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The transition process from pediatric to adult health care for adolescents with chronic diseases is always challenging and can be even more so for adolescents with HIV disease. The purpose of this study was to describe characteristics and current practices surrounding the transition of adolescents from the clinics of the Adolescent Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions to adult medical care. This report focuses on the processes of transition, perceived barriers and facilitators, and anecdotal reports of successes and failures. Practice models used to assist adolescents during transition to adult medical care are described. Interviews were conducted with 19 key informants from 14 Adolescent Trials Network clinics. Findings revealed no consistent definition of “successful” transition, little consensus among the sites regarding specific elements of a transition program, and a lack of mechanisms to assess outcomes. Sites that viewed transition as a process rather than an event consistently described more structured program elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the benefits that community engagement offers. It notes that the benefits of community engagement can increase both effectiveness and dissemination of new strategies and might improve the participation in trials through community support and community referrals. It also notes that community engagement has two examples, including the Connect to Protect in the U.S. and the South African Studies on HIV in Adolescents project.

The article presents a study conducted by Jacky M. Jennings and Jonathan M. Ellen regarding the condition of young people with HIV and their partners who are at risk of acquiring HIV secondary transmission in the U.S. The researchers have divided their 409 HIV-positive young respondents into two subgroups such as men-who-have-sex-with-men and (MSM) and women-who-have-sex-with-men (WSM) ages 13 to 24 years from 15 Adolescent Medicine Trials Network clinical areas. These respondents have undergone Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interviews (ACASI) survey along with the set of questionnaires regarding their partners. Moreover, research shows that the HIV transmission risk behaviors among young MSM and WSM were high.

The article attempts to determine whether shifts in syphilis epidemic phases are associated with changes between or within high-risk populations, using the data from Baltimore, Maryland. The authors retrospectively define epidemic phases and compare epidemiologic profiles of syphilis cases infected during epidemic phase. Results show that the shift from a decline to growth phase in Baltimore was mostly because of increases in morbidity among non-African American men who have sex with men (MSM) and young, noninjecting drug-using women. They underscore the need for real-time investigation of potential tipping points to ensure interventions are properly focused at the beginning of any potential growth phase.

The article presents an in-depth study of the acceptability of urine chlamydia testing among asymptomatic men and their providers. The study involved asymptomatic men who were offered free nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) and characteristics of men who accepted were compared with those who declined. Asymptomatic men are likely to accept testing depending on venue and approach and barriers exist for men and providers.

Goal: The goat of this study was to examine the risk for repeat sexually transmitted infections (STIs) associated with reducing the number of sex partners who come from within the social networks of males 13 to 25 years old in Baltimore, Maryland, and Denver, Colorado. Study: Asymptomatic males diagnosed with chlamydia and/or gonorrhea as part of an asymptomatic chlamydia and gonorrhea male screening project were recruited and interviewed about their sexual behaviors and their perceptions of social characteristics and sexual behaviors of their sex partners. We characterized the sex partners of each participant as belonging to or not belonging to his social network. We examined whether a decrease in percentage of sex partners who were in the participant's social network was associated with repeat infection. Results: There were 47 participants in Baltimore and 92 in Denver. In both cities, there was a trend toward a finding that decreasing the percentage of sex partners belonging to a participant's social network was protective for repeat STI. Conclusion: These data suggest that interventions may need to be designed to reduce the prevalence of infection in the social networks of infected men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although physical attributes have been shown to be associated with sexually transmitted disease (SD) rates, there is little information about the association between social attributes and STD rates. Goal: The objective of this study was to determine the association between gonorrhea prevalence and perceptions of social cohesion in impoverished, urban neighborhoods. Study Design: We conducted a street-based survey of 18- to 24year-olds residing in selected census block groups in Baltimore City, Maryland. Census block groups eligible for selection were defined as impoverished (greater than 20% in poverty) and unstable (lowest 25th percentile for stability). From the eligible census block groups, 5 from high gonorrhea rate (greater than the 75th percentile) census block groups and 5 from the lower gonorrhea rate (lowest 25th percentile to equal or greater than the 75th percentile) census block groups were randomly selected. Participants within the 10 selected census block groups were recruited using a street-intercept method. Participants were asked about perceived social cohesion and control. Results: Results showed that for young adults 18 to 24 years of age residing in high gonorrhea census block groups, the mean social cohesion index scores were 1.7 points lower than mean social cohesion index scores of the participants residing in the low gonorrhea census block groups (P <0.01). Conclusion: Future research needs to be conducted to determine the temporal association between gonorrhea prevalence and local social cohesion dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determines if there were any demographic, behavioral and clinical differences between clients seen aboard a mobile sexually transmitted disease (STD)/HIV clinic compared with those seen in a traditional municipal STD/HIV health clinic for receipt of STD/HIV services. Key issues of interest; Analysis of pertinent topics and relevant issues; Implications on studies of acquired immune deficiency syndromes.

Determines whether partner-specific measures of perception of risk for sexually transmitted diseases predict partner-specific condom use six months later among high-risk and low-risk youth. Condom self-efficacy; Attitudes about condoms; Behavioral measures.

Provides information on a study to determine the degree to which racial/ethnic differences in sexual behaviors account for Africa-American adolescents' higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Methodology used to conduct the study; Results of the study; Discussion on the results; Conclusion reached.

Determines whether personal and/or a partner's use of crack cocaine is associated with the diagnosis of early syphilis or gonorrhea independent of high-risk sex behaviors. Suggestion that the use of crack cocaine characterizes sexual networks at risk for syphilis; STD risk-related sexual behaviors.

The article explores the systems approach to improve screening of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in sexually active youth in urban primary care settings in the U.S. It states that the systems approach is designed to disseminate the revised recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for HIV testing in healthcare setting. The authors examine whether the approach would result in increased HIV screening tests performed on sexually active youth.

The article presents a study on the pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) patients' cost of medical care and the factors affecting its increase. It says that the study used the medical record of PID patients with age ranging from 12 to 21 years old from a university hospital in the U.S. The result shows that PID outpatient cost 763 dollars in 2009 while inpatient ranges from 5,817 to 8,117 dollars. It adds that outpatient setting is cost effective than that of emergency department (ED).

The article reports on the evaluation of supplementary cueing as a technique to increase recall of sex partners. It discusses that volunteers at a clinic in Brazil were asked to freely recall all regular and casual sex partners. It infers that the cue technique can improve sexual partners' recall in cultural contexts different than the United States because individuals already reporting several partners before the cue. An overview on the testing in adolescents and young adults receiving sexually transmitted testing in an urban primary care setting.

The article discusses the use of venue-based sampling in sexually transmitted disease (STD) research. It discusses the results of a study on the prevalence of sexual behaviors and sexually transmitted infections among a sample of youth recruited through venue-based and network sampling approaches form working-class neighborhoods in Atlanta, Georgia.

Editorial. Comments on several articles about sexually transmitted disease (STD). Sex behavior of a birth cohort of women and men; Disease rates; STD prevention.