Sexually transmissible infections (STI) enhance transmission of HIV, probably even in the context of viral suppression by antiretroviral drugs. This study demonstrates high incidence rates for four STI (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, warts and syphilis) in a longitudinal treatment cohort of HIV-infected individuals between 2005 and 2011.

Australia’s philanthropic sector is often not well understood, and little is known about philanthropic funding for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) initiatives. In-depth interviews with those working for Australian philanthropic trusts and foundations, and those working to improve SRH, identified a range of barriers and facilitators to both seeking and providing philanthropic funding for SRH-focused initiatives. Addressing the barriers identified and promoting the facilitators could enhance awareness of the possible role that Australia’s philanthropic sector could play in improving the SRH of Australians.

Microbicides could be an option for the prevention and treatment of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and other reproductive tract infections (RTIs) in pregnancy. Understanding pregnant women’s acceptability and use of these topical microbicide products will be crucial for future product development. In this qualitative study regarding hypothetical use of topical microbicides for BV, pregnant women were open to the use of a microbicide for the prevention, and particularly for the treatment, of BV for a variety of reasons, but especially if use would positively impact the baby’s health. Improved education regarding BV, its complications, overcoming practical problems in using microbicides and involving partners in decision making regarding microbicides may improve acceptability of microbicide use for BV.

Genital warts are associated with a negative impact on quality of life. Patients experience significant psychosocial burden, with gender differences in certain aspects of their quality of life.

Multiple drivers of HIV risk among transwomen have been investigated in the literature to date, but little work has been done to examine the sexual networks of transwomen. This study utilises San Francisco city-wide data from HIV counselling and testing sites to identify characteristics of individuals who report having a transgender sexual partner and examines their HIV-related risk behaviours. We found higher rates of risk behaviours among sexual partners of transgender people yet lower HIV positivity when comparing to the overall testing sample. These findings point to the need for a rigorous examination of the sexual networks of transgender people to better understand the disproportionately higher risk for HIV.

An increase in the notification rate of gonorrhoea was observed in the Australian surveillance system. Data analysis showed that although notification rates have increased, epidemiology remained constant, with highest rates in Indigenous people in remote areas. The greatest increase in rates was for men in urban settings. Prevention efforts should be strengthened and further analysis incorporating laboratory testing data should be undertaken.

‘Sexting’ is the exchange of sexually explicit material via communication technologies. We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire with 1372 young people and focus group discussions with 39 young people to better understand this practice. We found that sexting was common (40% had ever sexted) and participants considered consensual sexting to be an acceptable and normal part of relationships.

Analyses of the proportion of non-viral sexually transmissible infections reported by STD clinics to the Centers for Disease Control from 2000 to 2010 showed significant declines for syphilis and gonorrhoea, and to a lesser extent for chlamydia.

We compared uptake and outcomes of a novel time-limited pop-up community HIV testing service providing rapid HIV tests with those of an established fast-track screening service clinical model offering rapid and/or conventional HIV tests and tests for sexually transmissible infections (STI). This study showed that time-limited Pop-up community HIV testing is feasible and reached high-risk gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM); however, compared with a clinic-based model, it only reached a smaller proportion of GBM who test infrequently or who have never been tested and are unaware of their HIV status. No STI testing was conducted through the Pop-up service, which allowed a higher throughput of HIV tests; however, a significant number of STIs may have been missed.

A sample of lesbian women recruited via the Internet was compared with a paper-based sample. Both groups completed a questionnaire regarding demographic variables and questions regarding dealing with homosexuality, psychological burden, access to care and discrimination experience within the German healthcare system. Health survey data derived from Internet- and paper-based samples of lesbian women in Germany are not too dissimilar. Further research in additional contexts is needed to decide whether they can be merged for further analyses.

Young age at first sex (AFS) is associated with adverse outcomes, including the acquisition of sexually transmissible infections. We explored factors and correlates of ‘early’ (<16 years) AFS among young festival attendees in Melbourne, Australia. Median AFS was 17 years; results indicated that being male, younger, having no post-high school education, multiple lifetime sex partners, reporting inconsistent condom use, living alone or with a partner and ever using drugs was associated with early AFS. Results highlight the importance of comprehensive sex education before sexual initiation

Clinical guidelines commonly recommend annual chlamydia testing in young people. The Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Blood-Borne Viruses system (ACCESS) extracted consultation and pathology data on 16–29-year-olds attending 25 general practice (GP) clinics in 2007–10. We calculated the proportion of individuals with an initial negative test that reattended at 12 months (±3 months) and retested at 12 months (±3 months). Although over half of young people reattended their GP clinic approximately 1 year after a negative chlamydia baseline test, retesting at this visit was low. Strategies are needed to promote regular attendance and testing to both patients and clinicians.

A high prevalence of trichomoniasis is reported for many remote Indigenous communities despite intensive screening and treatment. In this modelling study we investigate the potential impact for point-of-care (POC) testing and treatment to reduce trichomoniasis prevalence in this population. Our results suggest that POC testing, in place of conventional testing, may improve trichomoniasis control, but emphasis should be placed on testing older women.

This cross-sectional study revealed a seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) of 8% in a random sample of HIV-infected patients with normal liver function and 4.4% in those with biochemical hepatitis. This is greater than the seroprevalence in the Australian general population, such that HEV may be an under-recognised cause of hepatitis in the population of individuals with HIV infection and should be considered in those with unexplained hepatitis.

This study describes trends in 15-year-old adolescent sexual behaviour in Italy from 2002 to 2010. The findings from this study expand the knowledge on adolescent sexual behaviour in Italy and indicate the importance of developing new strategies to improve sexual health among Italian adolescents.