16 results
Search Results
2. Chlamydia retesting remains low among young women in Australia: an observational study using sentinel surveillance data, 2018-2022.
- Author
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Munari SC, Wilkinson AL, Asselin J, Owen L, Read P, Finlayson R, Martin S, Bell C, O'Connor CC, Carter A, Guy R, McNulty A, Varma R, Chow EPF, Fairley CK, Donovan B, Stoove M, Goller JL, Hocking J, and Hellard ME
- Subjects
- Humans, Female, Adolescent, Young Adult, Adult, Sentinel Surveillance, Reinfection, Australia epidemiology, Mass Screening, Chlamydia trachomatis, Chlamydia Infections diagnosis, Chlamydia Infections epidemiology, Chlamydia Infections microbiology, Chlamydia
- Abstract
Background: Chlamydia remains the most notified bacterial sexually transmissible infection in Australia with guidelines recommending testing for re-infection at 3months post treatment. This paper aimed to determine chlamydia retesting and repeat positivity rates within 2-4months among young women in Australia, and to evaluate what factors increase or decrease the likelihood of retesting., Methods: Chlamydia retesting rates among 16-29-year-old women were analysed from Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance of sexually transmissible infection and bloodborne virus (ACCESS) sentinel surveillance data (n =62 sites). Among women with at least one positive test between 1 January 2018 and 31 August 2022, retesting counts and proportions within 2-4months were calculated. Logistic regression was performed to assess factors associated with retesting within 2-4months., Results: Among 8758 women who were positive before 31 August 2022 to allow time for follow up, 1423 (16.2%) were retested within 2-4months, of whom 179 (12.6%) tested positive. The odds of retesting within 2-4months were 25% lower if tested in a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-9) pandemic year (2020-2022) (aOR=0.75; 95% CI 0.59-0.95). Among 9140 women with a positive test before 30 November 2022, 397 (4.3%) were retested too early (within 7days to 1month) and 81 (20.4%) of those were positive., Conclusions: Chlamydia retesting rates remain low with around a sixth of women retested within 2-4months in line with guidelines. Re-infection is common with around one in eight retesting positive. An increase in retesting is required to reduce the risk of reproductive complications and onward transmission.
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
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3. Alcohol availability and prevalent
- Author
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Simone Spark, Jane S Hocking, Alaina Vaisey, Meredith Temple-Smith, Anurika De Silva, and Amie L Bingham
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education.field_of_study ,Chlamydia ,business.industry ,Population ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Odds ratio ,medicine.disease ,medicine.disease_cause ,Logistic regression ,law.invention ,Infectious Diseases ,Condom ,law ,Environmental health ,medicine ,Residence ,business ,Chlamydia trachomatis ,education ,Reproductive health - Abstract
Background Prevalence of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) has been associated with availability of alcohol. This paper investigates potential associations between prevalent cases of chlamydia in young people in Australia and the availability of alcohol within their local area, defined as postcode of residence. Methods Alcohol availability was determined at the postcode level using liquor licensing data, classified as total number of licences, number of ‘take-away’ licences and number of licenses by population. Participant data were drawn from a survey targeting Australians aged 16–29 years in rural and regional Australia, capturing demographic details including postcode of residence, indicators of sexual behaviour including condom use and chlamydia test results. Mixed-effects logistic regression was used to examine potential associations between first, alcohol availability and chlamydia, and second, between condom use and chlamydia. Results We found little evidence of associations between alcohol availability and chlamydia in either unadjusted or adjusted models. After adjusting for alcohol availability, we observed significant associations between inconsistent condom use and chlamydia prevalence, whether alcohol availability was measured as total number (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.20; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20, 3.70), number of take-away licenses (AOR 2.19; 95% CI 1.30, 3.69) or licenses per 1000 population (AOR 2.19; 95% CI 1.30, 3.68). Conclusion Little evidence of association between alcohol availability and chlamydia at the postcode level was found. Further research is required to determine appropriate measures of ‘local area’ and how characteristics thereof may impact on sexual health.
- Published
- 2021
4. Diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease and barriers to conducting pelvic examinations in Australian general practice: findings from an online survey
- Author
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Helen Bittleston, Deborah Bateson, Jill Hunady, Lena Sanci, Jacqueline Coombe, Jane S Hocking, Meredith Temple-Smith, and Jane L Goller
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medicine.medical_specialty ,General Practice ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Pelvic inflammatory disease ,medicine ,Humans ,Vaginal bleeding ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Pelvic examination ,030505 public health ,Chlamydia ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,Obstetrics ,business.industry ,Pelvic pain ,Australia ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Chronic pain ,Odds ratio ,medicine.disease ,Infectious Diseases ,Clinical research ,Female ,Gynecological Examination ,medicine.symptom ,0305 other medical science ,business ,Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - Abstract
Background Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is under-diagnosed globally, particularly in primary care, and if untreated may cause reproductive complications. This paper investigates PID diagnosis by Australian general practitioners (GPs) and barriers to their conducting a pelvic examination. Methods: An online survey investigating Australian GPs’ chlamydia management, including PID diagnosis, was conducted in 2019. From 323 respondents, 85.8% (n = 277) answered multiple-choice questions about PID and 74.6% (n = 241) answered a free-text question about barriers to conducting pelvic examinations. Using multivariable logistic regression, we identified factors associated with conducting pelvic examinations. Barriers to performing pelvic examinations were explored using thematic analysis. Results: Most GPs indicated that they routinely ask female patients with a sexually transmissible infection about PID symptoms, including pelvic pain (86.2%), abnormal vaginal discharge (95.3%), abnormal vaginal bleeding (89.5%), and dyspareunia (79.6%). Over half reported routinely conducting speculum (69.0%) and bimanual pelvic (55.3%) examinations for women reporting pelvic pain. Female GPs were more likely to perform speculum [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.6; 95%CI: 2.6–8.2] and bimanual pelvic examinations (AOR 3.7; 95%CI: 2.1–6.5). GPs with additional sexual health training were more likely to routinely perform speculum (AOR 2.2; 95%CI: 1.1–4.2) and bimanual pelvic examinations (AOR 2.1; 95%CI: 1.2–3.7). Barriers to pelvic examinations were patient unwillingness and/or refusal, GP gender, patient health-related factors, time pressures, and GP reluctance. Conclusion: Although GPs typically ask about PID symptoms when managing patients with chlamydia, they are not consistently able or willing to perform pelvic examinations to support a diagnosis, potentially reducing capacity to diagnose PID.
- Published
- 2021
5. An alternative model of sexually transmissible infection testing in men attending a sex-on-premises venue in Sydney: a cross-sectional descriptive study
- Author
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James Gray, Anna McNulty, Vickie Knight, Cherie Bennett, Gemma Hartmann, and Douglas Knox
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Gerontology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,030505 public health ,Chlamydia ,biology ,business.industry ,Gonorrhea ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,medicine.disease ,biology.organism_classification ,Genital warts ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Infectious Diseases ,Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) ,Family medicine ,Epidemiology ,medicine ,Syphilis ,030212 general & internal medicine ,0305 other medical science ,business ,Thrush ,Reproductive health - Abstract
Background Sydney Sexual Health Centre (SSHC) partnered with a large sex-on-premises venue, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District HIV and Related Programs Unit and AIDS Council of NSW (ACON) to develop and implement a community-based sexually transmissible infection (STI) screening model co-located in a sex-on-premises venue. This paper describes the process, the outcomes and examines the cost of this model. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of gay and bisexual men (GBM) attending a STI testing service co-located in a sex-on-premises venue in Sydney city between the 1 November 2012 and 31 May 2014. Results: A total of 402 patrons had 499 testing episodes in the study period. Testing patrons were a median of 39.5 years of age, 221 (55%) were born overseas, 85 (21%) spoke a language other than English at home and 54 (13%) had a STI at first testing. A total of 105 (26%) testing patrons had never tested for a STI before. Of the 297 (74%) who had been tested before, 83 (21%) had not been tested within the last 12 months. A total of 77 STIs were detected in 63 people over 499 testing episodes, giving a STI positivity rate of 15% in the testing episodes. The prevalence of rectal chlamydia was the highest at 8% followed by pharyngeal gonorrhoea at 3%. A total of 97% of testing patrons were successfully relayed their results via their preferred methods within a median of 7.5 days. Conclusion: This paper highlights that offering STI screening in a community-based setting was an effective and low-cost alternative to traditional testing services.
- Published
- 2016
6. Prevalence of sexually transmissible infections and HIV in men attending sex-on-premises venues in Australia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
- Author
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Catriona Ooi, David A. Lewis, Fabian Y S Kong, and Jane S Hocking
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Adult ,Male ,Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial ,Adolescent ,Cross-sectional study ,Chlamydia trachomatis ,HIV Infections ,medicine.disease_cause ,Men who have sex with men ,Sexual and Gender Minorities ,Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) ,Prevalence ,Medicine ,Humans ,Mass Screening ,Treponema ,Mass screening ,Reproductive health ,Aged ,Aged, 80 and over ,Chlamydia ,business.industry ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Australia ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Neisseria gonorrhoeae ,Infectious Diseases ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Syphilis ,business ,Demography - Abstract
Background In Australia, men who have sex with men (MSM) have high rates sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and sex-on-premises venue (SOPV) patrons are at risk. This paper assesses Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), syphilis and HIV prevalence in men tested at Australian SOPVs and describes testing services. Methods: EMBASE, Medline, PubMed and international conference proceedings were searched for articles reporting on-site SOPV testing between 1 January 2000 and 31 January 2017. Meta-analysis calculated pooled prevalence estimates of STIs by anatomical site. Results: Twelve cross-sectional studies were identified. Most (8/12) were local sexual health clinics (SHC) outreach services. Participants’ mean age was 41.1 years (95% confidence interval (CI) 37.0–43.3; range 17 to 84 years). Testing included CT and NG (9/12), HIV (8/12) and syphilis (5/12). CT and NG prevalence overall summary estimates were 3.4% (95% CI 1.9–5.2%, I2 = 88.7%, P < 0.01) and 1.3% (95% CI 0.7–2.2%, I2 = 75.5%, P < 0.01) respectively. CT and NG prevalence was highest in the ano-rectum and oro-pharynx respectively. The HIV and syphilis pooled estimates were 2.3% (95% CI 1.6–2.9%, I2 = 93.1%, P < 0.01) and 3.2% (95% CI 1.8–4.6%, I2 = 72.8%, P < 0.01) respectively. Participation rate varied. Conclusion: This review examines HIV and STI testing in Australian SOPVs before HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Findings indicate a high prevalence of STIs. PrEP use and resultant condomless sex may influence STI prevalence. Further research is required to determine the effect of PrEP on the STI prevalence among SOPV patrons.
- Published
- 2019
7. Sexual practices, partner concurrency and high rates of sexually transmissible infections among male sex workers in three cities in Vietnam
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Lloyd A. Goldsamt, Gary Yu, Le Minh Giang, and Michael C. Clatts
- Subjects
Sexual partner ,Gynecology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Chlamydia ,business.industry ,Gonorrhea ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,virus diseases ,Human sexuality ,medicine.disease ,Article ,Genital warts ,law.invention ,Infectious Diseases ,Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) ,Condom ,law ,medicine ,business ,Demography ,Reproductive health - Abstract
Background: This paper examines sexual practices, partner concurrency and sexually transmissible infections (STI)/HIV infection among male sex workers (MSWs) in Vietnam. Methods: Six hundred and fifty-four MSWs, aged 16-35 years, were recruited in Hanoi, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City between 2009 and 2011. Survey measures included demographic characteristics, drug use, types of sexual partners and sexual practices. Subjects were screened for STIs, including HIV. Results: MSWs in Ho Chi Minh City (33%) were more likely than those from the other two sites to be current users of one or more types of illegal drugs (P < 0.001). MSWs with both male and female elective partners (compared with other partnership types) were more likely to have anal sex with male client partners (P < 0.001), elective male partners (P = 0.045) and elective female partners (P = 0.025). At last sex with a male client partner, only 30% used a condom during anal intercourse. At last sex with an elective female partner, only 31% used a condom during vaginal sex and only 3% during anal sex. Although rates of HIV are low (4%), other STIs are high, including chlamydia (17%), gonorrhoea (29%) and human papillomavirus (33%). Most (57.3%) have never been tested for HIV and only 17% have ever disclosed to a healthcare provider that they have sex with men.Conclusions: Complex patterns of sexual concurrency, coupled with high rates of STIs, signal the urgent need for health services interventions among MSWs, both to improve individual health outcomes and to reduce secondary STI/HIV transmission among sexual partner networks. Additional keywords: HIV, epidemiological bridging patterns, sexual health.
- Published
- 2014
8. Management of syphilis in HIV-positive individuals
- Author
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Fiona V Cresswell and Martin Fisher
- Subjects
Pediatrics ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Chlamydia ,business.industry ,Gonorrhea ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,medicine.disease ,Genital warts ,Men who have sex with men ,Neurosyphilis ,Regimen ,Infectious Diseases ,Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) ,Immunology ,medicine ,Syphilis ,business - Abstract
Since the turn of the millennium a sustained outbreak of syphilis among men who have sex with men continues, approximately 20–50% of whom have concurrent HIV infection. In this paper we aim to explore the controversies that exist around the management of syphilis in HIV-positive individuals. Not only do HIV-positive people have different clinical manifestations of syphilis they have higher rates of asymptomatic neurological involvement, slower serological response to treatment and higher serological failure than HIV-negative individuals in most studies. Whether long-term clinical outcomes are different or affected by the antibiotic regimen selected remains to be established. The optimal antimicrobial regimen to treat syphilis in HIV is unknown due to a dearth of randomised controlled trial data. International guidelines state that the antibiotic management of syphilis is the same regardless of HIV status, with early syphilis treated with a single dose of benzathine penicillin G 2.4mU intrmuscularly. In practice, however, the majority of surveyed clinicians do treat HIV-positive people with more intensive antibiotics suggesting a lack of faith in guidelines. Factors which appear to affect the likelihood of developing neurological disease include CD4+ count of 1 : 32, late-latent disease or lack of response to standard antibiotic treatment. We recommend a low-threshold for offering antibiotic treatment effective against neurosyphilis in HIV-positive people with syphilis, especially if they exhibit any of the above factors.
- Published
- 2015
9. Managing patients with sexual transmission of drug-resistant HIV
- Author
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Rita Bellagamba, Angela Corpolongo, Valerio Tozzi, and Pasquale Narciso
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Sexual transmission ,Anti-HIV Agents ,Gonorrhea ,HIV Infections ,Drug resistance ,Health Promotion ,Global Health ,Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) ,Internal medicine ,Drug Resistance, Viral ,medicine ,Prevalence ,Humans ,Health Education ,Chlamydia ,business.industry ,Transmission (medicine) ,Health Policy ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Hepatitis C ,medicine.disease ,Primary Prevention ,Infectious Diseases ,Early Diagnosis ,Immunology ,HIV-1 ,Female ,business ,HIV drug resistance - Abstract
The transmission of drug-resistant HIV-1 (primary HIV resistance) is a cause of growing concern. The prevalence of drug-resistant variants in patients with primary HIV-1 infection (PHI) ranges from 10 to 36%. Unlike patients with secondary resistance, patients with primary HIV resistance do not show a rapid conversion to wild-type drug-sensitive virus in the absence of treatment. Moreover, primary HIV-1 resistance is associated with higher rates of treatment failure. Rapid diagnosis is important, since early events in PHI may have a critical role in disease progression. An early diagnosis is also essential to prevent HIV-1 transmission during the high viremic phase of PHI. This review focuses on prevalence, basic principles, diagnostic markers, and approaches for the treatment of PHI due to sexual transmission of drug-resistant HIV-1. The aim of the paper is to help clinicians to deal with patients presenting a PHI due to drug-resistant variants.
- Published
- 2005
10. Chlamydia screening in community pharmacies: a systematic literature review of the characteristics of service users and a meta-analysis of chlamydia prevalence
- Author
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Mufiza Zia Kapadia
- Subjects
Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Gonorrhea ,Chlamydia trachomatis ,Pharmacy ,urologic and male genital diseases ,medicine.disease_cause ,Genital warts ,Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) ,Prevalence ,medicine ,Humans ,Mass Screening ,Mass screening ,Pharmacies ,Gynecology ,Chlamydia ,business.industry ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,medicine.disease ,Infectious Diseases ,Systematic review ,Family medicine ,Lymphogranuloma Venereum ,Female ,business - Abstract
A systematic review was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) infection among those screened in community pharmacies. The uptake of screening and clients’ sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics were also reviewed. Eleven papers contributed to the final review. The proportional meta-analysis showed a chlamydia positivity of 8.1% (95% confidence interval: 7.3%–8.9%). Chlamydia screening programs in community pharmacies tended to be targeted at certain client groups such as those seeking emergency contraception in pharmacies. The pharmacists were reluctant to offer chlamydia screening to potential clients. The uptake of the service was much lower, and tended not to include men and ethnic minorities.
- Published
- 2013
11. Men's attitudes towards chlamydia screening: a narrative review
- Author
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Myles Balfe, Ruairi Brugha, Deirdre Vaughan, Diarmuid O'Donovan, and Emer O'Connell
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Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Patients ,Gonorrhea ,Chlamydia trachomatis ,Urine ,medicine.disease_cause ,Genital warts ,Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) ,medicine ,Humans ,Mass Screening ,Mass screening ,Masculinity ,Gynecology ,Physician-Patient Relations ,Narration ,Chlamydia ,business.industry ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Chlamydia Infections ,Patient Acceptance of Health Care ,medicine.disease ,Infectious Diseases ,Family medicine ,Syphilis ,Men's Health ,business ,Attitude to Health ,Qualitative research - Abstract
Objectives Chlamydia trachomatis is a sexually transmissible infection (STI) that affects significant numbers of men. Research on men’s perspectives on chlamydia screening (or testing) has been limited. We conducted a narrative review to examine: (1) what factors encourage or discourage men from attending health services for chlamydia screening, and/or from accepting screening once it has been offered to them, and (2) where men want chlamydia screening services to be located. Methods: A narrative review of the recent peer-reviewed literature (published between 1999 and 2009) on men’s attitudes towards chlamydia screening. To be included, articles had to explore men’s perspectives on screening (which could be ascertained through quantitative or qualitative studies, or from relevant discussion papers or reviews). Results: Forty-eight articles were included in all. Men’s attitudes towards chlamydia screening are influenced by their knowledge about the infection, their perceived vulnerability to the infection, the degree of embarrassment and shame that they associate with screening and the stigma that they associate with screening. Men prefer to be offered urine testing for chlamydia. Men want to be offered screening by non-judgemental professionals. Men’s attitudes towards screening for chlamydia in general practice, genito-urinary medicine clinics, home and outreach settings are also explored in this review. Conclusions: Several factors influence men’s attitudes towards screening. Two central themes underlie and influence many of these factors: men’s needs to make positive impressions on others, and men’s identification with particular ideals of masculinity. The review concludes with suggestions for future research on this topic.
- Published
- 2012
12. Chlamydia at an inner metropolitan sexual health service in Sydney, NSW: Australian Collaboration for Chlamydia Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance (ACCESS) Project
- Author
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Catherine C O'Connor, Neil Franklin, Marcus Y Chen, Basil Donovan, Andrew E. Grulich, Christopher K Fairley, Rebecca Guy, Lewis Marshall, Margaret Hellard, Miranda Shaw, and Bridget M Dickson
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Adolescent ,Urban Population ,Gonorrhea ,Population ,Chlamydia trachomatis ,medicine.disease_cause ,Ambulatory Care Facilities ,Health Services Accessibility ,Men who have sex with men ,Genital warts ,Young Adult ,Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) ,Risk Factors ,Prevalence ,medicine ,Humans ,education ,Reproductive health ,Gynecology ,education.field_of_study ,Chlamydia ,business.industry ,Australia ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Chlamydia Infections ,medicine.disease ,Infectious Diseases ,Female ,New South Wales ,business ,Sentinel Surveillance ,Demography - Abstract
Background: Australia has a widely dispersed network of public sexual health services that test large numbers of people from high prevalence populations for genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection. These populations include young sexually active heterosexuals, men who have sex with men, sex workers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Australian Collaboration for Chlamydia Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance (ACCESS) Project was established to monitor chlamydia testing rates and positivity rates at a national level, which in turn will help interpret trends in chlamydia diagnoses reported through passive surveillance. The ACCESS Project is the first time that chlamydia-related data including priority population and testing denominators has been collated at a national level. The present paper reports on chlamydia testing and positivity rates in a sexual health service in the inner west of Sydney between 2004 and 2008 and compares these to published national data from the ACCESS Project in sexual health services. Methods: Chlamydia positivity and testing rates at an inner western Sydney sexual health service were compared with aggregate data from the ACCESS Project obtained from 14 sexual health services across Australia. Using a standardised extraction program, retrospective de-identified line-listed demographic and chlamydia testing data on all patients were extracted from patient management systems. Results: Over the 5-year period, 5145 new patients attended the inner-west sexual health service. Almost 66% had a chlamydia test at first visit and there was no significant difference in this testing rate when compared with the ACCESS Project national rate for sexual health services (67.0%; odds ratio [OR] 0.94, 95% confidence intervals 0.88–1.00). The testing rate increased over time from 61% in 2004 to 70% in 2008. There were 281 chlamydia diagnoses at this service, giving an overall chlamydia positivity rate of 9.3%, significantly higher than the ACCESS Project national rate of 8.2% (OR 1.16, 95% confidence intervals 1.02–1.32). Discussion: Testing rates were similar and positivity rates for Chlamydia trachomatis were higher in this sexual health service in Sydney than national trends.
- Published
- 2010
13. 40. AN INCREASE IN HIV CASES REPORTING HETEROSEXUAL EXPOSURE IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA
- Author
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B. G. Combs, Carolien Giele, and P. Van Buynder
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medicine.medical_specialty ,Chlamydia ,biology ,business.industry ,Gonorrhea ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,biology.organism_classification ,medicine.disease ,Men who have sex with men ,Genital warts ,Infectious Diseases ,Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) ,Epidemiology ,Immunology ,Medicine ,Syphilis ,business ,Thrush ,Demography - Abstract
Introduction: In Australia, men who have sex with men (MSM) constitute the majority of newly diagnosed HIV cases. After a decline in the late 1990's, several Australian states have reported increases in HIV mainly attributed to MSM. There has also been an increase in HIV in Western Australia (WA), however recently, a larger proportion have been attributed to people who acquired the infection through heterosexual contact. Objective: This paper describes the epidemiology of HIV in WA from 2000 to 2006, focusing on the increase in cases with heterosexual exposure. Methods: In WA, notification of HIV cases is mandatory for doctors and laboratories. Information collected includes basic demographics and probable exposure. Descriptive analysis was carried out on de-identified HIV notification data from 2000 to 2006. Results: An annual average of 49 HIV cases were notified in 2000-2004. However, in 2005 and 2006, this increased to 64 and 72 cases respectively. The increase was mainly among non-Aboriginal males and females reporting heterosexual contact. The number of non-Aboriginal males who reported heterosexual contact increased from an average of 9 cases in 2000-2004 to an average of 20 cases in 2005-2006. The number of non-Aboriginal female cases reporting heterosexual exposure increased from an average of seven cases in 2000-2004 to 9 and 14 cases notified in 2005 and 2006 respectively. The majority of non-Aboriginal males reporting heterosexual exposure in 2005-2006 acquired their infection overseas (84%). Of these, 71% reported Asia as the place of acquisition. Of the non-Aboriginal females reporting heterosexual exposure in 2005-2006, 52% were acquired overseas. The number of Aboriginal cases remained stable between 2000 and 2006 fluctuating between 2 and 11 cases and continued to be mainly heterosexually acquired within WA. Conclusion: There has been an increase in the number of male and female HIV cases reporting heterosexual exposure in WA. A large proportion reported acquiring their infection overseas highlighting the need to raise awareness among people who travel, work in countries with high rates of HIV.
- Published
- 2007
14. An audit of contact tracing activities and records for chlamydia in an urban sexual health clinic
- Author
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John Chuah, Mary-Louise McLaws, and Natalie Edmiston
- Subjects
Gynecology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Sexual health clinic ,Chlamydia ,biology ,business.industry ,Gonorrhea ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Audit ,medicine.disease ,biology.organism_classification ,Genital warts ,Infectious Diseases ,Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) ,Family medicine ,medicine ,business ,Thrush ,Contact tracing - Abstract
The National Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2005–2008 emphasised the importance of control of chlamydia and recognised contact tracing as an important health tool for this. This paper reports on a recent audit of contact tracing conducted at the Gold Coast Sexual Health Clinic.
- Published
- 2006
15. Sexually transmissible infections among illegal female sex workers in Israel
- Author
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Tal Lazer, Simcha Lazer, Fernanda Press, and Julie Cwikel
- Subjects
Adult ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Gonorrhea ,Population ,Sexually Transmitted Diseases ,urologic and male genital diseases ,Genital warts ,Ureaplasma ,Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) ,Prevalence ,medicine ,Humans ,Israel ,education ,Reproductive health ,Gynecology ,education.field_of_study ,Chi-Square Distribution ,Trichomoniasis ,Chlamydia ,biology ,business.industry ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,virus diseases ,medicine.disease ,biology.organism_classification ,Sex Work ,female genital diseases and pregnancy complications ,Infectious Diseases ,Female ,business ,Demography - Abstract
Due to the mobile and clandestine nature of those who enter a country illegally, female sex workers (FSWs) who are working without papers or work permits often have no access to sexual health care. This study reports on the sexually transmissible infection (STI) prevalence among a sample of 43 sex workers working illegally. Brothel workers from republics of the Former Soviet Union (FSU), working in two locales in Israel were tested for the presence of eight pathogens and the presence of pathology by Pap smear. Of these brothel workers, 48.8% had at least one positive STI result, 14% had two STIs and one woman had three STIs. There were no cases of HIV, gonorrhoea or malignancy detected; high rates of ureaplasma (26.8%) and chlamydia were found (16.7%). Four cases of hepatitis C (9%) and three cases of hepatitis B (7%) and mycoplasma (7%) were detected. There was no relationship between reported symptoms and the detection of STIs. The level of STIs is high among this population of FSWs and it is imperative to develop more accessible health services for these women.
- Published
- 2006
16. Condom use among brothel-based sex workers and clients in Bali, Indonesia
- Author
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Kathleen Ford and Dewa Nyoman Wirawan
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Gerontology ,Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ,Adolescent ,Population ,Gonorrhea ,Psychological intervention ,Sex Education ,law.invention ,Genital warts ,Condoms ,Condom ,Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) ,Risk Factors ,law ,HIV Seropositivity ,medicine ,Humans ,education ,Retrospective Studies ,Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ,education.field_of_study ,Chlamydia ,Unsafe Sex ,biology ,business.industry ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Middle Aged ,biology.organism_classification ,medicine.disease ,Sex Work ,Infectious Diseases ,Indonesia ,Women's Health ,Female ,business ,Thrush ,Demography - Abstract
Background: The objective of this paper is to describe the situation among Indonesian sex workers and clients in Bali, Indonesia, through a series of studies conducted during the 1990s. Methods: Five surveys of sex workers and clients were conducted from 1992 through to 1999. Results: The proportion of female sex workers who have heard about AIDS and condom use has increased tremendously in this area. In 1992–93, 51% of women reported ever hearing of AIDS and this had increased to 97% by 1999 (P < 0.01). Reported condom use with clients increased from 19% in 1992–93 to 78% in 1999 (P < 0.01). However, condom use is still far from 100% and perceived susceptibility towards HIV infection among female sex workers and their male clients remains low. Ineffective preventive strategies such as medication use remain common. HIV infection was very low in this population, although the prevalence of other sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia was very high. Conclusions: Educational interventions have been conducted with the sex workers, but the main source of education for clients has been through the media. Future programs need to develop more focused efforts to reach clients. These interventions may include worksite interventions, mass media campaigns, youth programs or other models.
- Published
- 2005
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