This study explores the relationship between sexual fantasies, sexual desire and sexual functioning among Iranian adults, focusing on gender differences. The findings show that men report more explicit and diverse fantasies, whereas women tend to have more romantic and emotional fantasy.

Many men who have sex with men (MSM) stop using PrEP, a medication that prevents HIV, even though they remain at risk. Our study found that MSM are more likely to re-initiate their PrEP prescription if they continue engaging in concurrent sexual partnerships, use drugs, or are influenced by their partners. These insights are crucial for developing strategies that support consistent PrEP use and prevent new HIV infections in key populations.

At-home self-collection programs for STI testing (SCS/STI testing) can expand STI diagnosis in low-resource settings, but data on client service delivery values and preferences are limited. This study found that clients most valued timely service and the health professionals’ knowledge. When building a framework for a SCS/STI testing program, it is critical to include systems for meeting clients’ needs; these formative data can guide program managers in the development of client-centered SCS/STI testing services in low-resource settings.

India has a substantial burden of STIs. The incidence rate for chlamydia, trichomoniasis and genital herpes increased, the incidence rate for syphilis declined, whereas the incidence rate for gonococcal infection did not show any substantial change. Most of the disability-adjusted life years and deaths in 2019 were contributed by syphilis.

China implemented many measures to control COVID-19. This study analyzed the number and trend of reported HIV and AIDS cases from 2017 to 2020. They found that in January 2020, when these measures started in China, there were fewer HIV and AIDS cases reported than counterfactual. They estimated that many cases were not diagnosed or not reported in some provinces. Health departments should improve and maintain their surveillance and reporting systems during pandemics, such as COVID-19.

Telehealth usage increased in the HIV community in Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth has the potential to bridge healthcare inequity and improve outreach during public health crises. Concerns associated with data privacy, trust in telehealth services and misalignment of actual available services locally with preferred services affected its adoption within the HIV community. Community-based organisations experienced resourcing and organisational challenges, which affected telehealth implementation. There is a need to enhance HIV telehealth services to prepare for future public health crises.

This study explored the impact of HIV serostatus disclosure on multiple sexual partners and condomless anal intercourse among HIV-negative MSM. Regular HIV testing promoted serostatus disclosure, and disclosure of HIV serostatus was associated with fewer sexual partners. However, among MSM with casual partners, disclosure was associated with a higher likelihood of engaging in condomless anal intercourse. These findings highlight the importance of regular HIV testing and disclosure in managing sexual health.

In the United States, medical residents and fellows may encounter challenges when counselling adolescents about sexual health. This study explores the association of residents’ and fellows’ demographics, medical training, personal adolescent sexual healthcare experiences, with confidence in STI management and confidential care for adolescents. Findings highlight the pressing need for communication training to address gaps in confidence.

There is a co-occurrence between substance use and sexual practices in adolescence, with important health impacts. Girls, sexual minorities, and native-born students are more vulnerable to engaging in this practice. Moreover, substance users in sexual contexts are more likely to engage in risky behaviours, such as having multiple partners, inconsistent condom use, and ineffective contraception, leading to increased risk of STIs and unintended pregnancies. More longitudinal studies are needed to identify their motives, predisposing factors and design public health measures.

Our recent study in Jiangxi Province, China, highlights the significant link between sexting and high-risk sexual behaviors among college students, with 12.7% reporting sexting and 11.0% of students reporting high-risk behaviors. The research underscores that students who have engaged in sexting are significantly more likely to partake in risky behaviors, such as unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners, casual sex and commercial sex. This calls for enhanced sexual health education and safety measures to curb these risky behaviors among college students.

High HIV stigma contributes to low HIV testing uptake among adolescents and young adults. We evaluated the effects of a digital youth-crowdsourced intervention on reducing HIV stigma and promoting HIV self-testing among adolescents and young adults in Kazakhstan, finding that the youth-crowdsourced intervention reduced HIV testing stigma 2 months post-intervention compared with conventional public health messaging. Implementing crowdsourced interventions in communities impacted by growing HIV epidemics could help decrease HIV stigma and increase engagement in the HIV care continuum in resource-constrained settings globally.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common and consequential among young people in the United States, especially late adolescent women, but STI testing rates are low. This research identified beliefs associated with STI testing, with the primary finding that the Reasoned Action Approach, a prominent health behavior theory, is a useful framework for understanding influential factors. Study results should be integrated into future interventions to improve STI testing among young women in the United States, thereby improving sexual health outcomes.

A new model of delivering HIV prevention medication could make a big difference in reaching more people at risk, especially those facing barriers such as cost or stigma. By using nurse-led consultations, telehealth and online testing platforms, this approach offers a convenient and effective way to help individuals access HIV prevention medication without needing to visit a clinic in person. This model could reshape HIV prevention efforts, particularly for underserved populations, by breaking down traditional healthcare barriers and improving access to essential treatments.