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Background: Chlamydia remains the most notified bacterial sexually transmissible infection in Australia with guidelines recommending testing for re-infection at 3 months post treatment. This paper aimed to determine chlamydia retesting and repeat positivity rates within 2–4 months among young women in Australia, and to evaluate what factors increase or decrease the likelihood of retesting. Methods: Chlamydia retesting rates among 16–29-year-old women were analysed from Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance of sexually transmissible infection and bloodborne virus (ACCESS) sentinel surveillance data (n = 62 sites). Among women with at least one positive test between 1 January 2018 and 31 August 2022, retesting counts and proportions within 2–4 months were calculated. Logistic regression was performed to assess factors associated with retesting within 2–4 months. Results: Among 8758 women who were positive before 31 August 2022 to allow time for follow up, 1423 (16.2%) were retested within 2–4 months, of whom 179 (12.6%) tested positive. The odds of retesting within 2–4 months were 25% lower if tested in a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-9) pandemic year (2020–2022) (aOR = 0.75; 95% CI 0.59–0.95). Among 9140 women with a positive test before 30 November 2022, 397 (4.3%) were retested too early (within 7 days to 1 month) and 81 (20.4%) of those were positive. Conclusions: Chlamydia retesting rates remain low with around a sixth of women retested within 2–4 months in line with guidelines. Re-infection is common with around one in eight retesting positive. An increase in retesting is required to reduce the risk of reproductive complications and onward transmission. Chlamydia remains as the most notified bacterial sexually transmissible infection in Australia and repeat infections can lead to significant reproductive complications, particularly for women. Guidelines recommended retesting at 3 months following a chlamydia diagnosis, but current retesting rates in line with guidelines are low, and re-infections are common. Increased efforts to improve timely retesting can aid in earlier identification, management and reduced risk of disease burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a text message intervention to improve young people's knowledge of sexual reproductive health (SRH) and harms related to smoking in Indonesia.Methods: A quasi-experimental short message service (SMS) trial of young people aged 16-24 years receiving twice weekly SMS over a 10-week intervention period. Pre- and post-online demographic and risk behaviour surveys were used to assess changes in knowledge. Among respondents who completed both surveys, we assessed changes in knowledge before and after SMS intervention using paired McNemar's test and differences in mean knowledge score using a paired t-test.Results: In total, 555 eligible young people were enrolled into the SMS intervention; 235 (42%) completed a follow-up survey, of which 198 (84%) were matched to a baseline survey. Median age of participants was 19 years and the majority were female (63%). The mean knowledge score significantly increased between baseline and follow-up surveys for SRH questions [2.7, (95% CI 2.47, 2.94) vs 3.4 (95% CI 2.99, 3.81) (P = <0.01)] and smoking-related questions [3.8 (95% CI 3.66, 3.99) vs 4.1 (95% CI 3.99, 4.28) (P = 0.03)]. A majority of participants reported that the SMS intervention increased their knowledge (95%) and were a useful reminder (95%).Conclusions: An SMS intervention was feasible, acceptable and improved adolescents' SRH knowledge and smoking knowledge in a low- to middle-income setting. SMS interventions targeting young people need to be scaled up, with the potential to explore additional topics around healthy lifestyle, nutrition and physical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Despite viewing less often than young men, young women view pornography. This study used an online survey to describe young women's pornography use and their reflections on the influence of this use.Methods: Young Australian women (15-29 years) were recruited via Facebook to complete an online survey in 2016. Respondents who had ever viewed pornography (n = 491) were asked 10 closed-ended questions related to their exposure to pornography and an open-ended question: 'How has pornography influenced your life?'. Quantitative responses were descriptively analysed. Qualitative responses were thematically analysed using a descriptive qualitative approach.Results: Most respondents (89%) watched pornography alone for sexual arousal and openly reflected on the influence of their own use. Two overarching themes were identified across qualitative data. The first, exploration, included positive sub-themes of safety, independence, normalisation of sexuality and diversity in body type. The second, harm, included negative sub-themes related to conditioning, comparison and dependency. Themes were identified separately among two discrete groups, but were also described concurrently among a third group of (mostly older) respondents who experienced pornography both as a place for exploration and as a potential source of harm.Conclusion: Young women watch pornography and have positive, negative and mixed experiences that they link to their own viewing. Future research must provide a safe space for young women to be honest regarding their pornography use to ensure that their perspectives are heard and understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Media, including fiction novels, influences health behaviours in women's lives. This research measures the prevalence of sexual content and explores the portrayal of sexual health topics in 'chick lit', a genre of fiction characterised by neoliberal feminism.Methods: Fifty bestselling chick lit novels were identified from the book-related website, Goodreads. Information was extracted on sexual encounters taking place: characters involved, behaviours depicted, references to contraception and other (un)safe sex practices. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse key features of sexual encounters, and thematic analysis conducted to explore the portrayal of (un)safe sex.Results: Forty-five books (90%) contained at least one sexual scene (total: 199 scenes). 110 scenes explicitly described sexual behaviours, mostly commonly vaginal intercourse (72%), manual stimulation of a woman (28%) or oral stimulation of a man (15%) or woman (15%), and 53% of scenes implied sexual intercourse occurred but did not describe the event. Condom use was described in 43% of scenes with clearly described vaginal intercourse, almost exclusively in scenes involving dating or casual partners. Condoms were portrayed as a 'necessary evil'; although use was normalised, they were described as having negative effects on pleasure and intimacy.Conclusions: Portrayals of sexual encounters in chick lit are realistic and recognise that safe sex does not always occur. Despite references to condom use being prevalent, the portrayal of condoms in a negative light could discourage young women from their use. Chick lit could provide a 'novel' opportunity to model positive behaviours and promote discussion of safer sex practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Sexting is a common emerging phenomenon. This study aims to explore young people's attitudes towards sexting.Methods: Participants (n=469, age range 15-29 years) were recruited at a music festival and self-completed a questionnaire. Attitudes towards sexting were assessed using a series of seven statements, rated on a five-point Likert scale from 'strongly agree' to 'strongly disagree'. Correlates of sexting attitudes were determined using multivariable regression.Results: Forty-six percent of respondents reported ever sexting. Most (88%) agreed 'It's risky for a girl to send a naked picture of herself,' fewer agreed with the statement 'It's risky for a boy to send a naked picture of himself' (77%). Thirty percent agreed that 'If someone I'd just started seeing sent me a sext I might show it to some friends,' however, only 14% might do the same with a sext from a boyfriend or girlfriend (this did not differ by sex). More permissive attitudes to sexting were associated with being male, lower sexual health knowledge, inconsistent condom use with casual partners, and higher alcohol consumption.Conclusions: Although the majority of young people surveyed agreed that sexting was risky it was a common practice. Given the potential psychosocial impact of sharing sexts without consent, it was concerning that up to a third of participants indicated they might do so. The findings of this study have implications for informing education on sexting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clinical guidelines commonly recommend annual chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) testing in young people. General practice (GP) clinics can play an important role in annual testing, as a high proportion of young people attend these clinics annually; however, little is known about the timing of attendance and testing in this setting. Methods: The Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Blood-Borne Viruses system extracted consultation and pathology data on 16-29-year-olds attending 25 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). Individuals with an initial positive test were excluded, as guidelines recommend retesting at 3 months. Results: Among 3852 individuals who had an initial negative test, 2201 (57.1%) reattended at ~12 months; reattendance was higher among females (60.8%) than males (44.1%; P < 0.001) and higher among 16-19-year-olds (64.2%) than 25-29-year-olds (50.8%; P < 0.001). Of 2201 individuals who reattended at 12 months, 377 had a chlamydia test (retesting rate of 9.8%); retesting was higher among females (10.8%) than males (6.1%; P < 0.01) and higher among 16-19-year-olds (13.3%) than 25-29-year-olds (7.5%; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Although over half of young people reattended their GP clinic ~1 year after a negative chlamydia baseline test, only 9.8% were retested at this visit. Strategies are needed to promote regular attendance and testing to both patients and clinicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Age at first sex (AFS) is associated with adverse outcomes. We explore associated factors and correlates of 'early' AFS (<16 years). Methods: In 2009-11, participants (16-29 years) were recruited. Multivariate Cox regression explored correlates of AFS. Logistic regression analysis explored associations between early AFS and risk behaviours. Results: Of 3563 participants, 79% were sexually active. Median AFS was 17 years. Compared with those aged 25-29 years, younger participants reported younger AFS [16-17 years: adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) = 1.87, P < 0.01; 18-19 years: AHR = 1.47, P < 0.01, 20-24 years: AHR = 1.19, P < 0.01]. Of those sexually active, 29% reported early AFS. Early AFS was associated with being male [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.25, P < 0.05], being younger (16-17 years: AOR = 11.10, P < 0.01; 18-19 years: AOR = 3.60, P < 0.01; 20-24 years: AOR = 1.83, P < 0.01; compared with 25-29 years), having no education after high school (AOR = 1.52, P < 0.01), living alone (AOR = 1.84, P < 0.01) or with a partner (AOR = 1.57, P = 0.01), having more than five lifetime sex partners (AOR = 3.22, P = 0.01), inconsistent condom use in the past 12 months (AOR = 1.43, P < 0.01), ever using illicit drugs (AOR = 1.69, P < 0.01) and ever injecting drugs (AOR = 3.45, P < 0.01). Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of comprehensive sex education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: 'Sexting' is the exchange of sexually explicit material via communication technologies. Despite significant media attention, there has been little examination of sexting in the Australian setting. This study aimed to provide insight into sexting behaviours and attitudes among young Australians. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sample of people aged 16-29 years attending a music festival (n = 1372). Correlates of lifetime sexting were determined using multivariate logistic regression. Attitudes towards and perceived consequences of sexting were explored in focus group discussions (FGDs) with 39 young people. Results: Forty percent of survey participants reported that they had ever sent or received a sext (48% of males, 36% of females), most commonly with a regular partner. Lower levels of education, greater recreational spending, greater number of sexual partners, inconsistent condom use with a regular partner, identifying as being nonheterosexual and risky alcohol consumption were all independent correlates of sexting. FGD participants made a clear distinction between consensual creating, sending and possessing of sexts, and nonconsensual sharing of sexts. Positive outcomes of consensual sexting included flirting and sexual experimentation, with sexting perceived as a normalised aspect of sexual interaction. Conclusions: Sexting is a common and normalised practice among young Australians. Our findings highlight the distinction in young people's minds between consensual sexting and the nonconsensual sharing or circulation of sexts, which is not currently well recognised in sexuality education, the media or the law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To answer a key question ('Are Australian sexual health clinics attracting priority populations?'), we used data from 44 Australian sexual health clinics between 2004 and 2011. We assessed the proportion of patients that were from priority populations (deemed to be at risk of sexually transmissible infections) and compared this to their proportions in the general population using data from Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Australian Study of Health and Relationships. A X²-test was used. A total of 278 154 new patients attended during 2004-2011. The proportions from each priority population were significantly higher (P < 0.01 for all) than for the general population: young people aged 15-29 years (58.1% v. 20.1%), men who have sex with men (26.0% v. 6.0%), female sex workers (10.8% v. 0.5%), and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (4.2% v. 2.3%). This study confirms that Australian sexual health clinics attract higher proportions of priority populations and are thus meeting their mandate as defined in the 2010-2013 National Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on risk factors for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positivity and seroconversion among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Victoria. The study analysed data from MSM who underwent HIV testing at three primary care clinics from April 2006 to June 2009. It was found that independent predictors of HIV seroconversion included a diagnosis of infectious syphilis within two years before the HIV test, having six or more anal sex partners within the last six months and inconsistent condom use with casual partners within the last six months. The authors state that the results of the study highlight the need to focus HIV prevention strategies on high-risk MSM.

The article discusses a study which described the attributes and key findings from implementation of a new blood-borne virus (BBV) and sexually transmissible infection (STI) sentinel surveillance system based on routine testing at clinical sites in Victoria. The Victorian Primary Care Network for Sentinel Surveillance (VPCNSS) on BBV and STI was established in 2006 at 17 sites, which targeted populations of men who have sex with men (MSM), young people and injecting drug users (IDU). The study collected demographic and behaviour information from patients undergoing routine HIV or STI testing at these sites and linked with laboratory results. Details of the findings are provided.

The article discusses the results of a chlamydia testing program undertaken among 16-29 years old from the Loddon Mallee region of Victoria. Chlamydia prevalence was noted to be high in the study population that use an illicit drug and has a low condom usage. Many participants were found to have poor knowledge on STIs and low condom use. The study concluded that the findings highlight the need for intervention programs that combine both sexually transmissible infections (STI) testing and prevention programs.

The article discusses results of a survey of young people's self-reported sexual experience and their perceptions of peer norms. It is noted that youth who perceive that their peers have favourable attitudes towards sex are more likely to engage in sexual behaviour. Findings revealed that 69% of participants believed they had fewer lifetime sexual partners than average. In addition, the mean number of actual lifetime partners reported was 5.5 and the mean perceived average partners for peers was 6.6. A comparison with a national survey showed that peer's average sexual experience was overestimated.

The article discusses a study which investigated chlamydia positivity and correlates of chlamydia trachomatis infection in a primary care sentinel surveillance network between April 2006 and June 2009. Results showed 5.6 percent positivity in 12,233 females, 7.7 percent in 10,316 heterosexual males and 6.2 percent in 7,872 percent in men who have sex with men (MSM). Correlates of chlamydia among females were younger age, confidence interval, being born overseas, multiple sex partners and inconsistent condom use with regular sex partners. Correlates of chlamydia among heterosexual men were younger age, being born overseas, symptoms and multiple sex partners. Correlates among MSM were being born overseas, being human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and multiple anal sex partners.