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Sexual Health Sexual Health Society
Publishing on sexual health from the widest perspective

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 17 September 2024

SH23112Sex work, syndemic conditions and condomless anal intercourse among men who have sex with men who engage in sex work in Latin America

Ibrahim Sönmez 0000-0001-8941-0468, Nicolas Lorente 0000-0002-5320-1493, Jocelyn Mesías-Gazmuri, Axel J. Schmidt, Kai J. Jonas, Valeria Stuardo Avila, Ulrich Marcus, Maria Amelia Veras, Jordi Casabona Barbarà and Cinta Folch
 

Men who engage in sex work are disproportionately affected by conditions that worsen their sexual health. We sought to investigate how certain conditions influence having many non-steady condomless sex partners, and we found that polydrug use, homophobic abuse and alcohol dependency are important conditions that may worsen the sexual health of male sex workers. There is an interplay between contextual and behavioural factors that impact prevention efforts, and this needs to be considered for the global health of men who sell sex.

Published online 17 September 2024

SH24130Exploring midwives’ training needs and preferences for providing sexual health education for pregnant women: a mixed-methods study

Xiaolan Xie, Jie Li, Xiaojiao Wang, Surui Liang, Xiuming Zhong and Wenzhi Cai 0000-0002-2354-5199
 

Midwives play a crucial part in providing comprehensive care for pregnant women, yet many feel unprepared to address sexual health issues. Our study reveals that the majority of midwives in Guangdong Province are eager for more training in sexual health education, with a strong preference for online courses. Enhancing midwives’ knowledge in this area can significantly improve the quality of care and support for pregnant women, ensuring their overall wellbeing.

Aging women living with HIV are significantly affected by menopause and age-related comorbidities, yet international and Australian clinical guidance is scarce. Our study identified gaps in the clinical care for women living with HIV. Consequently, our service has implemented a clinical reference tool for women living with HIV, with sections dedicated to reproductive health, menopause symptoms, and psychological wellbeing. We argue that Australian clinicial guidelines should include comprehensive management of women living with HIV.

Published online 13 September 2024

SH24174Digital technology and self-care in sexual health

Jason J. Ong 0000-0001-5784-7403 and Joseph D. Tucker 0000-0003-2804-1181
 

This Editorial highlights recent publications included in a new Collection for 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.

Our analysis, framed through a minority stress model, reveals distal and proximal stressors relating to living with HIV. Participants had experienced or were aware of institutionalised discrimination towards people living with HIV (PLHIV) across various aspects of their lives. Participants highlighted the role of anticipated stigma and the stress of concealment. An anti-discrimination framework, enforceable by law, on the institutional treatment of PLHIV would address unpredictability, address the manifold unknowns surrounding discriminatory experiences and improve their quality of life.

Published online 09 September 2024

SH24087Where would young people using an online STI testing service want to be treated? A survey of young Australians

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

With rising STI rates and increased use of online STI testing services by young people, there is a need to strengthen treatment pathways from online services. This survey explored young Australians’ preferences for where to receive injectable antibiotics after receiving a positive result online for gonorrhoea or syphilis. Young people’s service preferences differed by sociodemographic characteristics, suggesting a need for multiple service offerings with an emphasis on convenience, affordability and creating a safe space.

Published online 29 August 2024

SH23190Sexual mixing in bisexual activity in male–male partnerships in Melbourne, Australia

Hayden A. Griffiths 0009-0003-0434-5129, Christopher K. Fairley 0000-0001-9081-1664, Jason J. Ong 0000-0001-5784-7403, Eric P. F. Chow 0000-0003-1766-0657 and Tiffany R. Phillips 0000-0001-6920-7710
 

This retrospective data analysis included 2056 male–male partnerships attending an urban sexual health clinic in Melbourne. We found that one in 20 male–male partnerships had at least one man who had both same-sex and opposite-sex partners within the preceding year. There is no assortative relationship in sexual mixing by bisexuality, suggesting bisexual men do not specifically choose other bisexual men as their sexual partners.

Published online 29 August 2024

SH24098Social-ecological factors associated with trajectories of adolescent sexual and reproductive health stigma: longitudinal cohort findings with urban refugee youth in Kampala

Carmen H. Logie 0000-0002-8035-433X, Moses Okumu 0000-0003-2555-3077, Frannie MacKenzie 0000-0002-3517-8330, Daniel Kibuuka-Musoke 0000-0002-2793-1580, Robert Hakiza 0000-0001-7857-9436, Brenda Katisi 0000-0002-2775-9565, Aidah Nakitende 0000-0002-2587-8528, Lawrence Mbuagbaw 0000-0001-5855-5461, Peter Kyambadde 0000-0002-9606-218X and Zerihun Admassu 0000-0002-1670-8949
 

Adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) stigma targets youth who are sexually active, parenting and/or seeking SRH services, and presents barriers to accessing SRH services. We examined trajectories of adolescent SRH stigma over 2 years among urban refugee youth in Uganda. We found two trajectories of adolescent SRH stigma – consistently high and sustained low – and unemployment, having children, recent multiple sex partners, higher depression and living in Uganda longer were associated with the consistently high adolescent SRH stigma trajectory.

Published online 27 August 2024

SH24097Development and acceptability of a digital tool for promoting syphilis testing in Australian general practice: qualitative study using the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability

Barbara Hunter, Jane S. Hocking 0000-0001-9329-8501, Jo-Anne Manski-Nankervis, Jun Jung 0000-0003-1041-9588, Rebecca Wigan, Marcus Y. Chen, Douglas Boyle, Christine Chidgey, Heather O’Donnell and Jane L. Goller 0000-0001-5580-360X
 

Syphilis infection and congenital syphilis has increased substantially in Australia. Timely diagnosis and management can reduce transmission and complications. We developed and implemented a digital tool to promote syphilis testing in general practice, finding it was acceptable to clinicians and alerted some to updated guidelines who expanded their sexually transmissible infection testing practices to routinely include syphilis.

Published online 19 August 2024

SH24083Associations between antibacterial mouthwash use with sexual behaviours and sexually transmitted infections among Chinese men who have sex with men: a cross-sectional study

Yawu Hu 0009-0005-8066-1814, Rui Zhao 0000-0002-1257-9617, Gaixia Li, Yi Liu, Fang Lu, Bingyang She, Min Zhao 0000-0002-2997-2431 and Lei Zhang 0000-0003-2343-084X
 

Mouthwash is a commonly used product with the potential to prevent the transmission of STIs. Our results found that frequent mouthwash use was associated with lower chlamydia prevalence, lower condom use and more sexual partners, suggesting potential STIs prevention among men who have sex with men. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and clarify the underlying mechanisms.

Published online 15 August 2024

SH24056Global, regional, and national burdens of HIV/AIDS acquired through sexual transmission 1990–2019: an observational study

Xinsheng Wu, Xinyi Zhou, Yuanyi Chen, Yi-Fan Lin, Yuwei Li, Leiwen Fu, Qi Liu and Huachun Zou 0000-0002-8161-7576
 

HIV/AIDS acquired through sexual transmission remains a major contributor to global burden of health. We used the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 to estimate the global burden of HIV/AIDS acquired through sexual transmission in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2019, and we found it accounted for ~695.8 thousand deaths and 36.4 million disability-adjusted life years in 2019. Efforts should be made to improve access to education and contraceptives in high-risk regions.

Published online 13 August 2024

SH24006Key findings from the 2023 ‘ACT NOW on Global HIV Migration, Mobility and Health Equity’ community forum

N. Wells 0000-0002-2827-8480, J. J. Ong 0000-0001-5784-7403, L. Stackpool-Moore, Melissa Warner, D. J. Carter, R. McGoldrick, A. Wlodek, B. Riley, J. Holland, D. Heath-Paynter, A. Stratigos, E. Murphy, D. Haerry, M. Parczewski, M. Poonkasetwattana, N. Medland 0000-0003-0403-8930, S. Wade and B. Allan
 

People living with HIV experience laws and policies that negatively impact their potential for travel and migration. We report on key themes from a half-day community forum held as part of the 2023 12th International AIDS Society Conference in Brisbane, Australia. Recommendations are made to remove unfair migration policies that contribute to HIV-related stigma, and an update to migration policies to reflect the current context and cost of biomedical approaches to HIV management and prevention.

Published online 29 July 2024

SH24105Patient-delivered partner therapy for chlamydia: health practitioner views on updated guidance in Victoria, Australia

Chloe Warda 0009-0008-1571-8767, Helen Bittleston 0000-0002-5768-3223, Jacqueline Coombe 0000-0002-9520-5724, Heather O’Donnell, Jane S. Hocking 0000-0001-9329-8501 and Jane L. Goller 0000-0001-5580-360X
 

Patient-delivered partner therapy (PDPT) involves providing a prescription or medication to a patient with chlamydia to pass to their sexual partner/s, but clinicians have expressed uncertainty about its permissibility and integration into practice. We surveyed clinician perspectives on updated health authority guidance for PDPT; finding they largely viewed it as supportive for PDPT decision-making and addressed some practical barriers. Low awareness of the updated guidance, and medico-legal concerns, for some, highlight scope for further dissemination and clarification of PDPT permissibility.

Published online 25 July 2024

SH24058The impact of Chatbot-Assisted Self Assessment (CASA) on intentions for sexual health screening in people from minoritised ethnic groups at risk of sexually transmitted infections

Tom Nadarzynski 0000-0001-7010-5308, Nicky Knights, Deborah Husbands, Cynthia A. Graham, Carrie D. Llewellyn, Tom Buchanan, Ian Montgomery, Nuha Khlafa, Jana Tichackova, Riliwan Odeyemi, Samantha Johnson, Neomi Jesuthas, Syeda Tahia 0009-0002-9656-905X and Damien Ridge 0000-0001-9245-5958
 

Health disparities remain a pressing issue globally, and Chatbot-Assisted Self Assessment (CASA) may enhance sexual health screening intentions among minoritised ethnic groups at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This innovative study reveals that CASA significantly boosts screening intentions, alleviates concerns about STIs, and fosters positive attitudes towards sexual health screening. Importantly, these findings underscore the potential of artificial intelligence to bridge gaps in health care and contribute to the broader goal of achieving health equity, particularly in underserved communities.

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

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

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

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

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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