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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

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.

SH21045Online triage tool improves the efficiency of a sexual health service

Thomas Munro 0000-0003-2892-3520, Bronnie Anderson-Smith, Heng Lu, Heather H. Worth and Vickie Knight
pp. 432-435

Sydney Sexual Health Centre, the largest public sexual health clinic in New South Wales, created an online triage tool to ensure access for consumers from priority populations and refer those from non-priority populations to a more appropriate service. A 2017 review of this triage tool found that it had achieved its purpose in triaging out non-priority populations. It saved a significant amount (approximately 6 months equivalent) of phone triage nurse time previously spent directing patients to other services. More work may need to be done to ensure that the tool is not creating a barrier for priority populations wishing to access our service.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis therapy is highly effective in preventing HIV transmission; however, it is markedly underprescribed. Most commonly cited reasons for not prescribing pre-exposure prophylaxis are lack of physician comfort and knowledge. We developed a mobile application (app) that can be used during patient encounters to help clinicians identify appropriate patients and appropriately prescribe therapy. This app can be used in low-resource settings where HIV prevalence is highest.

SH23168Improving digital partner notification for sexually transmitted infections and HIV through a systematic review and application of the Behaviour Change Wheel approach

Will Kocur 0009-0006-6123-2413, Julie McLeod 0000-0001-6787-1511, Sonja Charlotte Margot Bloch 0000-0002-1779-8616, Jennifer J. MacDonald 0000-0002-3896-0846, Charlotte Woodward, Amelia McInnes-Dean, Jo J. Gibbs 0000-0001-5696-0260, John J. Saunders 0000-0003-3020-9916, Ann A. Blandford 0000-0002-3198-7122, Claudia Estcourt 0000-0001-5523-5630 and Paul Flowers 0000-0001-6239-5616

This paper systematically develops recommendations to improve current and future digital partner notification interventions. It takes findings from the published international literature and then uses tools from behavioural science to generate a series of simple recommendations. The recommendations should be further operationalised locally with key stakeholders for optimal impact.

SH23114Characterisation of social media conversations on syphilis: an unobtrusive observational study

Abby C. Dawson, Alyssa K. Fitzpatrick, Janet M. Matthews, Andrew A. K. Nguyen, Kelly Papanaoum and Justine R. Smith 0000-0002-4756-5493

This study used data sourced from Twitter to characterise social media conversations about syphilis. Accurate medical information was limited, whereas tweets about personal experience generated the most engagement. Coupling medical resources and personal experiences may support public health education on social media.

SH24037A typology of HIV self-testing support systems: a scoping review

Arron Tran 0009-0007-2800-0941, Nghiep Tran, James Tapa, Warittha Tieosapjaroen 0000-0001-9712-9262, Christopher K. Fairley 0000-0001-9081-1664, Eric P. F. Chow 0000-0003-1766-0657, Lei Zhang 0000-0003-2343-084X, Rachel C. Baggaley, Cheryl C. Johnson, Muhammad S. Jamil and Jason J. Ong 0000-0001-5784-7403

The success of HIV self-testing requires the user to accurately use the self-test, interpret the result, and be linked to relevant follow-up services. We summarised the systems and tools that have been used to support users through the self-testing process (‘support systems’), and found a diverse range of support systems, including pictorial instructions, in-person support, and virtual tools. We have developed a typology to categorise these support systems, which can be used as a framework for further research.

SH22134Australian sexually transmitted infection (STI) management guidelines for use in primary care 2022 update

Jason J. Ong 0000-0001-5784-7403, Christopher Bourne, Judith A. Dean 0000-0002-2513-2013, Nathan Ryder 0000-0002-2050-0155, Vincent J. Cornelisse 0000-0003-0657-9677, Sally Murray, Penny Kenchington, Amy Moten, Courtney Gibbs, Sarah Maunsell, Tyler Davis, Jessica Michaels and Nicholas A. Medland 0000-0003-0403-8930
pp. 1-8

This major review of the ‘Australian Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Management Guidelines For Use In Primary Care’ highlights important aspects of the guidelines and provides the rationale for significant changes.

SH22054Chlamydia home sampling in the real world: a cross-sectional analysis

Rosalind Foster 0000-0002-8098-3718, Tobias Vickers 0000-0001-8071-8685, Heng Lu and Anna McNulty
pp. 479-483

Repeat chlamydia infection after treatment is common, and testing for reinfection is recommended at 3 months post-treatment, but retesting rates in Australia are low. Sydney Sexual Health Centre introduced an automated, home sampling process for chlamydia reinfection screening in 2019 to help increase retesting rates. This study evaluated home sampling in a real world setting, and found a lower uptake than previously demonstrated in a clinical trial.