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Publishing on sexual health from the widest perspective
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Sexual Health

Sexual Health

Sexual Health publishes contributions on sexual health from the widest perspectives including HIV/AIDS, STIs, issues of sexuality, and reproductive health. Read more about the journalMore

Editors-in-Chief: Jason Ong and Joseph Tucker

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Sexual Health has moved to a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 27 June 2024

SH23182Time trends in positive gonorrhoea diagnoses at the Christchurch Sexual Health Service (2012–2022): a data audit study

Hayley J. Denison 0000-0003-1727-3745, Julie Creighton, Jeroen Douwes, Maureen Coshall and Heather Young
 

Gonorrhoea incidence is rising, and international studies have found that extragenital gonorrhoea positivity has increased at a faster rate than urogenital positivity among men who have sex with men. Data about extragenital gonorrhoea infection in New Zealand is lacking. Using data from a sexual health service, this study shows that extragenital infection is common, occurs without urogenital infection at high rates, and has increased at a faster rate than urogenital infection among males, highlighting the importance of extragenital sampling.

SH23182 Abstract  |  SH23182 Full Text  | SH23182PDF (210 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 25 June 2024

SH24064Sustaining sexual health programs: practical considerations and lessons from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief

Joseph D. Tucker 0000-0003-2804-1181, Suzanne Day, Ucheoma C. Nwaozuru, Chisom Obiezu-Umeh, Oliver Ezechi, Kelechi Chima, Chibeka Mukuka, Juliet Iwelunmor, Rachel Sturke and Susan Vorkoper
 

Practical tools to enhance the sustainability of sexual health programs are needed. Early planning, strong community engagement, consideration of financing, and multi-sectoral partnerships can all be used to increase sustainability. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief demonstrates several of these lessons in the context of global sexual health programs.

SH24064 Abstract  |  SH24064 Full Text  | SH24064PDF (211 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 04 June 2024

SH23192Improving preparedness for introducing and scaling up long-acting HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in Asia

Benjamin R. Bavinton 0000-0001-5834-8278, Heather-Marie A. Schmidt, Stephen Mills and Nittaya Phanuphak 0000-0002-0036-3165
 

In June 2023, a roundtable of experts and stakeholders was held in Singapore focusing on the introduction of long-acting formulations of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis in Asia, particularly long-acting injectable cabotegravir. This paper describes issues discussed at the roundtable related to preparedness in research and implementation science, product licensing and accessibility, and capacity readiness for scale-up of long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis and future pre-exposure prophylaxis products.

SH23192 Abstract  |  SH23192 Full Text  | SH23192PDF (167 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 04 June 2024

SH24033What young women (aged 24–29 years) in Australia think about self-collection for cervical screening: a brief report

Claire M. Zammit 0000-0002-3199-6715, Alexandra Brooks, Julia M. L. Brotherton 0000-0002-2304-3105 and Claire E. Nightingale 0000-0002-4103-6240
 

Now available for the first time to young women and people with a cervix (aged 25–29 years), self-collection cervical screening is a safe, accurate and easy method to complete regular cervical screening without the use of a speculum. However, the best ways to communicate and promote self-collection to this age group has not been researched. This is important, because self-collection creates a positive screening experience, and will encourage young people to continue screening throughout their life, ultimately preventing cervical cancer.

SH24033 Abstract  |  SH24033 Full Text  | SH24033PDF (178 KB)  | SH24033Supplementary Material (1.2 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 27 May 2024

SH240172023 Undetectable = Untransmittable global policy roundtable report: a multistakeholder perspective on Undetectable = Untransmittable research and policy priorities

N. Wells 0000-0002-2827-8480, B. Richman, D. Grace 0000-0002-9032-3959, B. Riley, C. Hui 0000-0002-6569-7422, L. Vojnov, L. Stackpool-Moore, J. J. Ong 0000-0001-5784-7403, A. Dowell-Day and B. Allan
 

The ‘Undetectable = Untransmittable’ (U=U) campaign aims to empower people living with HIV. Key priorities for U=U policy and research were the focus of a half-day global roundtable held alongside the 2023 International AIDS Society conference. There is a need to include all priority populations in U=U policy and promotion. Adopting language of ‘zero risk’, was identified as crucial when describing U=U. Addressing structural barriers to HIV care is vital to ensure the full benefits of U=U are realised.

SH24017 Abstract  |  SH24017 Full Text  | SH24017PDF (215 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 21 May 2024

SH24019Interventions aimed at increasing syphilis screening among non-pregnant individuals in healthcare settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Leah Moncrieff 0009-0006-7671-6808, Morgan O’Reilly, Leanne Hall and Clare Heal
 

Syphilis, a pressing public health issue with severe potential complications, demands increased targeted screening interventions, especially among high-risk populations. This review examines a range of approaches, revealing technology-driven methods and linked syphilis screening with HIV monitoring particularly promising. Implementing successful, feasible and cost-effective interventions has the potential to enhance syphilis detection leading to prompt treatment, better patient outcomes and reduced community transmission.

SH24019 Abstract  |  SH24019 Full Text  | SH24019PDF (763 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 20 May 2024

SH23211Early sexual experiences of adolescent men who have sex with men

Chen Wang 0009-0004-2699-0660, Christopher K. Fairley 0000-0001-9081-1664, Rebecca Wigan, Suzanne M. Garland, Catriona S. Bradshaw, Marcus Y. Chen and Eric P. F. Chow 0000-0003-1766-0657
 

This study documents adolescent men who have sex with men aged between 16 and 20 years and assesses the magnitude of change in sexual practice and trajectory in this population. Compared to an earlier study cohort, the median age at first sex was slightly increased in this cohort and there was a small delay in first-sex activity. This study elicits evidence of changes in sexual practice which could translate into targeted sexually transmitted infections prevention strategies.

SH23211 Abstract  |  SH23211 Full Text  | SH23211PDF (657 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 20 May 2024

SH24025Adolescents’ pornography viewing frequency and its relationship with condom attitudes

Emily F. Galper 0000-0002-7986-1107, Laura Widman 0000-0001-8117-5467, Julia Brasileiro 0000-0001-6936-6965 and Seth M. Noar 0000-0002-3453-5391
 

Engaging in a critical exploration of adolescent behaviour, this study delves into the relationship between pornography viewing frequency and condom attitudes. Investigating 457 adolescents aged 13–18 years old, we found that those who viewed pornography more frequently exhibited more negative attitudes towards condoms. Notably, irrespective of age, gender, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or sexual activity status, this relationship persisted, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and experimental studies to enhance pornography literacy among adolescents.

SH24025 Abstract  | PDF (229 KB) - $35.00   | SH24025Supplementary Material (540 KB)
Published online 20 May 2024

SH24022Barriers to sexual health care for sexually diverse Muslim men: a scoping review

Muhammad Naveed Noor 0000-0002-7847-6637, Souradet Shaw, Janice Linton and Robert Lorway
 

We provide a synthesis of research on access to sexual health care to sexually diverse Muslim men. Our results showed that a range of intersecting individual, interpersonal, healthcare system-related, and structural factors collectively work to produce contexts where it becomes difficult for sexually diverse Muslim men to access sexual healthcare services. Intensive research and advocacy efforts are required to improve sexually diverse Muslim men’s access to sexual health care, for countries to achieve HIV prevention goals.

SH24022 Abstract  |  SH24022 Full Text  | SH24022PDF (583 KB)  | SH24022Supplementary Material (1.3 MB)

Published online 14 May 2024

SH23197Adapting an artificial intelligence sexually transmitted diseases symptom checker tool for Mpox detection: the HeHealth experience

Rayner Kay Jin Tan 0000-0002-9188-3368, Dilruk Perera, Salomi Arasaratnam 0009-0002-7180-7322 and Yudara Kularathne
 

Prior to the global Monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak, we developed a smartphone app (HeHealth) where users can take pictures of their penises with a smartphone to screen for symptomatic sexually transmitted diseases. We further developed the Mpox tool that involved formative research, stakeholder engagement, rapid consolidation of Mpox images, a validation study, and implementation. Artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches can be initiated by smaller datasets and refined along the way, which is important in the event of global pandemics or outbreaks.

SH23197 Abstract  |  SH23197 Full Text  | SH23197PDF (907 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 14 May 2024

SH24026Analysis of pelvic floor muscle electromyography parameters in women with or without sexual dysfunction

Chunyan Wang 0009-0004-9725-8928, Yan Che, Yumei Zhang, Tingfeng Guan, Jie Wang and Xinying Du 0009-0000-2194-2409
 

Female sexual dysfunction brings great trouble to women. Evidence suggests that women with greater pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength have better sexual function. Sexually active women have better PFM endurance than inactive women. However, it has also been reported that PFM strength is not correlated with sexual function. Here, we assessed female PFM function with electromyography, and explored the relationships between electromyography parameters and sexual dysfunction, in an attempt to provide an objective basis for sexual dysfunction diagnosis and treatment.

SH24026 Abstract  |  SH24026 Full Text  | SH24026PDF (199 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 13 May 2024

SH23176The impact of socio-environmental factors on doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis awareness in the US: a cross-sectional study

Krishen D. Samuel, Matthew S. Ellis and Mance E. Buttram 0000-0002-5001-7391
 

Bacterial STIs are on the rise in the US. Although people assigned male at birth can benefit from taking an antibiotic soon after sex (doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis) to prevent STIs, we found that only one-quarter of participants surveyed were aware of doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis; those living in places with LGBTQ inequality were less likely to be aware. Increased awareness of new prevention approaches among those most at risk is crucial to increased uptake.

SH23176 Abstract  | PDF (187 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 06 May 2024

SH23185Turkish women’s perception of low sexual desire, its causes and consequences: an online qualitative survey

Sinan Tetik 0000-0002-0535-4313 and Özden Yalçinkaya Alkar 0000-0001-8484-9199
 

Our research indicates that women’s sexual desire is frequently ignored and suppressed, which can have negative consequences when not expressed within socially acceptable contexts. The causes and solutions for decreased desire in women extend beyond individual factors, and encompass relational and social influences. Sexual desire plays a crucial role in motivating sexual behaviour, and as such, it should be incorporated into health education, health promotion and public health policies.

SH23185 Abstract  | PDF (547 KB) - $35.00   | SH23185Supplementary Material (692 KB)
Published online 29 April 2024

SH23194Client and staff perceptions of acceptability of MyCheck: a direct-to-pathology telehealth and e-testing service for comprehensive bloodborne virus and sexually transmissible infection screening

Lise Lafferty 0000-0002-8533-2957, Clinton Rautenbach, Anna McNulty 0000-0003-3174-1242, Nathan Ryder 0000-0002-2050-0155, Carolyn Slattery, Rebecca Houghton, Aurelie Kenigsberg, Carolyn Murray, Nigel Carrington and Prital Patel
 

Sydney Sexual Health Centre (SSHC) piloted MyCheck, a direct-to-pathology pathway that facilitated bloodborne virus/sexually transmissible infection testing at participating pathology collection centres located across New South Wales. This qualitative study sought to understand perspectives of acceptability of the MyCheck intervention among SSHC clients and providers’. The MyCheck intervention was perceived by both SSHC clients and staff as an acceptable bloodborne virus/sexually transmissible infection testing pathway. However, further work is required to address stigma experienced by some clients when attending pathology collection centres.

SH23194 Abstract  |  SH23194 Full Text  | SH23194PDF (213 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 29 April 2024

SH24028The use of suboptimal antiretroviral therapy when applying for migration to Australia: a case series

Daniel Tran 0009-0002-3525-3211, Brent Allan, Alexandra Stratigos, Darryl O’Donnell, Dash Heath-Paynter, Aaron Cogle and Jason J. Ong 0000-0001-5784-7403
 

Even in the modern day, people living with HIV (PLHIV) are often subjected to poorer physical and mental health outcomes. Such health outcomes were identified in this case series, whereby six patients were noted to be experiencing significant stress, anxiety and medication side effects from electing to receive cheap, suboptimal HIV treatments to remain below Australian visa medical cost thresholds. These findings reinforce the need to review Australian migration laws which currently discriminate against PLHIV.

SH24028 Abstract  |  SH24028 Full Text  | SH24028PDF (199 KB)   Open Access Article

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

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Collections

Emerging Sexual and Reproductive Health in Australia and New Zealand: Gaps, Challenges and Solutions

We are pleased to present this Collection on emerging topics in sexual and reproductive health in Australia and New Zealand. This collection of research articles underscores the pressing significance of addressing sexual and reproductive health matters, inviting an in-depth examination of challenges, solutions, and innovative approaches.

Collection Editors
Tiffany Phillips, Eric Chow and Jacqueline Coombe

Last Updated: 14 Sep 2023

STIs in MSM - long and the short of it

This Collection includes papers on rising rates of specific STIs in MSM, possible explanations for the rises, ways to improve surveillance and ways to prevent STIs. It also highlights a number of key papers relating to HPV-associated malignancies and potential approaches to reducing these. Fortunately for young MSM, at least Australia’s national childhood HPV vaccination program will prevent virtually all HPV-related malignancies.

Last Updated: 14 Jun 2017

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