Since the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has already had a widespread impact on fertility. This study comprehensively assessed the effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the testis, semen parameters, sex hormone levels and erectile function, and discussed possible transmission routes during sexual intercourse and the effect of vaccination on male fertility. It provides a reference for maintaining male reproductive health under the background of normalised prevention and control of COVID-19.

Painful intramuscular injections of long-acting penicillin remain the mainstay of treatment for syphilis. They are distressing to clients and caregivers and are thought to interfere with treatment acceptance, especially if more than one dose is required. We present a novel method of delivering the same penicillin treatment into the fat, which obviate the need for multiple doses and is associated with less reported pain – a potential gamechanger to improve syphilis treatment adherence and care cascade.

The International Society for STD Research (ISSTDR) STI/HIV 2023 World Congress hosted a participatory designathon. Global experts and practitioners attending an international sexual health conference were tasked with engaging in a design-thinking, participatory crowdsourcing event to create innovative solutions for improving the control of sexually transmitted infections. This manuscript reports the processes, challenges, and successes of the designathon.

The Black Caribbean population have a disproportionately high burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study explored barriers to engagement with STI testing within a UK-based young adult Black Caribbean community. Engagement with STI testing in young adults from the Black Caribbean community is impacted by historically and culturally embedded practices and beliefs inherited through generations. Targeting these factors within interventions may be effective for increasing STI-testing, and thus reducing rates of STI-infection in this population.

Effective client triage is essential when demand for counselling exceeds capacity. We adapted an existing counselling triage tool to better fit the sexual health setting. Psychometric scales are useful tools in patient assessment and care, however, are best applied in combination with clinical judgement and peer consultation.

This study aimed to address risky sexual behaviour among adolescents. We tested the effectiveness of a contingency management intervention by juvenile probation officers, primarily designed to address substance use, on reducing risky sexual behaviour among 218 adolescents on probation. Findings indicated this intervention reduced risky sexual behaviour over time. Interventions focused on individual risk behaviours among adolescents on probation populations can have positive ripple effects, evidencing a possible approach for underserved communities lacking clinician access.

HIV rates in Australia disproportionately affect men who have sex with men (MSM) born overseas compared with those who are Australian-born. One explanation may be Medicare eligibility which can affect access to affordable healthcare including HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). This population remains under-researched as they are not captured in routinely collected prescribing data. This study demonstrates that MSM without Medicare accessing a publicly funded sexual health clinic in Sydney are less likely to be on HIV PrEP than MSM who do have Medicare.