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BackgroundLittle is known about the degree to which the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated restrictions and disruptions to health services, impacted the accessibility of hormonal long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) devices within Australia. Here, we explore longitudinal patterns of dispensing of the contraceptive implant and hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) within Australia, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsPopulation-based cohort study; analysis of 10% random sample of national Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme dispensing data, for females aged 15–49 years dispensed a hormonal LARC device between February 2017 and November 2021.ResultsInterrupted time-series analysis demonstrated overall that there were no significant differences in monthly dispensing rates of hormonal LARC following the Australian onset of the pandemic in April 2020, with no subsequent change in the trend. However, when stratified by LARC type, a significant increase was evident during the pandemic period (April 2020–November 2021) in the rate of hormonal IUD dispensing per month (0.20 per 10 000 95% CI 0.01 to 0.38)), compared with a decrease for the implant (−0.08 per 10 000 (95% CI −0.16 to 0.01)). Increases in hormonal IUD dispensing during the pandemic were most pronounced for those aged 20–24 years, new users, those without a Commonwealth concession card, and in the State of Victoria.ConclusionsWithin Australia in the defined pandemic period, access to hormonal LARC devices was not negatively impacted. Rather a significant increase in dispensing of hormonal IUDs was evident.

Schools are an important source of information about sexuality, but programs that focus on promoting knowledge alone generally have limited impact on sexual health. Schools also provide a space for relationship and social skill development, which are critical for social connectedness or a sense of belonging. Enhancing social connectedness among adolescents has been associated with improved mental health, but whether this is a beneficial strategy for sexual health is unclear. The aim of this systematic review was to determine the impact of school-based programs that promote social connectedness on adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Following a search of major databases, 18 studies of ten distinct programs were identified. Overall, improved condom use, delayed initiation of sex, and reduced pregnancy rates were demonstrated. Program effectiveness was influenced by ethnicity and gender, for example, greater improvements in condom use were often reported among African American students. Programs that were most effective incorporated multiple constructs of social connectedness, included social skill-building and had a sustained intensity. Future research should examine gender- and culture-sensitive ways to promote social connectedness, and the optimal program intensity. This review provides promising evidence that programs that promote multiple aspects of connectedness can improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health.

Existing evidence on the effects of race and ethnicity on pregnancy outcomes is restricted to individual studies done within specific countries and health systems. We aimed to assess the impact of race and ethnicity on perinatal outcomes in high-income and upper-middle-income countries, and to ascertain whether the magnitude of disparities, if any, varied across geographical regions.

ObjectiveTo examine associations between Neisseria gonorrhoeae(NG) infection during pregnancy and the risk of preterm birth, spontaneous abortion, premature rupture of membranes, perinatal mortality, low birth weight and ophthalmia neonatorum.Data sourcesWe searched Medline, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature for studies published between 1948 and 14 January 2020.MethodsStudies were included if they reported testing for NG during pregnancy and compared pregnancy, perinatal and/or neonatal outcomes between women with and without NG. Two reviewers independently assessed papers for inclusion and extracted data. Risk of bias was assessed using established checklists for each study design. Summary ORs with 95% CIs were generated using random effects models for both crude and, where available, adjusted associations.ResultsWe identified 2593 records and included 30 in meta-analyses. Women with NG were more likely to experience preterm birth (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.99, n=18 studies); premature rupture of membranes (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.92, n=9); perinatal mortality (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.35 to 3.46, n=9); low birth weight (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.12 to 2.48, n=8) and ophthalmia neonatorum (OR 4.21, 95% CI 1.36 to 13.04, n=6). Summary adjusted ORs were, for preterm birth 1.90 (95% CI 1.14 to 3.19, n=5) and for low birth weight 1.48 (95% CI 0.79 to 2.77, n=4). In studies with a multivariable analysis, age was the variable most commonly adjusted for. NG was more strongly associated with preterm birth in low-income and middle-income countries (OR 2.21, 95% CI 1.40 to 3.48, n=7) than in high-income countries (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.83, n=11).ConclusionsNG is associated with a number of adverse pregnancy and newborn outcomes. Further research should be done to determine the role of NG in different perinatal mortality outcomes because interventions that reduce mortality will have the greatest impact on reducing the burden of disease in low-income and middle-income countries.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42016050962.

Objective:To assess data quality of cancer registrations for Indigenous Australians and produce reliable national Indigenous cancer incidence statistics.

To assess data quality of cancer registrations for Indigenous Australians and produce reliable national Indigenous cancer incidence statistics.

Objective:This study was conducted to better understand the characteristics of current and past researchers in Indigenous health in Australia and the factors that may influence decisions about working in this field. Methods:A self‐administered survey by e‐mail or post to all individuals listed as an author on a published paper or who completed a PhD or masters research degree in the field of Indigenous health between 1995 and 2004. Results:We identified 472 papers and 151 theses; from these, 1,067 authors were identified. Completed questionnaires were returned by 373 authors (35%), of whom 32 (9%) identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. The majority (80%) of respondents were active in research but only 38% considered Indigenous health to be their primary area of research. The most important attractive factor about Indigenous health research (IHR) selected by respondents was “important area/national priority” (35%) and the most unattractive factor was “politics” (30%). There was considerable ambivalence about recommending a career in IHR to an early career researcher. When asked what was required to attract researchers into IHR, respondents cited the need for improved institutional support, mentoring, long‐term funding and sustainable career pathways. Conclusions and Implications:This study contributes to a greater understanding of Australia's research workforce in Indigenous health. It provides evidence of a strongly perceived need for institutional reform that supports Indigenous health research, for sustainable approaches to funding, and for mentoring initiatives for early career researchers.

This study was conducted to better understand the characteristics of current and past researchers in Indigenous health in Australia and the factors that may influence decisions about working in this field.

INNO-LiPA and PapType human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping assays were compared for detection of HPV genotypes on archival vulvar tissue. The INNO-LiPA assay detected 49 HPV-16 infections, compared with 47 detected by the PapType assay. The INNO-LiPA assay detected amplifiable DNA in 59 (91%) biopsy specimens, compared with 57 (88%) specimens for which amplifiable DNA was detected by the PapType assay. The two genotyping assays were highly comparable.

ABSTRACTThe Roche Linear Array (LA) and Innogenetics INNO-LiPA human papillomavirus (HPV) genotyping assays were compared for paraffin-embedded vulval tissues. The LA detected amplifiable DNA in 28 (57%) out of 49 biopsy specimens, 20 (40%) being HPV genotyped, compared to 49 (100%) and 41 (83%), respectively, detected by the INNO-LiPA. The INNO-LiPA provides greater sensitivity for HPV genotyping in archival tissue.

Although supplemental folic acid taken prenatally has been shown to prevent a number of birth defects, recent animal and human studies suggest that it may also be associated with adverse effects on some aspects of respiratory function in offspring. A recent study in Norway involving 32,077 children reported that a history of maternal folic acid supplementation during pregnancy was associated with wheezing and lower respiratory tract infections in the early life of exposed offspring.

Women diagnosed with preeclampsia may be in a state of oxidative stress, but trials designed to show whether antioxidants such as vitamins C and E lessen the risk of preeclampsia have given mixed results. The Australian Collaborative Trial of Supplements is a randomized multicenter study of supplemental antioxidants in nulliparous women at 14 to 22 weeks gestation who had singleton pregnancies and were normotensive at the outset. Participants received either 4 daily tablets combining 250 mg of vitamin C as ascorbic acid and 100 IU of vitamin E as d-alpha-tocopherol succinate (total daily doses of 1000 mg and 400 IU, respectively) or placebo tablets containing microcrystalline cellulose. A total of 1877 women were entered into the trial. The supplemented and control groups were similar at baseline.