Sexual practices and dental dam use among women prisoners - a mixed methods study

Sexual Health ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorraine Yap ◽  
Juliet Richters ◽  
Tony Butler ◽  
Karen Schneider ◽  
Kristie Kirkwood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Women Prisoners ◽  
Oral Sex ◽  
Latex Gloves ◽  
Women's Prisons ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Sex Toys ◽  
Simplex Virus

Background: Dental dams have been distributed to women prisoners for protection against HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs) in some Canadian and Australian prisons for over a decade. However, we do not know whether they serve any useful public health purpose. Objective: To determine how dental dams are used in women’s prisons in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Method: Using quantitative and qualitative methods, we investigated women’s sexual practices with a focus on how dental dams are used in NSW prisons. Results: Although 71 of the 199 (36%) women reported having had sex with another inmate, with oral sex involved in most encounters, only eight (4%) had ever used a dental dam. The main sources of STI transmission risk among women prisoners were oral sex, manual sex and sharing dildos. Furthermore, sharing razors could also allow the transmission of blood-borne viruses, which could occur during sex in the presence of cuts or menstrual fluid. The high rates of hepatitis B and C among incarcerated women compound this risk. Conclusion: Dental dams are not widely used by women prisoners and we question their utility in women’s prisons. Oral sex is an important risk factor for acquisition of herpes simplex virus type 1, but most women in NSW prisons (89%) are already infected. Condoms and latex gloves may have more use. Condoms could be used as a barrier on shared dildos and sex toys, while latex gloves could be used to protect cut and grazed hands from vaginal and menstrual fluids.

scholarly journals Oral Transmission of Sexually Transmissable Infections: A Narrative Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (12) ◽  
pp. 776
Author(s):  
Catarina Queirós ◽  
João Borges da Costa
Keyword(s):  
Oral Cavity ◽  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Oral Sex ◽  
Oral Transmission ◽  
Papillomavirus Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Basic Functions ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infection ◽  
Transmissible Infection

Over the last few decades, behavioral changes in sexual practices have made oral transmission of traditional sexually transmissible infections increasingly recognized. Patients harboring a sexually transmissible infection may first present lesions on the oral cavity, as these may be visible and interfere with basic functions such as speech or swallowing. Moreover, the oral cavity may function as a reservoir for future spread of these infections. In order to successfully control this problem, a greater focus on oral sex should be persued, along with promotion of the use of condom and education on safe oral sex practices. Furthermore, examination of the oral cavity should is essential when evaluating any patient suspected of harboring a sexually transmissible infection. In this article, oral transmission of several viral and bacterial infections is reviewed, including human papillomavirus infection, genital herpes, syphilis and gonorrhea, among others.

scholarly journals Do women use dental dams? Safer sex practices of lesbians and other women who have sex with women

Sexual Health ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliet Richters ◽  
Garrett Prestage ◽  
Karen Schneider ◽  
Stevie Clayton
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Risk ◽  
Safer Sex ◽  
Oral Sex ◽  
Mardi Gras ◽  
Latex Gloves ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Lesbian Community ◽  
Safer Sex Practices ◽  
Group Sex ◽  
The Relationship

Dental dams are distributed and promoted in some safer sex campaigns for use in oral sex. However, whether and how often dams are used for sex between Australian women remains unknown. We investigated the use of dental dams for sex by lesbians and other women who have sex with women, and the relationship between dam use and sexual risk for this group. In 2004, a self-completion questionnaire was distributed to women attending the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair Day and lesbian community venues and health services in Sydney (n = 543). Among the 330 women who had had oral sex with a woman in the previous 6 months, 9.7% had used a dental dam and 2.1% had used one ‘often’. There was little evidence of dam use for prevention of sexually transmissible infections. Although women who practised rimming (oral–anal contact) or had fetish sex involving blood were more likely to have used a dam, dam use was not significantly more common among women who had more partners, or had casual or group sex. Some women avoided oral sex during menstruation or had oral sex with a tampon in place. Latex gloves and condoms were used by more women and more often than dams.

scholarly journals Management rates of sexually transmissible infections by Australian general practitioners, 2000–2012

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony J. Santella ◽  
Allan Pollack ◽  
Christopher Harrison ◽  
Shailendra N. Sawleshwarkar ◽  
Helena C. Britt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Practitioners ◽  
Genital Warts ◽  
Risk Identification ◽  
National Study ◽  
Major City ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Simplex Virus ◽  
Changes Over Time ◽  
Risk Communities

Background In Australia, general practitioners (GPs) manage the majority of sexually transmissible infections (STIs). Most STIs are diagnosed and treated by GPs as a result of symptom recognition or risk identification. We aimed to determine how frequently six common STIs were managed by GPs, the characteristics of the GPs and patients, and any changes over time. Methods: Data from the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) program for April 2000–March 2012 were analysed. BEACH is a national study of GP activity. The overall management rates of genital herpes (herpes simplex virus, HSV), genital warts, HIV, chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis), gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) and syphilis were calculated. Results: In total, 11 784 GPs recorded details of 1 178 400 patient encounters. These included: 115 cases of genital HSV per 100 000 encounters, 92 of genital warts, 67 of HIV, 39 of chlamydia, 6 of gonorrhoea and 7 of syphilis. Higher management rates occurred among patients who were male, 15–24 years old, more socially advantaged, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, resident in a major city or of English-speaking background. GPs who were female and those aged under 60 years had higher STI management rates than their counterparts. Conclusions: HSV and warts were the most common STIs managed. Lower management rates for the other STIs may reflect lower incidence or lower testing rates, because these other STIs are frequently asymptomatic. It is important to determine whether existing approaches effectively target the most at-risk communities and what barriers to presentation exist.

Sexual risk assessment in general practice: evidence from a New South Wales survey

Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asaduzzaman Khan ◽  
David Plummer ◽  
Rafat Hussain ◽  
Victor Minichiello
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Sexual Risk ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Sexual History ◽  
History Taking ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Sexual History Taking ◽  
Sexual Histories

Background: Physicians’ inadequate involvement in sexual risk assessment has the potential to miss many asymptomatic cases. The present study was conducted to explore sexual risk assessment by physicians in clinical practice and to identify barriers in eliciting sexual histories from patients. Methods: A stratified random sample of 15% of general practitioners (GP) from New South Wales was surveyed to assess their management of sexually transmissible infections (STI). In total, 409 GP participated in the survey with a response rate of 45.4%. Results: Although nearly 70% of GP regularly elicited a sexual history from commercial sex workers whose presenting complaint was not an STI, this history taking was much lower (<10%) among GP for patients who were young or heterosexual. About 23% never took a sexual history from Indigenous patients and 19% never elicited this history from lesbian patients. Lack of time was the most commonly cited barrier in sexual history taking (55%), followed by a concern that patients might feel uncomfortable if a sexual history was taken (49%). Other constraints were presence of another person (39%) and physician’s embarrassment (15%). About 19% of GP indicated that further training in sexual history taking could improve their practice. Conclusions: The present study identifies inconsistent involvement by GP in taking sexual histories, which can result in missed opportunities for early detection of many STI. Options for overcoming barriers to taking sexual histories by GP are discussed.

Different patterns of herpes simplex virus type 1 infection among college students from Cuernavaca, Mexico

Sexual Health ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 365 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Carlos Arriaga-Demeza ◽  
Carlos J. Conde-Glez ◽  
Felipe J. Uribe-Salas ◽  
Sergio Eguiza-Fano ◽  
Santa García-Cisneros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Herpes Simplex Virus ◽  
Herpes Simplex ◽  
Sexual Behaviour ◽  
Herpes Simplex Virus Type ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Oral Sex ◽  
Simplex Virus ◽  
Hsv 1

The goal of this study was to determine herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) seroprevalence among college students from Morelos State University, Mexico; and to correlate their demographic and sexual behaviour characteristics with HSV-1 infection. Demographic characteristics were associated with HSV-1 among female students. Among male students, sexual behaviour characteristics were associated with HSV-1 seroprevalence. Male students who practised oral sex and did not always use a condom presented higher rates of HSV-1 infection (76.9%) than students who did not have oral sex (52.2%). A different pattern of HSV-1 infection depends on gender among Mexican students analysed.

scholarly journals Age, ethnic and travel-related disparities in kissing and sexual practices among heterosexual men in Melbourne, Australia

Sexual Health ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 279
Author(s):  
Finley J. Charleson ◽  
Christopher K. Fairley ◽  
Jane S. Hocking ◽  
Lenka A. Vodstrcil ◽  
Catriona S. Bradshaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Negative Binomial ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Significant Risk Factor ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Transmission Risk ◽  
Heterosexual Men ◽  
Sex Partners ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

Background The kissing practices of heterosexual men are not well understood, despite the potential of kissing to be a significant risk factor for gonorrhoea transmission. This study aimed to explore kissing and sex practices among heterosexual men. Methods: A cross-sectional survey among heterosexual men attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre in 2016–2017 was conducted. Men were asked to report their number of kissing-only (in the absence of sex), sex-only (in the absence of kissing) and kissing-with-sex partners in the last 3 months. The mean number of each partner type was calculated, and multivariable negative binomial regression was used to investigate associations between the number of different types of partners and demographic characteristics. Results: Of the 2351 heterosexual men, men reported a mean of 2.98 kissing-only, 0.54 sex-only and 2.64 kissing-with-sex partners in the last 3 months. Younger men had a mean higher number of kissing-only partners than older men (4.52 partners among men aged ≤24 years compared with 1.75 partners among men ≥35 years, P &lt; 0.001). Men born in Europe had the most kissing-only partners (mean: 5.16 partners) and men born in Asia had the fewest kissing-only partners (mean: 1.61 partners). Men recently arrived in Australia, including travellers from overseas, had significantly more kissing-only partners (adjusted incidence rate ratio (aIRR): 1.53; 95% CI: 1.31–1.80) than local men. Conclusions: This study provides novel data about kissing practices of heterosexual men. Studies assessing oropharyngeal gonorrhoea should include measurements of kissing until studies can clarify its contribution to transmission risk.

What proportion of sexually transmissible infections and HIV are diagnosed in New South Wales’ public sexual health services compared with other services?

Sexual Health ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Bourne ◽  
Debbie Allen ◽  
Katherine Brown ◽  
Stephen C. Davies ◽  
Anna McNulty ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Large Contribution ◽  
Geographical Variations ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Geographical Regions ◽  
High Risk Populations

Background: In New South Wales (NSW), publicly funded sexual health services (PFSHSs) target the populations at greatest risk for important sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and so may make a large contribution to the diagnosis of notifiable STIs. We aimed to determine the proportions of STIs diagnosed in PFSHSs and notified to the NSW Ministry of Health in 2009, and describe geographical variations. Methods: The number of notifiable STIs (infectious syphilis, gonorrhoea, HIV and chlamydia) diagnosed in 2009 was obtained for each Area Health Service (AHS) and each PFSHS. The proportion of diagnoses made by PFSHSs was calculated at the state and AHS level according to five geographical regions: inner and outer metropolitan, regional, rural and remote. Results: The overall proportions of diagnoses made by NSW PFSHSs were syphilis, 25%; gonorrhoea, 25%; HIV, 21%; and chlamydia, 14%. Within each zone, the proportions of these STIs were (respectively): (i) inner metropolitan: 32%, 26%, 21% and 13%; (ii) outer metropolitan: 41%, 24%, 43% and 9%; (iii) regional: 62%, 15%, 23% and 10%; (iv) rural: 8%, 29%, <5% and 20%; and (v) remote: <5%, 43%, <5% and 29%. There was considerable variation in proportions of STIs between and within AHSs (<5–100%). Conclusions: NSW PFSHSs contribute a large proportion of diagnoses for syphilis, gonorrhoea and HIV, but less so for chlamydia. Across AHSs and zones, there was considerable variation in the proportions. These data support the role of PFSHS in identifying and managing important STIs in high-risk populations.

Australian men's sexual practices in saunas, sex clubs and other male sex on premises venues

Sexual Health ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Lyons ◽  
Anthony M. A. Smith ◽  
Jeffrey W. Grierson ◽  
Henry von Doussa
Keyword(s):  
Anal Intercourse ◽  
Unprotected Anal Intercourse ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Anal Sex ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Younger Men ◽  
Receptive Anal Sex ◽  
Risky Sexual Practices ◽  
Sexual Encounters ◽  
Sex With Men

Background: Sex on premises venues (SOPVs) where men have sex with men have been implicated in the spread of sexually transmissible infections, but few studies have described men’s sexual encounters in SOPVs, particularly the degree to which men from different backgrounds engage in risky sexual practices. Methods: Interviewer administered surveys were conducted with 186 Australian men who have sex with men (MSM) within 48 h of visiting an SOPV. They reported their sexual practices, the characteristics of their partners and other circumstances surrounding their sexual encounters. Results: All analyses were based on the number of sexual encounters (n = 430). Oral sex was the most common practice, occurring in 74.9% of encounters, followed by massage, frottage or kissing (53.7%), solo or mutual masturbation (36.3%), and anal sex (32.1%). Multivariate analyses revealed age as a significant factor for having protected anal sex (P = 0.001), insertive anal sex (P = 0.004) and receptive anal sex (P < 0.001). These practices were more frequent in encounters among younger men, while masturbation (P = 0.03) was more frequent among older men. When men’s sexual partners were affected by alcohol, encounters were less likely to involve unprotected anal intercourse (P = 0.006) and more likely to involve massage, frottage or kissing (P = 0.009). Men disclosed their HIV status in only 7.7% of encounters. Conclusions: With the likelihood of risky sexual practices varying according to background, results from this study should be used to guide interventions aiming to promote safer sex in SOPVs.

General practice management of psychological distress in patients with sexually transmissible infection

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asaduzzaman Khan ◽  
Margot J. Schofield
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Great Majority ◽  
Postal Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Medical Graduates ◽  
Perceived Need ◽  
Counselling Services ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections

This paper investigates general practitioners’ (GP) self-reported practices for psychologically distressed patients with sexually transmissible infections (STI). A cross-sectional postal survey was conducted among a 15% random sample of GP practising in New South Wales. The main outcome measures were self-reported strategies to deal with psychologically distressed STI patients, priority of counselling, and perceived need for training in counselling. The great majority (82%) of GP reported that they extended their consultation time to deal with psychologically distressed patients, whereas 49% reported being likely to refer distressed patients to a counsellor. Just over half (54%) considered counselling to be a high priority in STI care, whereas 49% acknowledged benefits of further training in counselling. Overseas medical graduates were more likely to refer patients in distress to counsellors compared with Australian graduates (odds ratio = 1.80, P = 0.008). Female and metropolitan GP were more likely to consider counselling a high priority in STI care (odds ratio = 1.56, P = 0.038; odds ratio = 1.62, P = 0.028, respectively). GP appreciate the need to deal with psychological distress of STI patients; however, referral to counselling services is not a widespread priority. Further research is needed to examine practitioners’ actual practice in caring for psychological distress among STI patients and barriers to referral for counselling.

Condoms for sexually transmissible infection prevention: politics versus science

Sexual Health ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian Mindel ◽  
Shailendra Sawleshwarkar
Keyword(s):  
Scientific Data ◽  
Case Control Studies ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sti Prevention ◽  
Degree Of Protection ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Simplex Virus ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Abstinence Only

The present review assesses the protection that condoms offer against sexually transmissible infections (STI) and the impact that social, political and religious opinion in the USA has had in the past 8 years on promoting condoms for safer sex. Condoms offer protection against most STI. However, the degree of protection depends on correct and consistent use, the type of sexual activity and the biological characteristics of different infections. Cross-sectional and case-control studies and other observational data provide the majority of evidence for STI prevention. Condoms provide a high level of protection against those infections that are transmitted mainly via infected secretions, including HIV, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and trichomoniasis. Protection against those infections transmitted via skin and mucous membrane contact, including Herpes simplex virus infection and human papilloma virus, appears to be less. The Bush administration, driven by conservative political, social and religious elements in the USA, has mounted a concerted campaign to undermine the role of the condom in health-promotion activities in the USA and overseas by undervaluing and misrepresenting scientific data, and through a sustained and well-funded promotion of abstinence-only education. However, this has lead to considerable controversy and disillusionment with abstinence-only education, both at home and abroad, and there is now incontrovertible evidence that abstinence-only programs are ineffectual.

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