Determinants of contraceptive method among young women at risk for unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between contraceptive method choice, sexual risk and various demographic and social factors. Data were collected on 378, 15- to 24-year-old women, recruited from health clinics and through community outreach in Northern California. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association of predictors with contraceptive method used at last sex. Asian and Latina women were less likely to use any method. Women who were raised with a religion, or thought they were infertile, were also less likely to use any method. Women with multiple partners were generally less likely to use any method, but were more likely to use barrier methods when they did use one. Few women (7%) were dual method users. Women appear to act in a rational fashion within their own social context and may use no methods at all or use methods that are less effective for pregnancy prevention but offer more protection from sexually transmitted infections.     

The current status of sexually transmitted infections in South Korean children in the last 10 years

ObjectivesThis study aimed to review the status of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in children in South Korea between 2010 and 2019, as well as to establish guidelines for the prevention and management to reduce the incidence of STIs in children.MethodsData reports from 590 STI surveillance institutions in local health center, hospital-level medical institutions with urology or obstetrics/gynecology departments and public hospitals between 2010 and 2019 in the integrative disease management system of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency as of December 2020 were analyzed.ResultsA total of 172,645 cases of STIs were reported over the 10-year period (2010–2019), of which 2,179 cases (1.26%) represented STIs in children below the age of 18 years. A higher incidence of infections was observed in girls (1,499 cases, 68.79%) than in boys (680 cases, 31.21%). The STIs that had the highest incidence were, in descending order, chlamydial infections (997 cases, 45.75%), gonorrhea (592 cases, 27.17%), condyloma acuminata (338 cases, 15.51%), genital herpes (250 cases, 11.47%), and chancroid (2 cases, 0.09%). In adolescents aged 14 to 17 years, chlamydial infections, genital herpes, and gonorrhea were most frequently reported. Condyloma acuminata, in particular, have been consistently reported in children below the age of 14 years.ConclusionChildren must be protected legally and institutionally from sexual abuse. Specific management protocols for STIs in children must be established by local governments and associated organizations. National human papillomavirus vaccination programs should be expanded to include boys, and anti-STI educational efforts using modern media should be more activated.     

未婚青年性病预防和治疗咨询需要和实现状况

全球15~24岁青年性传播疾病(STI)报告率最高[1]。目前各国缺乏未婚性活跃青年STI发病率和流行率的有效数据[2]。国内学者推断中国未婚育龄人群中性病的感染率高于已婚育龄人群[3]。     

Hormonal contraceptive use and risk of sexually transmitted infections: a systematic review

Previous research has suggested that hormonal contraceptive users, compared with nonusers, may be at increased risk for acquiring sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We searched the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for all articles from January 1966 through February 2005 for evidence relevant to all hormonal contraceptives and STIs (including cervical chlamydial and gonococcal infection, human papillomavirus, trichomoniasis, herpes and syphilis). We used standard abstract forms and grading systems to summarize and assess the quality of 83 identified studies. Studies of combined oral contraceptive and depot medroxyprogesterone use generally reported positive associations with cervical chlamydial infection, although not all associations were statistically significant. For other STIs, the findings suggested no association between hormonal contraceptive use and STI acquisition, or the results were too limited to draw any conclusions. Evidence was generally limited in both amount and quality, including inadequate adjustment for confounding, lack of appropriate control groups and small sample sizes. The observed positive associations may be due to a true association or to bias, such as differential exposure to STIs by contraceptive use or increased likelihood of STI detection among hormonal contraceptive users.     

Prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections,and related preventive and risk behaviours,among gay,bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Montreal,Toronto and Vancouver: results from the Engage Study

ObjectivesThe last Canadian biobehavioural surveillance study of HIV and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM) was conducted in 2010. We designed a study to measure STBBI prevalence among GBM in metropolitan Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver and to document related preventive and risk behaviours.MethodsThe Engage Cohort Study used respondent-driven sampling (RDS) to recruit GBM who reported sex with another man in the past 6 months. At baseline, we examined recruitment characteristics of the samples, and the RDS-II-adjusted distributions of socio-demographics, laboratory-confirmed HIV and other STBBI prevalence, and related behaviours, with a focus on univariate differences among cities.ResultsA total of 2449 GBM were recruited from February 2017 to August 2019. HIV prevalence was lower in Montreal (14.2%) than in Toronto (22.2%) or Vancouver (20.4%). History of syphilis infection was similar across cities (14–16%). Vancouver had more HIV-negative/unknown participants who reported never being HIV tested (18.6%) than Toronto (12.9%) or Montreal (11.5%). Both Montreal (74.9%) and Vancouver (78.8%) had higher proportions of men who tested for another STBBI in the past 6 months than Toronto (67.4%). Vancouver had a higher proportion of men who used pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in the past 6 months (18.9%) than Toronto (11.1%) or Montreal (9.6%).ConclusionThe three largest cities of Canada differed in HIV prevalence, STBBI testing and PrEP use among GBM. Our findings also suggest the need for scale-up of both PrEP and STI testing among GBM in Canada.     

Neighborhood drug markets: a risk environment for bacterial sexually transmitted infections among urban youth

We hypothesized that neighborhoods with drug markets, as compared to those without, have a greater concentration of infected sex partners, i.e. core transmitters, and that in these areas, there is an increased risk environment for STIs. This study determined if neighborhood drug markets were associated with a high-risk sex partnership and, separately, with a current bacterial STI (chlamydia and/or gonorrhea) after controlling for individual demographic and sexual risk factors among a household sample of young people in Baltimore City, MD. Analyses also tested whether links were independent of neighborhood socioeconomic status. Data for this study were collected from a household study, systematic social observations and police arrest, public health STI surveillance and U.S. census data. Nonlinear multilevel models showed that living in neighborhoods with household survey-reported drug markets increased the likelihood of having a high-risk sex partnership after controlling for individual-level demographic factors and illicit drug use and neighborhood socioeconomic status. Further, living in neighborhoods with survey-reported drug markets increased the likelihood of having a current bacterial STI after controlling for individual-level demographic and sexual risk factors and neighborhood socioeconomic status. The results suggest that local conditions in neighborhoods with drug markets may play an important role in setting-up risk environments for high-risk sex partnerships and bacterial STIs. Patterns observed appeared dependent on the type of drug market indicator used. Future studies should explore how conditions in areas with local drug markets may alter sexual networks structures and whether specific types of drug markets are particularly important in determining STI risk.     

Mobility and its liminal context: exploring sexual partnering among truck drivers crossing the Southern Brazilian border

Mobile populations, including truck drivers, are at elevated risk of acquiring HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). However, measures of mobility have been poorly operationalized and little research exists exploring the psychosocial context of mobility and sexual risk taking. A systematic sample of 1775 male truck drivers underwent interview at two customs stations on the Southern Brazilian international border in 2003. The psychosocial effect of being mobile was assessed by clustering truckers based on perceptions of the liminal environment, or being outside of one's normal social environment. The relationship between physical mobility (nights spent at home) and liminal cluster with sexual partnerships was assessed. The clustering procedure yielded three dispositions towards the liminal environment. Compared to truckers in the baseline cluster, those who perceive the environment as (1) very, or (2) moderately permissive had increased odds of reporting a commercial sex partner in the past six months and reported increased numbers of commercial partners. For each week slept at home, the odds of reporting a commercial partner decreased by a factor of 0.73 and the average number of commercial partners decreased by a rate of 0.76. Physical and psychosocial measures of mobility were associated independently with increased partnering on the road. Additional exploration of how the liminal environment shapes mobile populations' sexual decision making and vulnerability to STI is warranted.     

Prevention and control of sexually transmitted infections among adolescents: the importance of a socio-ecological perspective--a commentary

The sexually transmitted infection (STI) epidemic among adolescents in the USA is inextricably tied to individual, psychosocial and cultural phenomena. Reconceptualizing the epidemic within an expanded socio-ecological framework may provide an opportunity to better confront its challenges. In this article, we use a socio-ecological framework to identify determinants of adolescents' sexual risk and protective behaviours as well as antecedents of their STI acquisition. The goal is to provide a synthesis of several discrete categories of research. Subsequently, we propose an integrated strategy that addresses the STI epidemic among adolescents by promoting a socio-ecological perspective in both basic research and intervention design. This approach may expand the knowledge base and facilitate the development of a broader array of intervention strategies, such as community-level interventions, policy initiatives, institutionally based programmes, and macro-level societal changes. Although there are inherent challenges associated with such an approach, the end result may have reciprocal and reinforcing effects designed to enhance the adoption and maintenance of STI-preventive practices among adolescents, and further reduce the rate of STIs.     

In sickness and in health: Same-sex marriage laws and sexually transmitted infections

This paper analyzes the relationship between same-sex marriage laws and sexually transmitted infections in the United States using state-level data from 1981 to 2008. We hypothesize that same-sex marriage laws may directly affect risky homosexual behavior; may affect or mirror social attitudes toward gays, which in turn may affect homosexual behavior; and may affect or mirror attitudes toward non-marital sex, which may affect risky heterosexual behavior. Our findings may be summarized as follows. Laws banning same-sex marriage are unrelated to gonorrhea rates, which are a proxy for risky heterosexual behavior. They are more closely associated with syphilis rates, which are a proxy for risky homosexual behavior. However, these estimates are smaller and less statistically significant when we exclude California, the state with the largest gay population. Also, laws permitting same-sex marriage are unrelated to gonorrhea or syphilis, but variation in these laws is insufficient to yield precise estimates. In sum, the findings point to a modest positive association-if any at all-between same-sex marriage bans and syphilis.     

佛山市城市青少年健康危险行为研究（四）——易导致意外怀孕和性传播疾病的性行为

目的了解佛山市城市青少年易导致意外怀孕和性传播疾病的性行为现状。方法对佛山市中心城区12所全日制初高中、职校和大学3844名在校学生，采用中国青少年健康相关行为问卷调查表进行调查。结果大、中学生15．0％看过色情书籍或色情音像制品。高中学生中只有72．9％的接受过艾滋病相关知识教育，75．1％的学生知道艾滋病病原体是病毒，只有50．8％能对艾滋病感染者持正确态度，84．9％接受过青春期性教育，34．5％有旱恋现象，2．8％曾发生过性行为，不同学校类型高中旱恋及性行为发生率以职业中学为高，而健康教育以职业中学薄弱。大学生中8．7％有性交行为，3．8％有多性伴性行为，性行为发生率男生高于女生。结论城市青少年中性健康危险行为状况不容乐观，其危险行为有年龄、性别和学校类型等差异，应尽快有针对性地开展生殖健康教育和艾滋病预防教育，加强对青少年性行为、性观念的正确引导十分必要。     

浙江省台州市男男性行为者艾滋病病毒/性传播感染的危险行为与性关系网络调查

目的 了解浙江省台州市男男性行为者(MSM)艾滋病病毒/性传播感染(HIV/STI)及相关危险行为,初步了解其性关系网络.方法 采用横断面研究设计,在台州市区2个MSM聚集地点以方便抽样法招募研究对象,知情同意后进行问卷调查,并采集血样检测HIV/STI感染. 结果 共调查106名MSM,收获有效问卷97份;25.0%(23/92)的对象有过1名女性性伴,47.8%(44/92)有过≥2名女性性伴;14.3%(13/91)有过1名男性肛交性伴,80.2%(73/91)有过≥2名肛交性伴;22.1%(19/86)有过群交行为,62.5%(55/88)肛交时没有100%使用安全套;15.1%(14/93)有过1名男性口交性伴,75.3%(70/93)有≥2名男性口交性伴;38.9%(37/95)曾向女性买过性;35.5%(33/93)曾向男性买过性,15.3%(13/85)曾向男性卖过性.HIV抗体阳性率为3.9%(3/77),梅毒抗体阳性率为24.7%(18/73),Ⅱ-型单纯疱疹病毒抗体阳性率为15.1%(11/73),HCV抗体检测均为阴性.46名对象报告MSM认识关系个体中心网络,平均联结度数5.91,平均网络密度0.548;43名对象报告性关系个体中心网络,平均联结度数2.70,平均网络密度0.246. 结论 台州地区MSM人群中存在多性伴、安全套使用率低、商业性服务等危险行为,HIV/STI感染率较高.MSM群体内部性关系紧密,可能存在一些高风险的疏离个体,仍需进一步研究其性关系网络与HIV/STI传播间的关系.     

1996～1999年昆明市常住人口性病艾滋病行为危险因素动态监测

目的了解性病艾滋病流行的潜在危险因素,为制定防治对策和干预措施提供依据,为评价防治效果提供信息.方法1996～1999年对昆明市城市常住人口每两个月进行1次随机抽样调查,每次调查200人,进行连续的性病艾滋病行为危险因素监测.结果从1996～1999年人群的性病艾滋病传播途径知识知晓率分别从49.2%上升到62.8%(X2=96.5,P＜0.01)和从16.6%上升到35.2%(x2=146.5,P＜0.01).避孕套功用知晓率、对待艾滋病病人的态度改变不明显.人群危险行为比例处于低水平,15～39岁人群中存在无保护的危险性行为(0.8%～2.5%)和吸毒行为(0.3%～2.4%).结论人群性病艾滋病知识知晓率明显提高.15～39岁的人群中存在感染艾滋病的高危险因素,是今后干预的重点人群.     

Association between human papillomavirus vaccine status and sexually transmitted infection outcomes among females aged 18-35 with a history of sexual activity in the United States: A population survey-based cross-sectional analysis

BackgroundCurrent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine coverage in the United States (in 2019, 66–70%), remains below the Healthy People 2020 coverage goal of 80%. HPV vaccine misinformation, including parental concerns of sexual risk-compensation influence vaccine uptake. We examined the association between HPV vaccination and sexually transmitted infection (STI) outcomes.MethodsOf the 20,146 participants from 2013 to 2014 and 2015–2016 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1050 females aged 18–35 with a history of sexual activity had complete case data. Roa-Scott Chi-squared and F-tests assessed survey-weighted socio-demographic differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated participants. Weighted logistic regression assessed crude and adjusted associations between self-reported HPV vaccination (none vs. ≥ 1dose) and lab-confirmed STIs (trichomonas and chlamydia) and vaccine-type HPV (6/11/16/18). As a sensitivity analysis, we conducted weighted-propensity score (PS) models and inverse probability weighting by vaccination status. PS and logistic regression were estimated through survey-weighted logistic regression on variables including race, education, income, marital status, US citizenship, cycle year and age.ResultsOverall, 325 (31.8%) females with a history of sexual activity were HPV vaccinated, of which 22 (6.1%) received the vaccine at the routine-recommended ages of 11–12, 65.7% were vaccinated after their self-reported sexual debut, 3.8% had a lab-confirmed STI and 3.5% had vaccine-type HPV. There was no association between HPV vaccination and any STIs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.67, 95%CI:0.38–1.20), and vaccinated participants had 61% reduced odds of vaccine-type HPV (vs. unvaccinated; aOR 0.39, 95%CI:0.19–0.83). Results from the PS sensitivity analysis were similar to the main findings.ConclusionAmong females who reported a history of sexual activity, HPV vaccination status was protective against vaccine-type HPV and not associated with lab-based STI outcomes. Although findings may be susceptible to reporting bias, results indicating low vaccine uptake at routine-recommended ages requires additional efforts promoting HPV vaccination before sexual-debut.     

Eating sweets without the wrapper: perceptions of HIV and sexually transmitted infections among street youth in western Kenya

Street-connected youth in Kenya are a population potentially at risk of HIV transmission, yet little is known about their perceptions and experiences of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), despite their living in an HIV endemic region. We sought to elucidate the language and sociocultural factors rooted in street life that impact on street-connected young people’s knowledge of and perceptions about the prevention and transmission of STIs, and their diagnosis and treatment, using qualitative methods in western Kenya. We conducted a total of 25 in-depth interviews and 5 focus-group discussions with 65 participants aged 11–24 years in Eldoret, Kenya. Thematic analysis was conducted and data were coded according to themes and patterns emergent until saturation was reached. In general, street-connected young people knew of STIs and some of the common symptoms associated with these infections. However, there were many misconceptions regarding transmission and prevention. Gender inequities were prominent, as the majority of men described women as individuals who spread STIs due to unhygienic practices, urination and multiple partners. Due to misconceptions, gender inequity and lack of access to youth-friendly healthcare there is an urgent need for community-based organisations and healthcare facilities to introduce or augment their adolescent sexual and reproductive health programmes for vulnerable young people.     

Using multilevel models to evaluate the influence of contextual factors on HIV/AIDS,sexually transmitted infections,and risky sexual behavior in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

Purpose

To describe the use of multilevel models (MLMs) in evaluating the influence of contextual factors on HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and risky sexual behavior (RSB) in sub-Saharan Africa.

云南河口县越南跨境女性性工作者性传播感染和求医行为状况

目的了解云南河口县越南跨境女性性工作者(FSW)人群性传播感染状况、求医行为及其影响因素,为促进越南跨境FSW生殖健康和预防控制性病传播提供依据。方法采用“滚雪球”方式在云南河口县娱乐场所招募研究对象,进行问卷调查并采集血液、阴道分泌物和取宫颈拭子标本进行HIV/性病检测。结果共调查262名越南跨境FSW,94人被检出感染性病和艾滋病,感染率为35.88%。近一年116名(44.27%)越南跨境FSW出现性病相关症状,其中34.45%出现症状后选择去医院或私人门诊就诊,44.83%自行买药治疗,20.69%未做任何治疗。在过去一年进行过性病检测(OR=3.54,P<0.05),来自中高档场所(OR=3.94,P<0.05),出现两种以上性病相关症状(OR=3.88,P<0.05),自认为感染性病高风险(OR=3.03,P<0.05)的FSW更可能去医院或私人门诊就诊。结论云南河口县越南跨境FSW人群有较高的性病感染率,出现性病相关症状去医院门诊就诊率较低,未做任何治疗比例较高,需要正确引导越南跨境FSW的求医行为。     

中国大陆男男性接触者艾滋病性病高危险行为情况调查

目的 调查中国大陆男男性接触者（men who have sex with men,MSM)的艾滋病（acpuired immunodeficiency syndrome,AIDS）和性病（sexually transmitted diseases,STD）高危险行为及相关情况。方法 采用不同记名邮寄问卷形式调查。结果 发放调查问卷1800份,回收有效问卷729份,应答率40.5%。调查对象平均31.0岁。首次男男性交平均18.6岁。累计男性伴平均数39.2人,75.7%有过肛交行为。近一年内,63.6%有过陌生男性伴,39.8%曾群交,9.3%“买”过性,３.8％“卖”过性。约半数与女性性交过。　133人自述患过性病（18.2%）。62人检测过人类免疫缺陷病毒（human immune deficiency virus,HIV）抗体,11人阳性（17.7%）。约2/3使用过避孕套。结论 被调查的MSM在性方面相当活跃,HIV感染率在这一人群中巳达较高水平,而且流行全直接蔓延到异性恋人群。