18%) compared to females (60%). 37% of participants strongly agreed/agreed they felt their parents would find out if they had an STI screening, and even more felt their social group would find out (42%). Nearly all (92%) of the participants strongly agreed/agreed that they would tell their partner if they noticed that they had symptoms of an STI; although, over half (60%) of the participants strongly agreed/agreed that they thought they could tell if there was a change in their body indicating after contracting a STI, 33% did not know that STIs can have no symptoms, and over half (52%) almost never/never get STI screening when they had new partners. There was a significant positive association between with highest level of sexual health education and composite knowledge scores. The results show that sexual health among rural college students is an important, but understudied, health disparity. Online and college-oriented interventions could be used to help bridge the gap of sexual health education in states that do not mandate sexual health education, like Nebraska.