Sexually transmitted diseases
-
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by human papillomavirus (HPV)-related outcomes and would benefit from HPV vaccination in adolescence. We assessed HPV vaccine attitudes, uptake, and barriers in this high-risk young MSM (YMSM) population. ⋯ Health care providers need to use routine points of contact with YMSM patients to vaccinate against HPV. These data indicated missed opportunities to vaccinate YMSM who are open to HPV vaccination. In the future, HCPs of YMSM should be careful to avoid missed opportunities to vaccinate.
-
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) remains an important source of preventable reproductive morbidity, but no recent studies have singularly focused on US sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in relationship to established guidelines for diagnosis and treatment. ⋯ Compliance with CDC guidelines was documented for many of the women with PID, though not all. Our findings underscore the need for continued efforts to optimize quality of care and adherence to current guidance for PID management given the anticipated expertise of providers in these settings.
-
Multicenter Study
Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis among women reporting extragenital exposures.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends pharyngeal screening of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) and rectal screening of GC and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) in HIV-infected and at-risk men who have sex with men (MSM). There are currently no recommendations to routinely screen women at extragenital sites. We define the prevalence of extragenital GC and CT in women attending 2 urban sexually transmitted disease clinics in Baltimore City and compare it with the prevalence of extragenital infections in MSM and men who have sex with women. ⋯ Although the prevalence of extragenital gonorrhea and chlamydia is highest in MSM, a significant number of GC and CT infections in young women would be missed with genital-only testing. Cost-effectiveness analyses are needed to help inform national guidelines on extragenital screening in young women.
-
HIV and syphilis are disproportionately common among transgender individuals globally, yet few studies have investigated transgender HIV/syphilis risk and testing in low- and middle-income nations. We conducted an online survey of men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender individuals to examine sexual behaviors and HIV/syphilis testing in China. ⋯ Transgender individuals have suboptimal HIV and syphilis testing rates in China. Given the substantial risk behaviors and burden of HIV/STI in the general Chinese MSM population and a lack of knowledge about transgender individuals, enhanced HIV/syphilis testing programs for transgender individuals in China are needed.
-
For many individuals, the implementation of the US Affordable Care Act will involve a transition from public to private health care venues for sexually transmitted infection (STI) care and prevention. To anticipate challenges primary care providers may face and to inform the future role of publicly funded STI clinics, it is useful to consider their current functions. ⋯ Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Network clinics served populations with high STI rates. Given experience with diagnoses of both nonreportable and reportable STIs and extragenital chlamydia and gonorrhea testing, STI clinics comprise a critical specialty network in STI diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.