Sexual healthPub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1071/SH24053
Condy Canuto, Jon Willis, Joseph Debattista, Judith A Dean, James Ward
{"title":"Chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing and positivity within an urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Service 2016-2021.","authors":"Condy Canuto, Jon Willis, Joseph Debattista, Judith A Dean, James Ward","doi":"10.1071/SH24053","DOIUrl":"10.1071/SH24053","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Background This study describes chlamydia and gonorrhoea testing, positivity, treatment, and retesting among individuals aged ≥15years attending an urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service during the period 2016-2021. Method Utilising routinely collected clinical data from the ATLAS program (a national sentinel surveillance network), a retrospective time series analysis was performed. The study assessed testing rates, positivity, treatment efficacy, retesting and trends over time within an urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service. Results Testing rates for chlamydia and gonorrhoea varied between 10 and 30% over the study period, and were higher among clients aged 15-29years and among females. Positivity rates for both infections varied by age, with clients aged 15-24years having higher positivity than older clients. Gonorrhoea positivity rates decreased after 2016. Treatment and retesting practices also showed sex disparities, with men having a slightly higher treatment rate within 7days, whereas females had significantly higher retesting rates within 2-4months, indicating differences in follow-up care between sexes. Conclusion The study emphasises the need for clinical and public health interventions within urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations to further reduce chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Prioritising improved access to testing, timely treatment and consistent retesting can significantly contribute to lowering STI prevalence and enhancing sexual health outcomes in these communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":22165,"journal":{"name":"Sexual health","volume":"22 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143067991","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sexual healthPub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1071/SH24165
Kathryn Wenham, Jo Durham, Amy B Mullens, Annette Brömdal, Joseph Debattista, Gianna Parma, Zhihong Gu, Armin Ariana, Charles F Gilks, Sara F E Bell, Judith A Dean
{"title":"Factors influencing experiences of non-consensual sex: results from a mixed data cross-sectional online survey of Australian university students.","authors":"Kathryn Wenham, Jo Durham, Amy B Mullens, Annette Brömdal, Joseph Debattista, Gianna Parma, Zhihong Gu, Armin Ariana, Charles F Gilks, Sara F E Bell, Judith A Dean","doi":"10.1071/SH24165","DOIUrl":"10.1071/SH24165","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Background The high prevalence of non-consensual sex, including physical force, verbal threats, intimidation, and/or verbal coercion and rape among university students, has prompted urgent calls for action from governments, statutory, and university bodies. This research aims to identify key factors students see as contributing to non-consensual sex with a view to developing effective strategies to address these issues. Methods An online cross-sectional survey was administered to 4291 university students attending universities in south-east Queensland, Australia. Participants were recruited via email, print media, and face-to-face invitations. The survey contained closed and open-ended questions on a range of sexual health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours, including non-consensual sexual experiences. A subset of students (n =199) who responded 'yes' to engaging in sexual acts against their consent were the primary participants for this paper. Descriptive statistical analysis and thematic analysis, employing the theory of planned behaviour, were conducted using the quantitative and qualitative data regarding non-consensual sex, respectively. Results Immediate and longer-term fear and partner eagerness were the most commonly identified influences on non-consensual sex. An inability to give consent due to lack of consciousness or intoxication were also frequently cited factors contributing to non-consensual sex. Conclusions Interventions acknowledging and addressing sociocultural factors are needed. Sexuality and relationship education encompassing effective communication, relationship boundaries, and safe use of alcohol and drugs could substantially reduce the incidence of non-consensual sex. Importantly, such education should be non-judgmental and place greater responsibility on perpetrators than victim-survivors.</p>","PeriodicalId":22165,"journal":{"name":"Sexual health","volume":"22 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143060572","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sexual healthPub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1071/SH24075
Condy Canuto, Judith A Dean, Joseph Debattista, Jon Willis, Federica Barzi, Jonathan Leitch, James Ward
{"title":"Cascade of testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea inclusive of an annual health check in an urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service.","authors":"Condy Canuto, Judith A Dean, Joseph Debattista, Jon Willis, Federica Barzi, Jonathan Leitch, James Ward","doi":"10.1071/SH24075","DOIUrl":"10.1071/SH24075","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Background To gain an understanding of chlamydia (CT) and gonorrhoea (NG) testing conducted within an annual health check (AHC) and in standard clinical consultations for clients aged 15-29years attending an urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service in the period 2016-2021. Methods De-identified electronic medical record data were extracted and analysed on CT and NG testing by sex, age, Indigenous status and the context of testing (conducted within an AHC or not). An access, testing, and diagnosis cascade for CT and NG, inclusive of an AHC, was constructed. Results Combined testing within an AHC and outside an AHC for CT and NG ranged between 30 and 50%, except for the year 2021. Males were twice as likely to receive a CT and NG test within an AHC consultation as females. Females were almost equally likely to have a CT and NG test, both as part of an AHC consult and during other clinical consultations. Females had the highest CT positivity in 2018 (11%) and 2019 (11%), with a dip in 2020 (5%), whereas NG diagnoses remained stable at 2%. Conclusion The study demonstrates the potential of the AHC to facilitate greater coverage of CT and NG testing in an urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service. Screening conducted within an AHC alongside screening in clinical consultations might be enough to reduce CT prevalence over a sustained period.</p>","PeriodicalId":22165,"journal":{"name":"Sexual health","volume":"22 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143067982","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sexual healthPub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1071/SH24184
Stephanie C Munari, Jane L Goller, Jacqueline Coombe, Ana Orozco, Sarah Eddy, Jane Hocking, Margaret Hellard, Megan S C Lim
{"title":"Young people's preferences and motivations for STI partner notification: observational findings from the 2024 Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll survey.","authors":"Stephanie C Munari, Jane L Goller, Jacqueline Coombe, Ana Orozco, Sarah Eddy, Jane Hocking, Margaret Hellard, Megan S C Lim","doi":"10.1071/SH24184","DOIUrl":"10.1071/SH24184","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Background Partner notification is an important step in the control of sexually transmissible infections (STIs). STIs remain at high rates among young people and can have serious reproductive consequences if left untreated. This study aimed to determine the preferences and motivations for partner notification among young people in Australia. Methods Quantitative and free-text qualitative data were collected through the 2024 Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll survey, an annual cross-sectional survey conducted among people aged 15-29years old in Victoria, Australia. Respondents were recruited using convenience sampling through social media advertisements. Counts and proportions were calculated for the preferences and motivations for partner notification by regular and casual sexual partners as well as methods of communication. Inductive content analysis was used to analyse free-text responses. Results The partner notification module of the survey was completed by 1163 people (60.3% identified as women, 40.2% as heterosexual) who provided a total of 1720 free-text responses. The majority, 1056 (90.8%) stated that they would notify their sexual partners and 1142 (98.2%) would want to be notified by a sexual partner of an STI risk. Qualitative analysis highlighted that respondents felt that partner notification is the responsible thing to do to look after their own and their partner's health and protect others by reducing transmission. Few stated that embarrassment and fear of repercussions may make them less likely to notify their partners or that it would depend on the type of relationship. Most preferred to notify regular partners face-to-face (941, 80.9%) and casual partners via text message (785, 67.5%). Conclusion Almost all young people want to notify and be notified by partners of an STI risk regardless of age, gender or sexual identity. Tailoring resources by communication method and partner type is one way in which practitioners and public health authorities can support young people in undertaking this important step in STI control.</p>","PeriodicalId":22165,"journal":{"name":"Sexual health","volume":"22 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142955421","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sexual healthPub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1071/SH24142
Teralynn Ludwick, Olivia Walsh, Ethan T Cardwell, Christopher K Fairley, Jane Tomnay, Jane S Hocking, Fabian Y S Kong
{"title":"Health provider perspectives on establishing service linkages for treatment and follow-up from an Australian, web-based STI testing service: a qualitative study.","authors":"Teralynn Ludwick, Olivia Walsh, Ethan T Cardwell, Christopher K Fairley, Jane Tomnay, Jane S Hocking, Fabian Y S Kong","doi":"10.1071/SH24142","DOIUrl":"10.1071/SH24142","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Background Web-based, testing for sexually transmitted infections (STI) is becoming increasingly available. However, treatment pathways from web-based services are often not well-coordinated, contributing to treatment delays and access gaps. This study investigated clinician perspectives on building service linkages with a new, web-based, STI testing service in Victoria, Australia. Methods We interviewed 16 clinicians from regional/outer metropolitan areas who are part of government-funded, primary care programs to strengthen sexual health services in Victoria. Interviews enquired about: clinician attitudes, considerations for managing referrals, compatibility with clinic systems, and broader policy/healthcare system factors. Results Clinicians were enthusiastic, perceived web-based services as complementary (not competition), and believed local treatment pathways were important for patient choice/access. They felt that administrative aspects of handling referrals from an online service could be managed without problems. To inform treatment, clinicians recommended that referral letters from the web-based service list all tests ordered, dates, and complete results. Tensions were raised regarding the utility and appropriateness of including treatment guidelines and pre-prepared prescriptions in referral letters. Respondents reported that most clinics did not stock injectable antibiotics, raising concerns by clinicians about potential treatment delays and privacy challenges related to patient-led procurement at pharmacies. Conclusions Our study suggests that clinicians are receptive to local treatment pathways being designed as part of web-based STI testing services, and strengthened service linkages could improve client access, particularly outside urban areas. Capacity-building and additional resourcing of local partner clinics may be needed to support decentralised, patient-centred treatment pathways.</p>","PeriodicalId":22165,"journal":{"name":"Sexual health","volume":"22 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143029379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sexual healthPub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1071/SH24170
Kari Dee Vallury, Amanda Asher, Olivia Sarri, Nicola Sheeran
{"title":"Characteristics and determinants of quality non-directive pregnancy options counselling: a scoping review.","authors":"Kari Dee Vallury, Amanda Asher, Olivia Sarri, Nicola Sheeran","doi":"10.1071/SH24170","DOIUrl":"10.1071/SH24170","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Non-directive pregnancy options counselling (POC) is a core component of comprehensive reproductive health care for pregnant people wanting support in making a pregnancy outcome decision. Approximately one quarter of people with unintended pregnancies and people seeking abortion care seek POC. This study synthesises global evidence on access to and characteristics of quality non-directive POC. We searched five health databases in line with PRISMA guidelines. Primary research articles (published in English, 2011-2023) were included if they addressed provision, experiences, or characteristics of non-directive POC. Data were synthesised and organised thematically. Twelve of the 4021 unique citations identified were included in the review. Four themes were generated: (1) characteristics of quality non-directive POC; (2) provider-level determinants of care quality and provision; (3) patient level factors impacting the desire for and receipt of care; and (4) organisational setting and legal determinants of provision and quality of care. Abortion-related values and policies at the provider, organisational and legislative levels were the most common and salient determinants of POC access and quality. Quality POC includes non-directive, empathetic, compassionate discussions about all pregnancy options that convey non-judgement and respect. However, we identified provider, organisational setting, and legal level determinants that disproportionately impact access to POC for marginalised pregnant people. Research regarding POC access and quality outside of the USA is needed. Upskilling primary care and other health professionals in POC and embedding referral pathways to non-directive POC and abortion care will support Australia to achieve its commitment to universal access to reproductive health care by 2030.</p>","PeriodicalId":22165,"journal":{"name":"Sexual health","volume":"22 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143067985","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sexual healthPub Date : 2024-12-01DOI: 10.1071/SH24166
Shivani Fox-Lewis, Rose Forster, Indira Basu, Matthew Blakiston, Gary McAuliffe
{"title":"The association between antimicrobial resistance mutations and treatment outcomes for <i>Mycoplasma genitalium</i> infections from 2018 to 2022: a cross-sectional study from Auckland, New Zealand.","authors":"Shivani Fox-Lewis, Rose Forster, Indira Basu, Matthew Blakiston, Gary McAuliffe","doi":"10.1071/SH24166","DOIUrl":"10.1071/SH24166","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Background New Zealand has among the highest rates of antimicrobial resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium in the world. The aim of this study was to correlate treatment outcomes with 23S rRNA and parC mutations associated with macrolide and fluroquinolone resistance, respectively, in a cohort of sexual health clinic patients. Methods Laboratory and clinical data were collected for patients with M. genitalium infections attending Auckland Sexual Health Service between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2022, who had a test-of-cure performed within 21-90days of a treatment episode. Treatment outcomes were correlated with the presence or absence of resistance mutations and treatment regimen utilised. Results A total of 95 infections from 93 patients met the study inclusion criteria. Eighty of 93 (86%) infections with available data were macrolide resistant, with 20 of 74 (27%) having both macrolide resistance and parC mutations. Sixteen of 20 (80%) of parC mutations were G248T (S83I), three of 20 (15%) G259T (D87Y) and one of 20 (5%) A247C (S83R). All macrolide-susceptible infections treated with doxycycline and azithromycin were cured (12/12), as were all macrolide-resistant infections without parC mutations treated with doxycycline and moxifloxacin (37/37). Cure rates for macrolide-resistant infections with parC mutations were lower, with variable and often multiple treatment courses; eight of 16 (50%) were cured using one course of sequential doxycycline and moxifloxacin, seven of nine (78%) with one course of minocycline, zero of two (0%) with pristinamycin and one of one (100%) with doxycycline and sitafloxacin. Conclusions Our findings highlight the differing treatment outcomes for infections with and without parC mutations, offering opportunities to refine management of M. genitalium infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":22165,"journal":{"name":"Sexual health","volume":"21 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142787079","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sexual healthPub Date : 2024-12-01DOI: 10.1071/SH24173
Jiajun Sun, Bingyang She, Phyu M Latt, Jason J Ong, Xianglong Xu, Yining Bao, Christopher K Fairley, Lin Zhang, Weiming Tang, Lei Zhang
{"title":"Comparing the impact of sexualised drug use with and without chemsex on sexual behaviours among men who have sex with men in China: a national multi-site cross-sectional study.","authors":"Jiajun Sun, Bingyang She, Phyu M Latt, Jason J Ong, Xianglong Xu, Yining Bao, Christopher K Fairley, Lin Zhang, Weiming Tang, Lei Zhang","doi":"10.1071/SH24173","DOIUrl":"10.1071/SH24173","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Background Sexualised drug use (SDU) is common in men who have sex with men (MSM). Chemsex, a form of psychoactive SDU, is a strong risk factor for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We investigated the associations of SDU and chemsex with the sexual behaviours in Chinese MSM. Methods From 23 March 2022 to 22 April 2022, we recruited participants (male, >18 years old) via WeChat across five Chinese cities to an online cross-sectional survey on sexual behaviour preferences, pre-exposure prophylaxis, SDU, and chemsex. One-way ANOVA and chi-squared tests were used to compare sexual behaviour patterns across the groups. Results We included the responses from 796 eligible participants, who were aged 18-70 years, and mostly single. Three groups of participants were identified, the largest was the 'non-SDU group' (71.7%), followed by the 'SDU without chemsex' group (19.7%), and the 'chemsex' group (8.5%). Poppers (8.4%) were the most used drugs in the 'chemsex' group. The 'chemsex' group also had the highest number of sexual partners, and reported the highest frequency of self-masturbation (38.2%). The'chemsex' group also exhibited the highest Shannon diversity index value of 2.32 (P =0.03), indicating a greater diversity of sexual acts. For sequential sex act pairs, the 'chemsex' group was more likely to self-masturbate than perform receptive oral sex, perform receptive oral sex than self-masturbate, being masturbated or perform receptive oral sex than being rimmed by another man. Conclusion Our findings identify the urgent need for targeted HIV/STI interventions for MSM who practice chemsex.</p>","PeriodicalId":22165,"journal":{"name":"Sexual health","volume":"21 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142819259","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sexual healthPub Date : 2024-12-01DOI: 10.1071/SH24016
Yiwen Diao, Yan Sun, Joseph D Tucker, Fan Yang
{"title":"Sexual dissatisfaction and its association with health status among older adults in China: a nationwide study.","authors":"Yiwen Diao, Yan Sun, Joseph D Tucker, Fan Yang","doi":"10.1071/SH24016","DOIUrl":"10.1071/SH24016","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Background Most population-based sexual health research in China excludes older adults. To fill the gap, this study aims to characterise sexual dissatisfaction among people aged 50years or older from a nationwide, population-representative sample and to explore its association with physical, mental, and self-reported overall health indicators. Methods Data were collected as part of the China Family Panel Studies in 2020, led by the Institute of Social Science Survey of Peking University. Multivariable logistic regressions with robust estimators were used to investigate the association between sexual dissatisfaction and health indicators and potential demographic confounders. Results Among the 8222 partnered Chinese adults aged 50years or older (median age: 59, IQR: 54-66, 47% identified as women), 78% (6380/8222) reported being satisfied or very satisfied in their sex life. After adjusting for demographic variables, poor self-rated health status (aOR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.42-1.77), experiencing depression symptoms (aOR: 2.02, 95% CI: 1.80-2.26), and having chronic diseases (aOR: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.07-1.36) were positively associated with sexual dissatisfaction in multivariable analyses. Among sociodemographic factors, younger age, female gender, and education level at senior high school or above were more likely to experience sexual dissatisfaction (all P Conclusion Based on our sample, more than one in five Chinese adults aged 50years or older might face sexual dissatisfaction. Comorbidities common in older age likely exacerbate sexual dissatisfaction. Greater attention to sexual satisfaction research and sexual health programs among older adults is needed with respect to gender differences and chronic disease comorbidities.</p>","PeriodicalId":22165,"journal":{"name":"Sexual health","volume":"21 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142839074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sexual healthPub Date : 2024-12-01DOI: 10.1071/SH24101
Mary Bridget Waters, Lindley A Barbee, Kevin Hybiske, Katherine Newman, Ren Ikeda, Angela LeClair, Matthew R Golden, Olusegun O Soge, Lisa E Manhart, Christine M Khosropour
{"title":"Comparison of IgG serum antibodies, electronic health records and self-report in estimating past infection with <i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i> in a cohort of men who have sex with men.","authors":"Mary Bridget Waters, Lindley A Barbee, Kevin Hybiske, Katherine Newman, Ren Ikeda, Angela LeClair, Matthew R Golden, Olusegun O Soge, Lisa E Manhart, Christine M Khosropour","doi":"10.1071/SH24101","DOIUrl":"10.1071/SH24101","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Background The best method for measuring a history of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) infections is unknown. We examined the reliability of three methods as markers of past CT infections: IgG serum antibodies, the electronic health record (EHR) and self-report. Methods This cross-sectional study used data from a cohort study of 122 MSM in King County, Washington, United States. Sera were tested for IgG using the mixed CT peptide enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Participant data for past CT diagnoses were extracted from the EHR. Self-report of past CT was collected via survey. We calculated positive and negative percent agreements of CT history using total IgG serum antibodies to CT, past EHR diagnosis and self-report of past CT as reference measures when they were compared with one another. Results Of those who were IgG seropositive, only 41.5% had a past diagnosis of CT in their EHRs, but 74.4% self-reported a history of CT. The majority (92.7%) of participants who had a diagnosis of CT in their EHRs reported a past CT infection. Conclusions Self-report in combination with IgG serum antibodies to CT may be a more reliable indicator of past CT than EHRs in settings without comprehensive EHRs.</p>","PeriodicalId":22165,"journal":{"name":"Sexual health","volume":"21 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11913551/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142772327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}