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Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a perturbation of vaginal flora characterized by reduced levels of lactobacilli and concomitant overgrowth of anaerobic bacterial species. BV is highly prevalent and associated with multiple adverse outcomes, including enhanced human immunodeficiency virus transmission. Because recent reports reveal that herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection may increase BV risk, we initiated a systematic review and meta-analysis of the link between HSV-2 infection and BV., Methods: We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases to identify articles posted before 1 December 2014. Two screeners independently reviewed the titles and abstracts of all identified articles, reviewed the full text of articles deemed potentially eligible, and extracted data from 14 cross-sectional and 3 prospective studies. Using random-effects models, we computed separate pooled estimates for cross-sectional and prospective studies., Results: The pooled odds ratio for cross-sectional studies was 1.60 (95% confidence interval, 1.32-1.94). Stronger support for the causal effect of HSV-2 infection on BV risk was revealed by the summary relative risk for the prospective studies, which was 1.55 (95% confidence interval, 1.30-1.84), with minimal heterogeneity (I(2) = 0)., Conclusions: These analyses imply that HSV-2 infection is an important BV risk factor. Pharmacologic HSV-2 suppression may reduce BV incidence and BV-associated adverse events., (© The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Changes in the rates of condom use and number of sexual partners were evaluated among 140 female sex workers in Kibera, Kenya, participating in a 6-month study of diaphragm safety and acceptability for prevention of sexually transmitted infections conducted in 2004-2005. Analyses were stratified by partner type. Multivariable Tobit regression modeling was used to assess the association between study visit and proportion of acts protected. Participants completed 140 baseline visits and 390 bimonthly follow-up visits. The mean percentage of coital acts reported as protected by a condom increased from 56% at baseline to 68% at the 6-month visit (P < 0.01). Similar increases were observed for condom use by all partner types. Additionally, the mean number of sexual partners decreased over the study. Furthermore, consistent (i.e., 100%) diaphragm use during follow-up was associated with a higher proportion of coital acts protected by a condom in analyses adjusted for study visit and coital frequency. These findings suggest that, despite concerns that introduction of the diaphragm would result in more risky sexual behaviors, reported condom use increased and number of partners decreased.

Challenges in the accurate measurement of sexual behavior in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention research are well documented and have prompted discussion about whether valid assessments are possible. Audio computer-assisted self-interviewing (ACASI) may increase the validity of self-reported behavioral data. In 2006-2007, Zimbabwean women participated in a randomized, cross-sectional study that compared self-reports of recent vaginal sex and condom use collected through ACASI or face-to-face interviewing (FTFI) with a validated objective biomarker of recent semen exposure (prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels). Of 910 study participants, 196 (21.5%) tested positive for PSA, an indication of semen exposure during the previous 2 days. Of these 196 participants, 23 (11.7%) reported no sex in the previous 2 days, with no difference in reported sexual activity between interview modes (12.5% ACASI vs. 10.9% FTFI; Fisher's exact test: P = 0.72). In addition, 71 PSA-positive participants (36.2%) reported condom-protected vaginal sex only; their reports also indicated no difference between interview modes (33.7% ACASI vs. 39.1% FTFI; P = 0.26). Only 52% of PSA-positive participants reported unprotected sex during the previous 2 days. Self-report was a poor predictor of recent sexual activity and condom use in this study, regardless of interview mode, providing evidence that such data should be interpreted cautiously.

Background: With the recent US Food and Drug Administration approval of a combination oral contraceptive that causes a withdrawal bleed every 3 months instead of monthly, avoidance of menstruation through extended or continuous administration (>28 days of active pills) of combined oral contraceptives may become more commonplace for reasons of personal preference rather than limited to treatment of menstrual-associated medical disorders., Methods: The review aimed to compare contraceptive efficacy, compliance, continuation, satisfaction, bleeding profiles, and menstrual symptoms of combined oral contraceptives with continuous dosing (>28 days of active pills) versus traditional cyclic dosing (21 days of active pills and 7 days of placebo). We searched five computerized databases as well as reference lists of relevant articles for randomized controlled trials (RCT) using continuous or extended combined oral contraceptives for contraception. Two reviewers independently extracted data from eligible articles., Results: Six RCT met inclusion criteria and were of good quality. Contraceptive efficacy and compliance were similar between groups. Discontinuation overall, and for bleeding problems, was not uniformly higher in either group. When studied, participants reported high satisfaction with both dosing regimens. Five out of the six studies found that bleeding patterns were either equivalent or improved with continuous-dosing regimens. The continuous-dosing group had greater improvement of menstrual-associated symptoms (headaches, genital irritation, tiredness, bloating, and menstrual pain)., Conclusions: The variations in pill type and time-interval for continuous dosing make direct comparisons between regimens unfeasible. To allow for comparisons, future studies should choose a previously researched pill and dosing regimen. More attention needs to be directed towards participant satisfaction and menstruation-associated symptoms.

Background: The review aimed to compare the effectiveness, safety and acceptability of vasectomy techniques for male sterilization., Methods: We searched five computerized databases and reference lists of relevant articles and book chapters for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) comparing vasectomy techniques. Two reviewers independently extracted data from eligible articles., Results: Two poor-quality trials compared vas occlusion with clips versus a conventional technique, and four poor-quality trials examined vas irrigation with water versus no irrigation or irrigation with euflavine. No significant differences regarding the primary outcome of time to azoospermia were found. However, one trial reported fewer median number of ejaculations to azoospermia with euflavine rather than water irrigation. An interim report of a high-quality trial comparing vasectomy with and without fascial interposition found more azoospermia with fascial interposition but also more surgical difficulties., Conclusions: No conclusions can be reached regarding the effectiveness, safety and acceptability of vas occlusion techniques or vas irrigation since only low-quality, underpowered studies were available. Fascial interposition had improved vasectomy success but also increased surgical difficulty. High-quality, adequately reported RCTs are required. More work is also needed in the standardization of follow-up protocols, evaluation of vasectomy success and failure, recanalization and analytical methods.