International journal of STD & AIDS
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Editorial Review
A systematic review of strategies for partner notification for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
This review compares the effects of various sexually transmitted disease (STD) partner-notification strategies. Using review methods endorsed by the Cochrane Collaboration, it updates previous reviews, and addresses some of their methodological limitations. ⋯ The review found moderately strong evidence that: (1) provider referral alone, or the choice between patient and provider referral, when compared with patient referral among patients with HIV or any STD, increases the rate of partners presenting for medical evaluation; (2) contract referral, when compared with patient referral among patients with gonorrhoea, results in more partners presenting for medical evaluation; (3) verbal, nurse-given health education together with patient-centred counselling by lay workers, when compared with standard care among patients with any STD, results in small increases in the rate of partners treated. The review concludes that there is a need for evaluations of interventions combining provider training and patient education, for evaluations conducted in developing countries, and for the measurement of potential harmful effects.
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Editorial Review
A systematic review of strategies for partner notification for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
This review compares the effects of various sexually transmitted disease (STD) partner-notification strategies. Using review methods endorsed by the Cochrane Collaboration, it updates previous reviews, and addresses some of their methodological limitations. ⋯ The review found moderately strong evidence that: (1) provider referral alone, or the choice between patient and provider referral, when compared with patient referral among patients with HIV or any STD, increases the rate of partners presenting for medical evaluation; (2) contract referral, when compared with patient referral among patients with gonorrhoea, results in more partners presenting for medical evaluation; (3) verbal, nurse-given health education together with patient-centred counselling by lay workers, when compared with standard care among patients with any STD, results in small increases in the rate of partners treated. The review concludes that there is a need for evaluations of interventions combining provider training and patient education, for evaluations conducted in developing countries, and for the measurement of potential harmful effects.
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Mycoplasmas are the smallest free-living organisms, widespread in nature. Several mycoplasma species have been isolated from humans. For 6 of them: Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, M. primatum, M. genitalium, M. spermatophilum and M. penetrans, the genital tract is the main site of colonization. ⋯ M. genitalium could be considered as a potential cause of sexually transmitted urethritis in men, including men with persistent or recurrent urethritis. More studies are expected to ascertain the role of M. genitalium in the female genital tract. Evidence-based data are needed to decide whether current non-gonococcal infection treatment principles are applicable or not for M. genitalium infections.
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Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) has been linked to a variety of health problems in adolescence and adulthood, including risky sexual behaviour and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This article reviews the literature, including findings from a recent intervention study of high-risk, adult women and offers suggestions for professionals working in STD/HIV prevention.
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Chronic vulval pain can have multi-factorial causes. One of its leading causes, vulvar vestibulitis, is reviewed. A study of vulvar vestibulitis-its epidemiology, aetiology, histopathology, diagnosis and treatment is undertaken. More research is needed on this condition as it is important to make an accurate diagnosis and thus raise awareness before providing proper treatment.