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Background: There is an increase in number of Human Papillomavirus related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HPV-related HNSCC) High risk HPV(HR-HPV) types can be cleared by an infected person, however, some can persist and develop HN cancer. There is a broad knowledge gap regarding HPV and related cancers. Main text: The aim of this review is to assess existing published knowledge on oral-genital HPV transmission, concordance of HPV genotypes and risk of oral or/and genital lesions among spouses/partners of patients diagnosed with HPV-related HNSCC, identify gaps in the current research and highlight areas that requires further inquiry. Method: Database like Pub med, Google Scholar, Scopus, Puplon, Wiley online library were used for search strategy. Published papers on transmission, concordance of HPV genotypes and genital lesions among spouses/partners of patients diagnosed with HPV-related HNSCC were included. Papers published from January1,2000 to October 31, 2022 were included. The published papers included are 8 Case reports, 2 cross-sectional studies, 3 Cohort studies and 2 systematic reviews. Results: A total of 2125 citations were retrieved from the five sources. 15papers were included. Case reports reported concurrent HPV-related oropharyngeal, tonsillar, unspecified HNSCC, laryngeal and nasopharyngeal carcinoma among couples. The two cross-sectional studies were done. Almost all the tumors taken from patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal carcinoma (HPV-related OPC) and their spouses were positive for identical HPV 16 type. The three cohort studies showed an increase risk of upper aero-digestive tract cancer among male spouses of females with cervical cancer. Two systematic reviews reviewed literature studies which evaluated concurrent cases of HPV-related Oropharyngeal cancers. Examination of these papers showed that the majority of the studies suggested that there is HPV transmission, concordance and risk of HNSCC cancer among spouses with HPV-related oral-genital cancer. No studies evaluated the risk of developing genital cancer in spouses of patients with HNSCC. Conclusion: The findings of this review highlighted big need of further research on oral-genital HPV infection among spouses of patients diagnosed with HPV-related HNSCC. Studies are needed to evaluate the risk of getting genital and upper aero-digestive tract HPV-related cancer among spouses with HPV-related HNC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STI) is rising, especially in high-risk groups, namely people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), men who have sex with men, and people with multiple sexual partners. Additionally, the growing availability and use of pre-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV infection appears to be associated with an increased risk of infection by venereal agents. The correct recognition of these infections is crucial, not only for individual patients, but also in terms of public health. Furthermore, a diligent diagnostic assessment is key for an efficient therapeutic approach. Infectious proctitis (IP) predominantly occurs in individuals with a history of receptive anal exposure, being a frequent cause for referral to a gastroenterology specialist. The most frequently identified agents are Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Herpes simplex virus, and Treponema pallidum. This paper aims to provide a practice-oriented and up-todate review regarding the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to patients with suspected IP. The authors reviewed the most important issues in terms of clinical history, physical examination, and specific diagnostic and therapeutic methods. It is also highlighted the most important topics regarding vaccination, screening for other STIs and differential diagnosis with inflammatory bowel disease. Identification of high-risk groups, screening of potential STIs, and notification of diagnosed anorectal diseases are extremely important and essential to prevent transmission and other complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Afghanistan, Colombia and Myanmar are the world's leading heroin and cocaine producers and have also experienced prolonged periods of armed conflict. The link between armed conflict and drug markets is well established but how conflict impacts on the health and social determinants of people who use drugs is less clear. The aim was to investigate health outcomes and associated factors among people who use illicit drugs in Afghanistan, Colombia and Myanmar. Methods: We conducted a systematic review searching Medline, EMBASE, PsychINFO and Global Health databases using terms relating to Afghanistan, Colombia and Myanmar; illicit drug use (all modes of drug administration); health and influencing factors. Quality assessment was assessed with the Newcastle–Ottawa-Scale and papers were analysed narratively. Results: 35 studies were included in Afghanistan (n = 15), Colombia (n = 9) and Myanmar (n = 11). Health outcomes focused predominantly on HIV, Hepatitis C (HCV), Hepatitis B and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), with one study looking at human rights violations (defined as maltreatment, abuse and gender inequality). Drug use was predominantly injection of heroin, often alongside use of amphetamines (Myanmar), cocaine and cocaine-based derivatives (Colombia). Only one study measured the effect of a period of conflict suggesting this was linked to increased reporting of symptoms of STIs and sharing of needles/syringes among people who inject drugs. Findings show high levels of external and internal migration, alongside low-income and unemployment across the samples. External displacement was linked to injecting drugs and reduced access to needle/syringe programmes in Afghanistan, while initiation into injecting abroad was associated with increased risk of HCV infection. Few studies focused on gender-based differences or recruited women. Living in more impoverished rural areas was associated with increased risk of HIV infection. Conclusions: More research is needed to understand the impact of armed-conflict and drug production on the health of people who use drugs. The immediate scale-up of harm reduction services in these countries is imperative to minimize transmission of HIV/HCV and address harms associated with amphetamine use and other linked health and social care needs that people who use drugs may face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) men living in Canada share a heightened risk of infection by Human Immunodeficiency Virus and other sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs) and the associated risky behaviours such as suboptimal use of family planning services such as condom use. The African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) heterosexual men living in Canada are disproportionately exposed to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The present paper aims to assess the relationship between knowledge, attitude and use of condom with diagnosis of HIV and STIs among ACB heterosexual men in Ontario. Design and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on 430 participants consisting of black heterosexual men living two communities, Ottawa and Windsor in Ontario. The outcome variables were ever being diagnosed with HIV (Yes/No) and other STIs (Yes/No). Data were analysed using descriptive, and logistic regression techniques. Results: Findings indicated that 70.20% did not have good knowledge of HIV, 68.10% had positive attitude towards condom use, and 62.82% were not regular condom user. Men who reported experiencing difficulty in accessing healthcare services had significantly higher odds of reporting HIV and STI diagnosis. Men with positive attitude towards condom use had lower odds of both HIV (odds ratio= 0.48, 95%CI=0.30,0.76) and STI diagnosis (odds ratio= 0.27, 95%CI=0.08,0.90). Similarly, condom users also had lower odds of both HIV and (odds ratio= 0.21, 95%CI=0.09,0.49) STI diagnosis (odds ratio= 0.62, 95%CI=0.39,0.99). Conclusions: A large proportion of the sample with positive attitude to condom use was not a reflection of the large sample who did not have correct knowledge of HIV. Several factors were also found to be associated with heightened odds of being diagnosed with HIV and other STIs. The most notable of these factors were experiences of difficulty in accessing healthcare and utilisation of condoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For years, HIV activists in Canada have expressed serious concerns about the stigmatizing and sensational way that HIV criminalization is portrayed in the mainstream press. Discourse analyses of the content of news stories about HIV criminalization confirm that news reports of HIV criminal cases rely on sensational language and reproduce negative stereotypes of people living with HIV. This paper contributes to social justice scholarship in the area by building upon studies of news content to uncover how news reports of HIV criminalization are produced in the first place. Through institutional ethnographic interviews with journalists who produce news stories about HIV criminalization, this study brings into view that conditions of convergence journalism make it exceedingly difficult for reporters to disrupt the genre of crime stories about HIV criminalization in which stigmatizing discourses proliferate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: key populations and transgender people in particular are at a high risk of HIV infection. However, very little is known about risk behaviors of transgender people in Botswana. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of high-risk behaviors for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among transgender people in Botswana. Methods: data from the Botswana 2017 Biological and Behavioral Surveillance Survey of HIV/STIs among select key populations (BBSS-2) was used. The cross sectional survey documented behavioral risk factors for these infections. This paper only focused on the analysis of the transgender data. Descriptive analysis was done with IBM Statistical Software for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. Results: there were 56 transgender people identified of which 12 (21.4%) were transgender women. The median age was 24 (interquartile range (IQR) 22-28). Among transgender women, 2 (16.7%) reported concurrent sexual partners and 9 (75%) reported condom use at last intercourse. However, only 7 (58.3%) reported consistent lubricant use. About 45% of the respondents did not know the HIV status of their last male partner. Only one of the transgender women reported intercourse with at least 1 female in the last month. About a third reported that they had STI symptoms in the past year. Alcohol use was reported in 50% of respondents while 83% had disclosed gender identity and had been accepted by their families. However, 25% reported discrimination by a healthcare worker. Conclusion: the high-risk behaviors were frequent among transgender women. This study underlines the need for sustained efforts to reach this key population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The HIV pandemic impacts the lives of millions and despite the global coordinated response, innovative actions are still needed to end it. A major challenge is the added burden of coinfections such as viral hepatitis, tuberculosis and various sexually transmitted infections in terms of prevention, treatment and increased morbidity in individuals with HIV infection. A need for combination prevention strategies, tailored to high-risk key populations arises and technology-based interventions can be a valuable asset. The COVID-19 pandemic challenged the delivery of existing services and added stress to existing public health and clinical structures but also highlighted the potential of exploiting technical solutions for interventions regarding infectious diseases. In this paper we report the design process, results and evaluation findings from the pilots of 'RiskRadar'-a web and mobile application aiming to support combination prevention, testing and linkage to care for HIV, viral hepatitis, various sexually transmitted infections and tuberculosis.Methods: RiskRadar was developed for the INTEGRATE Joint Action's aim to improve, adapt and pilot innovative digital tools for combination prevention. RiskRadar was designed iteratively using informed end-user-oriented approaches. Emphasis was placed on the Risk Calculator that enables users to assess their risk of exposure to one or more of the four disease areas, make informed decisions to seek testing or care and adjust their behaviours ultimately aiming to harm/risk reduction. RiskRadar has been piloted in three countries, namely Croatia, Italy and Lithuania.Results: RiskRadar has been used 1347 times across all platforms so far. More than 90% of users have found RiskRadar useful and would use it again, especially the Risk Calculator component. Almost 49.25% are men and 29.85% are in the age group of 25-34. The application has scored 5.2/7 in the User Experience Questionnaire, where it is mainly described as "supportive" and "easy-to-use". The qualitative evaluation of RiskRadar also yielded positive feedback.Conclusions: Pilot results demonstrate above average satisfaction with RiskRadar and high user-reported usability scores, supporting the idea that technical interventions could significantly support combination prevention actions on Sexually Transmitted Infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexually transmitted infections (STI), including HIV infection, and intimate partner violence (IPV) are major public health problems that occur at high rates among African American women compared to women from other ethnic and racial groups. Using a syndemic framework, the objectives of this paper are to discuss the intersecting and synergistic effects of IPV, STI, and HIV infection, discuss social and health factors associated with high mortality and morbidity rates for Black women, and review effective evidenced-based interventions and strategies adapted to the unique needs of Black women. Effective intervention approaches that mitigate components of risk and enhance protective factors, especially at earlier ages, are critical. Given the multiple unique needs of Black women, sustainability and scale-up of effective interventions are imperative. Addressing challenges with cross national collaborations and challenges for investigators working with churches and community-based organizations that serve Black women are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]