International Journal of STD and AIDS This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Sexual health risks, service use, and views of rapid point-of-care testing among men who have sex with men attending saunas: a cross-sectional survey
This study aimed to increase understanding of sexual risk-taking behaviour, service use, and attitudes to point-of-care testing among MSM sauna clients. Data were collected within two saunas for MSM in south west England using a self-completion survey (n = 134). Though this sample of MSM sauna clients are at high risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection, the testing frequency among the majority of those reporting unprotected anal intercourse is not in keeping with national guidelines. For almost all participants the introduction of rapid point-of-care testing for both genital and blood-borne infection was likely ...
Source: International Journal of STD and AIDS - February 11, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Horwood, J., Ingle, S. M., Burton, D., Woodman-Bailey, A., Horner, P., Jeal, N. Tags: Original research articles Source Type: research

Sex workers, condoms, and mobility among men in Uzbekistan: implications for HIV transmission
In this study, men who reported mobility were compared to non-mobile men in regard to paying for sex and condom use during paid sex. The sample included 2333 men between the ages of 15 and 59 in Uzbekistan. Generalised linear models were used to assess the relationship between mobility, paid sex, and condom use while adjusting for possible confounders. Of the total sample, 103 (4.4%) reported engaging in paid sex and 43 (42%) reported using condoms while engaging in paid sex. Mobile men were found to have more than three times the odds of paid sex than non-mobile men (OR: 3.209; 95% CI: 2.481, 4.150; p < 0.001). Mobile ...
Source: International Journal of STD and AIDS - February 11, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Smolak, A., El-Bassel, N., Malin, A., Terlikbayeva, A., Samatova, S. Tags: Original research articles Source Type: research

2015 UK national guideline for the management of infection with Chlamydia trachomatis
This guideline offers recommendations on the diagnostic tests, treatment regimens and health promotion principles needed for the effective management of Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection. It covers the management of the initial presentation, as well the prevention of transmission and future infection. The guideline is aimed at individuals aged 16 years and older presenting to healthcare professionals working in departments offering Level 3 care in sexually transmitted infections management within the UK. However, the principles of the recommendations should be adopted across all levels, using local care pathways wher...
Source: International Journal of STD and AIDS - February 11, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Nwokolo, N. C., Dragovic, B., Patel, S., Tong, C. W., Barker, G., Radcliffe, K. Tags: Guidelines Source Type: research

Thank you to our Reviewers
(Source: International Journal of STD and AIDS)
Source: International Journal of STD and AIDS - January 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Tags: Thank you to our Reviewers Source Type: research

An unusual perineal plaque
We present the case of a 61-year-old male with a long-standing perineal and scrotal lesion. Investigations eventually revealed cutaneous tuberculosis, with complete resolution after appropriate treatment. It highlights the variable presentation of cutaneous tuberculosis and the importance of considering the diagnosis in chronic lesions. (Source: International Journal of STD and AIDS)
Source: International Journal of STD and AIDS - January 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Hindocha, S., Banerjee, S., Lewis, F. Tags: Case reports Source Type: research

Preemptive antiretroviral therapy modifications for the management of potential clinically significant drug interactions with direct acting hepatitis C therapies
We report a case series of HIV/HCV co-infected patients who underwent preemptive antiretroviral therapy modifications to manage clinically significant drug interactions with HCV therapy. Among the 15 patients reviewed, all changed to a raltegravir-based regimen and none experienced a loss of virologic suppression or increase in HIV-RNA. (Source: International Journal of STD and AIDS)
Source: International Journal of STD and AIDS - January 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Stambough, M., Roman, M., Blair, D. C., Sidman, E. F., Miller, C. D. Tags: Case reports Source Type: research

SAS doctors career progression survey 2013
We conducted a national survey of Staff, Associate Specialists and Specialty (SAS) doctors working in sexual health clinics in the UK in 2013 in order to explore their career progression. The aim of the survey was to assess SAS doctors’ experience in passing through the thresholds and to gather information about the adherence by SAS doctors and employers to the terms and conditions of service laid out by the new 2008 contract. Out of 185 responders, whom the authors estimate comprise 34% of the total workforce, 159 were on the new contract. Of those, most SAS doctors were women (84%), the majority (67%) worked less t...
Source: International Journal of STD and AIDS - January 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Oroz, C., Sands, L. R., Lee, J. Tags: Original research articles Source Type: research

Syphilis serology in pregnancy: an eight-year study (2005-2012) in a large teaching maternity hospital in Dublin, Ireland
All cases of positive syphilis serology detected in antenatal and peripartum screening in a large teaching maternity hospital in inner city Dublin, Ireland over an eight-year period (2005–2012 inclusive) were reviewed and included in our study. Demographic, antenatal registration, laboratory (including co-infections), partner serology, treatment and delivery data were recorded in our database. Infant follow-up, treatment and outcome data were also collected. During this period, 194 women had positive syphilis serology, of which 182 completed their pregnancies at the institution. This accounts for 0.28% of the total n...
Source: International Journal of STD and AIDS - January 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: McGettrick, P., Ferguson, W., Jackson, V., Eogan, M., Lawless, M., Ciprike, V., Varughese, A., Coulter-Smith, S., Lambert, J. S. Tags: Original research articles Source Type: research

Prevalence and risk factors of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions among HIV-infected women in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
To determine the prevalence and predictors of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) among HIV-infected women in Tanzania, a cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV-infected women at HIV care and treatment clinics. A Papanicolaou (Pap) smear was used as a screening tool for detection of cervical SIL. From December 2006 to August 2009, 1365 HIV-infected women received cervical screening. The median age was 35 (interquartile range [IQR]: 30–42) years, and the median CD4 + cell count was 164 (IQR: 80–257) cells/mm3. The prevalence of cervical SIL was 8.7% (119/1365). In multivariate analysis, older ...
Source: International Journal of STD and AIDS - January 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Liu, E., McCree, R., Mtisi, E., Fawzi, W. W., Aris, E., Lema, I. A., Hertzmark, E., Chalamilla, G., Li, N., Vermund, S. H., Spiegelman, D. Tags: Original research articles Source Type: research

Using Elecsys(R) HIV Combi PT assay to identify acute and early HIV infection in a teaching hospital of southwest China
In conclusion, the Elecsys® HIV combi PT assay can identify acute and early HIV infection, including those who might have been missed by third-generation HIV screening assays and Western blot. However, cutoff index ratios <15 are not always false-reactive results; a definitive result cannot be attained without further confirmation. In resource-poor regions where a HIV-1 nucleic acid test may be unaffordable, detection of HIV-1 p24 antigen can be an alternative strategy to diagnose HIV infection in individuals with a negative or indeterminate Western blot. (Source: International Journal of STD and AIDS)
Source: International Journal of STD and AIDS - January 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Zhu, S., Li, D., An, J., Chen, Q., Liu, Q., Tao, C. Tags: Original research articles Source Type: research

Coping strategies and behavioural changes following a genital herpes diagnosis among an urban sample of underserved Midwestern women
This study focused on understanding the coping strategies and related behavioural changes of women who were recently diagnosed with herpes simplex virus type 2. In particular, we were interested in how coping strategies, condom use, and acyclovir uptake evolve over time. Twenty-eight women screening positive for herpes simplex virus type 2 were recruited through a public health STD clinic and the Indianapolis Community Court. Participants completed three semi-structured interviews with a woman researcher over a six-month period. The interviews focused on coping strategies for dealing with a diagnosis, frequency of condom u...
Source: International Journal of STD and AIDS - January 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Davis, A., Roth, A., Brand, J. E., Zimet, G. D., Van Der Pol, B. Tags: Original research articles Source Type: research

Loss to follow-up and bias assessment among a cohort of Thai men who have sex with men in Bangkok, Thailand
This study aimed to assess factors associated with loss to follow-up and effects on biasing exposure-outcome associations in a cohort of men who have sex with men in Bangkok. We enrolled sexually-active Thai men who have sex with men, at least 18 years old, in a study with four-monthly follow-up visits. At each visit, men answered HIV risk behaviour questions using audio computer-assisted self-interview. Logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with loss to follow-up and bias between exposures and prevalent HIV infection were estimated using adjusted relative odds ratios. From 2006 to 2010, we enrolled 1...
Source: International Journal of STD and AIDS - January 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Pattanasin, S., Wimonsate, W., Chonwattana, W., Tongtoyai, J., Chaikummao, S., Sriporn, A., Sukwicha, W., Mock, P. A., Holtz, T. H. Tags: Original research articles Source Type: research

Adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy in Hyderabad, India: barriers, facilitators and identification of target groups
We assessed the barriers and facilitators to highly active antiretroviral therapy adherence and determined their prevalence among HIV/AIDS patients in Hyderabad, India. We conducted a cross-sectional study among HIV-infected adults prescribed highly active antiretroviral therapy and receiving care from nine clinics. Depression was screened using Patient Health Questionnaire 9 and facilitators of HIV medication adherence were assessed using an 11-item scale which yielded a total positive attitude to disease score. Prevalence ratios of non-adherence between different categories of potential risk factors were calculated. We c...
Source: International Journal of STD and AIDS - January 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Dworkin, M. S., Douglas, G., Sabitha Rani, G., Chakraborty, A. Tags: Original research articles Source Type: research

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) genital shedding in HSV-2-/HIV-1-co-infected women receiving effective combination antiretroviral therapy
The dynamics of genital shedding of HSV-2 DNA was assessed in HIV-1-infected women taking combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). HIV-1 RNA, HIV-1 DNA and HSV DNA loads were measured during 12–18 months using frozen plasma, PBMC and cervicovaginal lavage samples from 22 HIV-1-infected women, including 17 women naive for antiretroviral therapy initiating cART and 5 women with virological failure switching to a new regimen. Nineteen (86%) women were HSV-2-seropositive. Among HSV-2-/HIV-1-co-infected women, HIV-1 RNA loads showed a rapid fall from baseline after one month of cART, in parallel in paired plasma and cer...
Source: International Journal of STD and AIDS - January 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Pere, H., Rascanu, A., LeGoff, J., Matta, M., Bois, F., Lortholary, O., Leroy, V., Launay, O., Belec, L., for the ANRS EP24 study group Tags: Original research articles Source Type: research

British Association for Sexual Health and HIV: framework for guideline development and assessment
The Clinical Effectiveness Group of the British Association for Sexual Health has updated their methodology for the production of national guidelines for the management of sexually transmitted infections and related conditions. The main changes are the adoption of the GRADE system for assessing evidence and making recommendations and the introduction of a specific Conflict of Interests policy for Clinical Effectiveness Group members and guideline authors. This new methodology has been piloted during the production of the 2015 British Association for Sexual Health & HIV guideline on the management of syphilis. (Source: ...
Source: International Journal of STD and AIDS - January 31, 2016 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Kingston, M., Radcliffe, K., Cousins, D., Fifer, H., FitzGerald, M., Grover, D., Hardman, S., Higgins, S., Rayment, M., Sullivan, A. Tags: Original research articles Source Type: research