Prevalence and predictors of chlamydia co-infection among patients infected with gonorrhoea at a sexual health clinic in Sydney

Sexual Health ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 392 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Templeton ◽  
Niveditha Manokaran ◽  
Catherine C. O'Connor

Anogenital gonorrhoea (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) is commonly diagnosed at sexual health clinics by on-site microscopy. Whether to add anti-chlamydial therapy in such situations is unclear. The medical records of all patients diagnosed with gonorrhoea between May 2005 and April 2010 at RPA Sexual Health were reviewed. Of 165 patients with anogenital gonorrhoea, 27 (16.4%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 11.1–22.9%) were co-infected with chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis). Compared with those only infected with anogenital gonorrhoea, there was no correlation of anogenital gonorrhoea–chlamydia co-infection with any demographic, behavioural or clinical variables examined. Anti-chlamydial therapy should be considered for all patients with gram stain diagnosed anogenital gonorrhoea at the initial clinic visit.

2021 ◽  
pp. sextrans-2021-055265
Author(s):  
Andrew C Lim ◽  
Meghana Venkatesh ◽  
Danielle L Lewald ◽  
Patricia J Emmanuel ◽  
Lisa Sanders

ObjectivesAdolescents and young adults (AYAs) face difficulties accessing sexual and reproductive health services. These difficulties were exacerbated for a variety of reasons by the COVID-19 pandemic. We document strategies and outcomes implemented at an urban youth sexual health clinic in Florida that allowed uninterrupted provision of services while protecting against spread of COVID-19.MethodsThe plan–do–study–act (PDSA) model was used to implement COVID-19 interventions designed to allow continued service delivery while protecting the health and safety of staff and patients. This method was applied to clinic operations, community referral systems and community outreach to assess and refine interventions within a quick-paced feedback loop.ResultsDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, changes made via PDSA cycles to clinical/navigation services, health communications and youth outreach/engagement effectively responded to AYA needs. Although overall numbers of youth served decreased, all youth contacting the clinic for services were able to be accommodated. Case finding rates for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV were similar to pre-pandemic levels.ConclusionsQuality improvement PDSA initiatives at AYA sexual health clinics, particularly those for underserved youth, can be used to adapt service delivery when normal operating models are disrupted. The ability for youth sexual health clinics to adapt to a changing healthcare landscape will be crucial in ensuring that under-resourced youth are able to receive needed services and ambitious Ending the HIV Epidemic goals are achieved.


2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 752-757 ◽  
Author(s):  
S M McAllister ◽  
N P Dickson ◽  
K Sharples ◽  
M R Reid ◽  
J M Morgan ◽  
...  

This unlinked anonymous study aimed at determining the prevalence of HIV among sexual health clinic attenders having blood samples taken for syphilis and/or hepatitis B serology in six major New Zealand cities over a 12-month period in 2005–2006. Overall, seroprevalence was five per 1000 (47/9439). Among men who have sex with men (MSM), the overall prevalence and that of previously undiagnosed HIV were 44.1 and 20.1 per 1000, respectively. In heterosexual men, the overall prevalence was 1.2 per 1000 and in women 1.4 per 1000. HIV remains to be concentrated among homosexual and bisexual men. Comparison with a previous survey in 1996–1997 suggests an increase in the prevalence of undiagnosed HIV among MSM and also an increase in the number of MSM attending sexual health clinics. The low prevalence of HIV among heterosexuals suggests no extensive spread into the groups identified at risk of other sexually transmitted infections.


Sexual Health ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Ryder ◽  
Anna M. McNulty

Background: Confidentiality concerns are often described as barriers to seeking sexual health care. There has been little research describing the relative importance of confidentiality to clients of sexual health clinics, and whether members of high-risk groups have greater concerns. This study aimed to determine the importance of confidentiality and anonymity to clients of a public sexual health clinic, and determine associations with gender and sexuality. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was offered to consecutive new English-speaking clients in October and November 2007. Participants were asked to describe the reasons for presenting, likelihood of disclosing identifying information, and concern should specific people and agencies become aware of their attendance. Results: Of 350 eligible clients, 270 (77%) participated in the survey. Expert care was included in the top three reasons for choosing a sexual health clinic rather than a general practitioner by over half of participants, while confidentiality and cost were each included in the top three reasons by one-third of respondents respectively. Over 90% of clients reported they were likely to give accurate identifying information to the clinic. Participants were comfortable with disclosure of information to other health-care workers but became increasingly unwilling for information to be shared with services not directly involved in their care. Overall there were few associations with gender or sexuality. Conclusion: Clients choose to attend our clinic for a variety of reasons, with confidentiality and anonymity being of lesser importance than competence and cost. Confidentiality is important to the majority of clients, whereas few desire anonymity. Most clients would accept information being shared with other health services, suggesting that confidentiality may not be a barrier to the use of electronic health records in sexual health clinics.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S213-S213
Author(s):  
Charles Cartwright ◽  
Ayla Harris ◽  
Michael Levandoski ◽  
Amanda Pherson ◽  
Melinda Nye

Abstract Background Mycoplasma genitalium is a significant agent of sexually transmitted infection (STI). Cure rates have declined as rates of macrolide resistance has become increasingly prevalent. Diagnosis of M. genitalium infection and macrolide resistance detection is possible using nucleic-acid amplification tests (NAAT); use of such assays could improve patient management and antimicrobial stewardship. In this study we used one such assay, ResistancePlus MG (RPMG) to determine the prevalence of M. genitalium infection and macrolide resistance in a cohort of patients attending 3 public sexual health clinics in mid-Atlantic US states. Methods De-identified urogenital samples submitted to the LabCorp facility in Burlington, NC for routine Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) NAAT testing from 3 public sexual health clinics were analyzed in the study. All samples had been collected in the Aptima Specimen Collection system and tested with the Aptima Combo 2 CT/NG NAAT. A total of 1,261 samples (770 male, 491 female) from this cohort were successfully tested for M. genitalium and macrolide-resistance mediating mutations (MRMM) using the RPMG multiplexed PCR assay. Results The prevalence of M. genitalium in this patient cohort was 10.4% (131/1,261), not significantly different to the prevalence of C. trachomatis (12.0%; P = 0.202) but significantly higher than the prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (6.7%; P = 0.0009). Sixty of the 131 M. genitalium positives were also positive for MRMM and thus azithromycin resistant. Conclusion M. genitalium infections were common amongst unselected individuals evaluated for treatable STI in the eastern United States and the rate of macrolide resistance in this population was significant. In addition, the RPMG assay was shown to be a simple and accurate method for simultaneously diagnosing M. genitalium infections and detecting MRMM and could be used to inform therapeutic decisions. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonali Wayal ◽  
David Reid ◽  
Paula B Blomquist ◽  
Peter Weatherburn ◽  
Catherine H Mercer ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Sexually transmitted infection (STI) surveillance is vital for tracking the scale and pattern of epidemics; however, it often lacks data on the underlying drivers of STIs. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the acceptability and feasibility of implementing a bio-behavioral enhanced surveillance tool, comprising a self-administered Web-based survey among sexual health clinic attendees, as well as linking this to their electronic health records (EHR) held in England’s national STI surveillance system. METHODS Staff from 19 purposively selected sexual health clinics across England and men who have sex with men and black Caribbeans, because of high STI burden among these groups, were interviewed to assess the acceptability of the proposed bio-behavioral enhanced surveillance tool. Subsequently, sexual health clinic staff invited all attendees to complete a Web-based survey on drivers of STI risk using a study tablet or participants’ own digital device. They recorded the number of attendees invited and participants’ clinic numbers, which were used to link survey data to the EHR. Participants’ online consent was obtained, separately for survey participation and linkage. In postimplementation phase, sexual health clinic staff were reinterviewed to assess the feasibility of implementing the bio-behavioral enhanced surveillance tool. Acceptability and feasibility of implementing the bio-behavioral enhanced surveillance tool were assessed by analyzing these qualitative and quantitative data. RESULTS Prior to implementation of the bio-behavioral enhanced surveillance tool, sexual health clinic staff and attendees emphasized the importance of free internet/Wi-Fi access, confidentiality, and anonymity for increasing the acceptability of the bio-behavioral enhanced surveillance tool among attendees. Implementation of the bio-behavioral enhanced surveillance tool across sexual health clinics varied considerably and was influenced by sexual health clinics’ culture of prioritization of research and innovation and availability of resources for implementing the surveys. Of the 7367 attendees invited, 85.28% (6283) agreed to participate. Of these, 72.97% (4585/6283) consented to participate in the survey, and 70.62% (4437/6283) were eligible and completed it. Of these, 91.19% (4046/4437) consented to EHR linkage, which did not differ by age or gender but was higher among gay/bisexual men than heterosexual men (95.50%, 722/756 vs 88.31%, 1073/1215; P<.003) and lower among black Caribbeans than white participants (87.25%, 568/651 vs 93.89%, 2181/2323; P<.002). Linkage was achieved for 88.88% (3596/4046) of consenting participants. CONCLUSIONS Implementing a bio-behavioral enhanced surveillance tool in sexual health clinics was feasible and acceptable to staff and groups at STI risk; however, ensuring participants’ confidentiality and anonymity and availability of resources is vital. Bio-behavioral enhanced surveillance tools could enable timely collection of detailed behavioral data for effective commissioning of sexual health services.


Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 304
Author(s):  
A. Morrow ◽  
J. Chuah ◽  
E. L. Conway ◽  
C. K. Fairley ◽  
J. McCloskey ◽  
...  

The introduction of the quadrivalent vaccine (HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18), GARDASIL, in the National HPV Vaccination program has the potential to eliminate a substantial proportion of the health burden of genital warts, currently the most common sexually transmitted viral disease in Australia. Although there are an estimated 10�000 cases per year managed through sexual health clinics in Australia, there is very limited data on treatment practices and resource use in this setting. A clinical audit was undertaken in five sexual health clinics in different states of Australia. A total of 500 cases (100 consecutive cases per clinic) were identified of patients aged 18 to 45 years with a first ever diagnosis of genital warts between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2004. The average age of cases was 27 years for females and 31 years for males with 43% cases female. There was an average of 2.7 visits per case (range 1-22). Ablative measures (cryotherapy, laser or diathermy) were the most common form of treatment applied in 58% cases (mean per case�=�2.4; range 1-16); topical treatments were prescribed in 44% cases (mean per case�=�1.5; range 1-8) and topical treatments were applied by the health care provider in 22% cases (mean per case�=�1.5; range 1-8). Additional analyses including type of treatment, variation in treatment practices by sexual health clinic and duration of cases will be presented. This study confirms the considerable individual and clinical burden of this common disease.


2020 ◽  
pp. 095646242096387
Author(s):  
Venkateshwaran Sivaraj ◽  
Azraan Ahamed ◽  
Ruslan Artykov ◽  
Anatole Menon-Johansson

Epididymitis is a common cause of scrotal pain presentation in sexual health clinics; however, it is unclear what fraction is attributable to transmissible infections. We, therefore, reviewed the aetiologies causing epididymitis. A retrospective data analysis of all cases of epididymitis diagnosed from January 2018 to December 2018 in three sexual health clinics was conducted, collecting demographics, results, management and symptom resolution at two weeks follow up. A total of 127 cases of epididymitis (mean age 32 years, heterosexual 97, MSM 30) were included. Among them 14 cases (11%) were caused by sexual transmitted infections (<35 years n = 9; >35 years n = 5): seven cases of chlamydia, six gonorrhoea, one syphilis and one trichomonas vaginalis. There were three cases of urinary tract infection diagnosed. All cases were treated with antibiotics recommended by the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH). At two weeks follow up post-treatment 10 (7%) were symptomatic; 91% did not attend for follow up. Sexually transmitted infections were associated with acute epididymitis in 11% of this study cohort.


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