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Background: Oral human papillomavirus (HPV) is associated with a rising incidence of certain head and neck cancers, and oral sex has been associated with oral HPV. This study sought to identify more specific patterns of oral sexual activity, including self-inoculation, that are associated with oral HPV infections in young women.Methods: A total of 1010 women attending a large university completed a computer-based questionnaire and provided oral specimens that were tested for any oral HPV using a Linear Array assay that detects any HPV as well as 37 HPV genotypes. Twenty-seven women provided additional samples up to 12 months after enrollment. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were conducted to identify oral sexual patterns and other risk factors associated with prevalent oral HPV.Results: Nineteen women had prevalent oral HPV (1.9%), with 10 women (1%) having a type-specific infection. Oral HPV was significantly associated with lifetime coital sex partnership numbers (P = 0.03), lifetime and yearly oral sex partnership numbers (P < 0.01), and hand and/or sex toy transfer from genitals to mouth (P < 0.001). Oral HPV was also associated with greater use of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, and sharing of smoking devices, lipstick, or toothbrushes (P < 0.05 for each), with an apparent dose-response for alcohol use and smoking behavior, stratified by number of sexual partners. Of 7 women with prevalent HPV who provided follow-up samples, none had evidence of a persistent type-specific infection.Conclusions: These data provide additional evidence of transmission of oral HPV from oral sexual activity and also suggest possible transmission from self-inoculation or sharing of oral products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the characteristics of sexual partner and sexually transmitted diseases (STD) among young adults and adolescents. It reveals the assessment of sexual partner characteristics, individual sexual activities, and STD diagnosis of clinic attendees. It cites the use of logistic regression to compute the odd ratios (OR) for sexual partner characteristics, demographic profiles, individual sexual activities, and the use of condom. It found out the association of age and history of STD as the prevailing sexual partner characteristics while composite partner risk is related to STD diagnosis. It further asserts the increased risk of prevalent STD in sexual partner characteristics.

The article describes the patterns of alcohol and drug use disorders among to young persons attending a public STD clinic and to determine their associations with sexual risk behaviors and STDs. Substance use disorders were common than confirmed STDs among young STD clinic attendees. STD clinics may be an appropriate setting to screen for and address substance use disorders in young persons.

Objective/Goal: The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of published literature on the association between problematic alcohol consumption and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Design: Using a MEDLINE search (1995–2003) and article references, we identified articles that described measures of alcohol consumption and STDs and presented data on their association. For each eligible study, we classified the alcohol consumption measure as specific (problem drinking) or general, and examined study designs, study populations, STD measures, and results. Results: Of 42 eligible studies, 11 included specific measures of problem drinking, of which 8 found a significant association between alcohol consumption and at least 1 STD. The relationship did not appear to vary according to gender or pattern of alcohol consumption assessed. Conclusions: The literature supports an overall association between problematic alcohol consumption and STDs, although their causal relationship cannot be determined with certainty from these observational studies. The findings have implications for prevention planners, clinicians, and individual patients at risk of STDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Few data are available on the prevalence of and risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) other than HIV in Brazil. Goal: The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of HIV infection and other STDs in Brazilian women who seek HIV testing, investigate risk factors for these infections, and assess feasibility of screening in HIV test clinic settings. Study Design: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 200 women, aged 14 to 29 years, who attended an HIV testing site in central Rio de Janeiro. Participants completed a questionnaire and received testing for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Results: HIV and other STDs were common (HIV 8%, syphilis 6.5%, chlamydial infection 8%, and gonorrhea 9.5%). HIV was significantly associated with lower education and with having an HIVinfected partner. Other STDs were significantly associated with younger age at first intercourse, heavy alcohol consumption, and marijuana use. Conclusion: STDs appear to be substantial health problems among young Brazilian women seeking HIV testing. HIV testing sites in Brazil should consider offering screening and treatment for STDs and substance abuse as part of their HIV prevention services.

Evaluates the assessment of primary care physicians toward sexually transmitted diseases-related (STD) issues in Pennsylvania. Improvement of STD-prevention practices; Indication of clinical settings and counseling behaviors; Observation of the demographic characteristics.

Provides information on a study systematically reviewing and summarizing the medical literature on the effect of spermicides containing nonoxynol-9 on prevention of gonorrhea, chlamydial infection, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Methodology used to conduct the study; Results of the study; Discussion on the results.

Background: Transgender women (TGW) are susceptible to the acquisition of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human papillomavirus (HPV). Nonetheless, the exact data for this population are scarce. We estimated HPV positivity at the anal, genital, and oral sites among TGW and also identified the related characteristics and behaviors that could be risk factors for HPV infection in a sample of TGWin Brazil. Furthermore, we characterized the site-specific HPV genotypes among those who were positive for HPVat these 3 sites. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on TGW in Goiânia City (Central-Midwest region), Brazil, between April 2018 and August 2019. Respondent-driven sampling was applied for recruitment. Next, self-collected anal, genital, and oral sampleswere examined forHPV DNA using polymerase chain reaction (SPF-10 primer). Human papillomavirus genotypes were identified in 12 TGW. Results: In the TGWincluded in the study, the anal, genital, and oral HPV positivity values were 77.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 67.3%-84.6%), 33.5% (95% CI, 26.1%-48.9%), and 10.9%(95%CI, 5.8%-17.0%), respectively. In addition, the majority of 12 participants who tested for HPV had multiple genotypes. HPV-52 was the most prevalent genotype identified at the anal (66.6%) and genital (40.0%) sites, whereas HPV-62 and HPV-66 were the most common at the oral site (25.0%). Conclusions: A high HPV positivity was observed among TGW. Therefore, additional epidemiological studies onHPV genotypes should generate health intervention information, including the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of sexually transmitted infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on the quality improvement for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) treatment guidelines. He mentions possible explanations for low adherence of providers such as unawareness of latest guidelines from organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and disagreement with the guidelines' provisions. Moreover, strategies to improve outpatient health care quality are mentioned such as hospital staff training and the use of electronic medical records.

Objectives': Little is known about sexually transmitted disease (STD) knowledge of primary care providers. The objectives of this study were to determine the knowledge about the management of STDs among primary care physicians and to identify physician characteristics associated with possession of STD knowledge. Study: A self-administered questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 1600 obstetrician/gynecologists, pediatricians, family physicians, and internists practicing in Pennsylvania. Information on physician and patient demographics was gathered, and we assessed knowledge and practice patterns concerning the management of STDs in young women. Results: Physician knowledge regarding the evaluation and management of women with or at risk for STDs was associated with female gender (odds ratio [OR]: 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4–3.2), age ≤40 (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 1.4–3.6), and metropolitan practice location (OR: 1.7; 95% CI: 1.1–2.6). Familiarity with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) STD treatment guidelines was independently associated with STD knowledge (OR: 2.1); 95% CI: 1.2, 3.3). Physicians with good STD knowledge were more likely to report routinely screening at-risk women for Chlamydia trachomatis (OR: 3.9; 95% CI: 2.3–6.8). Conclusions: Inadequacies in physician knowledge may serve as a barrier to the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of STDs. Interventions to improve STD management practices should include continuing medical education and distribution of CDC's STD treatment guidelines to primary care providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although risk factors of recurrent and persistent bacterial vaginosis (BV) have been explored in the literature, the longitudinal incidence patterns of BV remain elusive.Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of longitudinal data from a randomized clinical trial of metronidazole treatment for asymptomatic BV. Repeated-measures latent class analysis was used to identify distinct longitudinal patterns of incident BV cases. Multinomial regression analysis was used to determine the predictors of class membership. The multivariable model included age, last BV treatment, douching frequency, birth control, sexual risk behavior, and assignment to treatment arm.Results: A total of 858 African American women who were asymptomatic for BV were included in the analysis. Three emergent patterns of BV for 12 months were identified by repeated-measures latent class analysis: persistent (55.9%), recurrent (30.5%), and clearance (13.5%). Participants who had douched at least once had significantly lower odds to be in the recurrent class versus the clearance class (adjusted odds ratio [adjOR], 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18-0.63). Women who had sex with women had significantly lower odds of belonging to the persistent class versus the clearance class (adjOR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.22-0.68) and the recurrent class (adjOR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.23-0.81). Those who were assigned to the treatment arm had significantly increased odds of being in the recurrent class versus the clearance class (adjOR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.22-3.03). Women older than 21 years were significantly more likely to be in the recurrent class (adjOR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.17-3.00) than in the clearance class.Conclusions: Assessment of BV cases revealed distinct patterns of recurrence and persistence of BV, which were significantly associated with douching, being in the treatment arm, and being a woman who had sex with women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are important public health concerns among black men who have sex with men only (BMSMO), as well as those who have sex with both men and women (BMSMW). Sexually transmitted infections also increase risk of acquiring and HIV, which is also a critical concern. Compared with BMSMO, research shows that BMSMW experience elevated levels of HIV/STI vulnerability factors occurring at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and social/structural levels. These factors may work independently, increasing one's risk of engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors, but often work in a synergistic and reinforcing manner. The synergism and reinforcement of any combination of these factors are known as a syndemic, which increases HIV/STI risk.Methods: Data from the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 061 study (n = 799) was used to conduct a latent profile analysis to identify unique combinations of risk factors that may form a syndemic and that may vary between BMSMO and BMSMW. We hypothesized that the convergence of syndemic factors would differ between groups and predict sexual risk and subsequent incident STI.Results: For BMSMO who had a high sexual risk profile, the syndemic factors characterizing this group included perceived racism, incarceration, intimate partner violence, depression, and binge drinking. For BMSMW with a high sexual risk profile, the syndemic factors that characterized this group were incarceration, depression, and binge drinking.Conclusions: The current analysis highlights syndemic profiles that differentiated BMSMO and BMSMW from one another and supports the need for tailored interventions that address specific syndemic factors for both subpopulations of black men who have sex with men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which assesses substance use disorders (SUDs) among youth as a risk factor in the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The study uses exact logistic regression and path analysis to examine the mediation effect of sexually partner characteristics such as alcohol and marijuana problem on the relationship between SUD and STD. It ends that despite controlling for demographics and condom use, partner behaviors partly explain the association in SUD and STD.

The article focuses on the workshop conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on the importance of self-obtained vaginal (SOV) specimens for detection of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in the U.S. It stated that vaginal swabs are sensitive as cervical swabs for the detection of Chlamydia trachmotis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) and more urine specimens. The SOV offers an opportunity to increase screening and hopefully further reduce CT and GC infections in women. It is revealed that the STI testing using self-obtained specimens will not replace clinic-based speculum examination and counseling by clinicians. However, self-collection programs should enhance participation in targeted screening programs.

Background and Objectives: Few data are available on the prevalence of and risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) other than HIV in Brazil.Goal: The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of HIV infection and other STDs in Brazilian women who seek HIV testing, investigate risk factors for these infections, and assess feasibility of screening in HIV test clinic settings.Study Design: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 200 women, aged 14 to 29 years, who attended an HIV testing site in central Rio de Janeiro. Participants completed a questionnaire and received testing for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.Results: HIV and other STDs were common (HIV 8%, syphilis 6.5%, chlamydial infection 8%, and gonorrhea 9.5%). HIV was significantly associated with lower education and with having an HIV-infected partner. Other STDs were significantly associated with younger age at first intercourse, heavy alcohol consumption, and marijuana use.Conclusion: STDs appear to be substantial health problems among young Brazilian women seeking HIV testing. HIV testing sites in Brazil should consider offering screening and treatment for STDs and substance abuse as part of their HIV prevention services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]