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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 is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 23 January 2025

SH24142Health provider perspectives on establishing service linkages for treatment and follow-up from an Australian, web-based STI testing service: a qualitative study

Teralynn Ludwick 0000-0003-4160-7354, Olivia Walsh 0009-0005-9339-7485, Ethan T. Cardwell, Christopher K. Fairley 0000-0001-9081-1664, Jane Tomnay, Jane S. Hocking 0000-0001-9329-8501 and Fabian Y. S. Kong 0000-0002-9349-3080
 

For individuals who test positive using web-based, sexually transmitted infection testing services, getting treatment can be challenging. Our study found that primary care providers in outer metro and regional Victoria were willing to treat individuals who used web-based services, but raised concerns about administering online prescriptions and lack of injectable antibiotics available on-site at clinics for free, same-day treatment. Capacity-building and additional resourcing of local, partner clinics may be needed to enable effective, client-centered referrals from online to in-person sexual health services.

SH24142 Abstract  |  SH24142 Full Text  | SH24142PDF (261 KB)  | SH24142Supplementary Material (286 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 16 January 2025

SH24199Higher female partner age and longer duration of marriage: key factors for less frequent sexual intercourse in infertile couples

Mohadese Dashtkoohi 0000-0003-3579-4181, Mostafa Saeedinia, Mohammad Dashtkoohi, Mohammad Haddadi, Masoumeh Masoumi and Zohreh Heidary
 

Understanding the factors influencing sexual frequency among infertile couples is essential for supporting their journey towards parenthood. This study examined the sexual behavior of couples undergoing fertility treatment. Our results indicate that younger women and couples with shorter durations of marriage tend to engage in sexual intercourse more frequently. These findings underscore the importance of providing targeted support programs to this demographic, aiming to optimize their chances of conception and promote their overall well-being.

SH24199 Abstract  | PDF (185 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 09 January 2025

SH24184Young people’s preferences and motivations for STI partner notification: observational findings from the 2024 Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll survey

Stephanie C. Munari 0000-0002-2296-7787, Jane L. Goller 0000-0001-5580-360X, Jacqueline Coombe 0000-0002-9520-5724, Ana Orozco 0009-0002-6325-713X, Sarah Eddy 0000-0001-6690-1918, Jane Hocking 0000-0001-9329-8501, Margaret Hellard and Megan S. C. Lim 0000-0003-3136-6761
 

Understanding young people’s preferences and motivations for partner notification can help to reduce the risks of STIs. Our survey of young people aged 15–29 years in Victoria, Australia, found that most want to notify and be notified by partners, regardless of age, gender or sexual identity, and prefer to notify regular partners face-to-face and casual partners via text message. Tailoring resources by communication method and partner type can support young people in undertaking this important step in STI control.

SH24184 Abstract  |  SH24184 Full Text  | SH24184PDF (303 KB)  | SH24184Supplementary Material (1.2 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 19 December 2024

SH23085High interest for long-acting injectable PrEP among men who have sex with men at most risk for HIV in San Francisco, 2021

Christopher J. Hernandez 0000-0002-6478-7856, Caitlin M. Turner, Dillon Trujillo, Moranda Tate, Jerry Quintana, Glenda Baguso, Katherine C. McNaughton, Sean Arayasirikul, Willi McFarland and Erin C. Wilson
 

Men who have sex with men bear the bulk of new HIV infections in the United States. Interventions such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medication that prevents HIV when taken as directed, have reduced HIV infections greatly; however, there are gaps in protection. New tools such as a long-acting injectable form of PrEP can promote further drops in HIV incidence. In this study, we investigate who might be interested in transitioning to this new modality.

SH23085 Abstract  | PDF (267 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 17 December 2024

SH24103Sexual satisfaction among people living with HIV in the era of biomedical prevention: enduring impacts of HIV-related stigma?

Thomas Norman 0000-0002-4773-4285, Adam Bourne, Jack Thepsourinthone, Dean Murphy, John Rule, G. J. Melendez-Torres and Jennifer Power 0000-0002-6566-3214
 

For people living with HIV (PLHIV), sexual satisfaction can be challenging because of stigma, discrimination, or fears surrounding onward transmission. This article investigates sexual satisfaction among PLHIV, demonstrating high levels of sexual dissatisfaction associated with avoiding sex due to HIV status, concerns about drug use, older age, and poor self-reported health. These findings highlight that supporting PLHIV extends beyond biomedical considerations (e.g. HIV treatment), demanding a holistic approach that tackles stigma and other health concerns.

SH24103 Abstract  |  SH24103 Full Text  | SH24103PDF (398 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 17 December 2024

SH24211Higher identity resilience – self-efficacy is associated with sexual risk behaviours in gay men

Rusi Jaspal 0000-0002-8463-9519 and Asrin Yenihayat
 

Understanding the relationship between psychological constructs, such as self-efficacy, and sexual risk-taking behaviours is key. This study examines associations between identity resilience – self-efficacy and frequency of both condomless sexual encounters and drug use in sexualised settings in a sample of heterosexual and gay men. Higher identity resilience – self-efficacy was found to be associated with greater sexual risk-taking behaviours in gay men only.

SH24211 Abstract  | PDF (169 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 16 December 2024

SH24016Sexual dissatisfaction and its association with health status among older adults in China: a nationwide study

Yiwen Diao 0009-0009-5211-2382, Yan Sun, Joseph D. Tucker 0000-0003-2804-1181 and Fan Yang
 

More than one in five Chinese adults aged 50 years or older might face sexual dissatisfaction, and compared with men, women are more likely to experience sexual dissatisfaction. Sexual dissatisfaction was linked to poor health status, such as depressive symptoms and comorbidities of common chronic diseases. Sexual satisfaction, a corner stone of sexual health, warrants scholarly and medical attention, especially for older adults and women, to ensure health longevity.

This article belongs to the collection: Sexual health among older adults: A multi-disciplinary collection.

SH24016 Abstract  |  SH24016 Full Text  | SH24016PDF (427 KB)   Open Access Article

Published online 12 December 2024

SH24173Comparing the impact of sexualised drug use with and without chemsex on sexual behaviours among men who have sex with men in China: a national multi-site cross-sectional study

Jiajun Sun 0000-0001-5529-6660, Bingyang She, Phyu M. Latt, Jason J. Ong 0000-0001-5784-7403, Xianglong Xu, Yining Bao, Christopher K. Fairley 0000-0001-9081-1664, Lin Zhang, Weiming Tang 0000-0002-9026-707X and Lei Zhang 0000-0003-2343-084X
 

This study examined how drug use during sex affects sexual behaviours among men who have sex with men in China. Through a nationwide survey of 796 participants, we found that men who used specific psychoactive drugs during sex (chemsex) showed different patterns compared to other groups. They reported more sexual partners, engaged in a wider variety of sexual activities, and showed distinct patterns of sequential sexual behaviours. These findings help identify risks and inform targeted health interventions.

SH24173 Abstract  |  SH24173 Full Text  | SH24173PDF (684 KB)  | SH24173Supplementary Material (2.5 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 09 December 2024

SH24112Preferences for the delivery of early abortion services in Australia: a discrete choice experiment

Jody Church 0000-0001-9584-8431, Marion Haas, Deborah J. Street, Deborah Bateson 0000-0003-1035-7110 and Danielle Mazza
 

There is limited understanding of the preferences of the general public for the provision of early abortion services, including surgical and early medical abortion. Discrete choice experiments are an ideal means to investigate the preferences for abortion services in Australia. There is a pressing need for increased education and awareness regarding the types of abortion services available and the range of healthcare providers capable of delivering safe and effective abortion services.

SH24112 Abstract  |  SH24112 Full Text  | SH24112PDF (315 KB)  | SH24112Supplementary Material (1.6 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 05 December 2024

SH23149Co-creation and community engagement in implementation research with vulnerable populations: a co-creation process in China

Liyuan Zhang, Katherine T. Li, Tong Wang, Danyang Luo, Rayner K. J. Tan, Gifty Marley, Weiming Tang 0000-0002-9026-707X, Rohit Ramaswamy, Joseph D. Tucker 0000-0003-2804-1181 and Dan Wu 0000-0003-0415-5467
 

Co-creation is a community engagement methodology that aims to create a shared leadership role of program beneficiaries in the development and implementation of programs. We conducted a co-creation process to develop a community-engaged implementation strategy to enhance service uptake among a sexual minority sub-population in China. This paper describes the co-creation process and may help inform future co-creation practices in generating contextually appropriate public health solutions.

SH23149 Abstract  |  SH23149 Full Text  | SH23149PDF (4.1 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 05 December 2024

SH24166The association between antimicrobial resistance mutations and treatment outcomes for Mycoplasma genitalium infections from 2018 to 2022: a cross-sectional study from Auckland, New Zealand

Shivani Fox-Lewis, Rose Forster 0000-0002-6369-2337, Indira Basu, Matthew Blakiston and Gary McAuliffe
 

New Zealand has high rates of antimicrobial resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium. We correlated treatment outcomes with resistance markers and found excellent outcomes for macrolide-sensitive infections, or those without parC mutations, with first-line resistance-guided therapies. There were lower cure rates for infections with both macrolide and parC mutations, offering opportunities to refine management of M. genitalium infections.

SH24166 Abstract  | PDF (227 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 02 December 2024

SH24101Comparison of IgG serum antibodies, electronic health records and self-report in estimating past infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in a cohort of men who have sex with men

Mary Bridget Waters 0000-0001-5624-5443, Lindley A. Barbee 0000-0002-7189-5492, Kevin Hybiske, Katherine Newman, Ren Ikeda, Angela LeClair, Matthew R. Golden, Olusegun O. Soge, Lisa E. Manhart and Christine M. Khosropour
 

The best method for measuring a history of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections is unknown. We examined the reliability of three methods as markers of past CT infections: IgG serum antibodies, the electronic health record (EHR) and self-report. Self-report may be more reliable than the EHR when determining past CT infections in some contexts, whereas serum antibodies measured using newer seroassays can capture asymptomatic and/or undiagnosed infections.

SH24101 Abstract  | PDF (204 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 21 November 2024

SH24143Community-engaged strategies to improve sexual health services for adults aged 45 and above in the United Kingdom: a qualitative data analysis

Michel Nunez, Yoshiko Sakuma 0009-0004-3751-0837, Hayley Conyers 0000-0002-2059-0402, Suzanne Day, Fern Terris-Prestholt, Jason J. Ong 0000-0001-5784-7403, Stephen W. Pan, Tom Shakespeare, Joseph D. Tucker 0000-0003-2804-1181, Eneyi E. Kpokiri 0000-0003-1180-1439 and Dan Wu 0000-0003-0415-5467
 

Sexual health research and community engagement projects often focus on youth and neglect middle-aged and older adults. This research demonstrates that crowdsourcing open calls and co-creation activities focused on sexual health are feasible among middle-aged and older adults, including those with disabilities. Key findings from this study suggest that improving sexual health services for middle-aged and older adults must be addressed at various levels of healthcare service delivery.

This article belongs to the collection: Sexual health among older adults: A multi-disciplinary collection.

SH24143 Abstract  |  SH24143 Full Text  | SH24143PDF (866 KB)  | SH24143Supplementary Material (26.4 MB)   Open Access Article

Published online 21 November 2024

SH24094Relationship status and sexual health service engagement among young people in the United Kingdom: a cross-sectional survey study

Jack Large, Selma Vieira, Cora Sargeant, Clare Scholfield and Heather L. Armstrong 0000-0002-1071-8644
 

Sexual health service engagement among young people is important and needs may vary depending on relationship status. We explored use of five different sexual health services and found that, in general, engagement was low and those in relationships were more likely to have used services for free condoms, to start the pill, and for pregnancy testing. Healthcare and relationship and sexual education providers should encourage all young people to engage with sexual health services, whatever their relationship status.

SH24094 Abstract  | PDF (223 KB) - $35.00 
Published online 12 November 2024

SH23195Perceptions, experiences and concerns with sexually transmitted infections among current and former PrEP users: a longitudinal qualitative study of gay, bisexual and queer men in Canada

Emerich Daroya 0000-0003-2024-4240, Alex Wells, Mark Gaspar, Jad Sinno, Mark Hull, Nathan J. Lachowsky, Darrell H. S. Tan and Daniel Grace 0000-0002-9032-3959
 

PrEP has been attributed to increased rates of STIs due to condomless anal sex, but little is known about how gay, bisexual and queer men (GBQM) perceive PrEP and STIs and how these perceptions influence sexual behaviours. This study is the first longitudinal qualitative research that explores the experiences and attitudes of GBQM using PrEP in Canada. Understanding GBQM’s perspectives can inform the development of more effective strategies to promote safer sexual practices and mitigate the spread of STIs within and beyond GBQM communities.

SH23195 Abstract  |  SH23195 Full Text  | SH23195PDF (276 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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The Most Read ranking is based on the number of downloads in the last 60 days from papers published on the CSIRO PUBLISHING website within the last 12 months. Usage statistics are updated daily.

Collections

Collections are a curation of articles relevant to a topical research area

Sexual health among older adults: A multi-disciplinary collection

Older adults (people 60 years and older) are often neglected in sexual health research, programs, and services. This special collection addresses this gap in the literature, drawing on a wide range of perspectives.

Collection Editors
Lianne Gonsalves (World Health Organization)
Dan Wu (Nanjing Medical University)
Eneyi Kpokiri (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)
Titilola Gbaja-Biamila (Washington University in St Louis)
Huachun Zou (Fudan University)
Reena Rajasuriar (University Malaya Medical Centre)
Maggie L. Syme (Mass General Brigham)

Last Updated: 21 Nov 2024

Hidden gems in Sexual Health: the use of technology to improve the control of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections

This Collection highlights some recent publications in Sexual Health on using technology to optimise sexual health. By leveraging innovations such as rapid diagnostic tools, mobile health (mHealth), self-testing and artificial-intelligence-powered tools, we can empower individuals to take control of their sexual health, reducing risks and enhancing accessibility.

All papers in this collection are free to read for three months, from 13 September 2024.

Collection Editors
Jason Ong and Joseph Tucker

Last Updated: 13 Sep 2024

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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