Condom use in the year following a sexually transmitted disease clinic visit

Consistent condom use can prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but few studies have measured how the prevalence of consistent use changes over time. We measured the prevalence and correlates of consistent condom use over the course of a year. We did a secondary analysis of data from an HIV prevention trial in three sexually transmitted disease clinics. We assessed condom use during four three-month intervals for subjects and across their partnerships using unconditional logistic regression. Condom use was also assessed for subjects during all three-month intervals combined. The 2125 subjects reported on 5364 three-month intervals including 7249 partnership intervals. Condoms were always used by 24.1% of subjects and 33.2% of partnerships during a three-month interval. Over the year, 82% used condoms at least once but only 5.1% always used condoms. Always use of condom was more likely for subjects who had sex only once (66.5%) compared with .30 times (6.4%); one-time partnerships (64.1%) compared with main partnerships (22.2%); and in new partnerships (44.0%) compared with partnerships that were not new (24.5%). Although consistent condom use may prevent STIs, condoms were rarely used consistently during the year of follow-up.

High incidence of new sexually transmitted infections in the year following a sexually transmitted infection: a case for rescreening

Studies show 11% to 15% of women treated for Chlamydia trachomatis are reinfected 3 to 4 months after treatment, suggesting the need for rescreening. There is little information on infections among men, infections with Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Trichomonas vaginalis, or long-term follow-up. Objective: To determine the incidence of new sexually transmitted infections during the year after a visit to a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic and associated risk factors. Men and women who receive diagnoses of C. trachomatis, N. gonorrhoeae, or T. vaginalis infections should return in 3 months for rescreening because they are at high risk for new asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections. Although single-dose therapy may adequately treat the infection, it often does not adequately treat the patient.

Self-reported sexually transmitted infection testing behaviour amongst incarcerated young male offenders: findings from a qualitative study

Introduction Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major public health problem in the UK. Here we describe young men's self-reported STI testing behaviour, and explore why testing is and is not sought in two locales: the community and the Young Offender Institute (YOI). Methods In-depth interviews were conducted with 40 men, aged 16–20 years, whilst incarcerated in a Scottish YOI. The participants were purposively sampled using answers from a questionnaire administered to 67 inmates. Results The majority (n = 24) of those interviewed reported having undergone STI testing: eight in the community, 12 within the YOI, and four in both the community and the YOI. The extent to which they were worried about STIs and perceived themselves ‘at risk’ was important in understanding openness to testing. The convenience of testing within the YOI boosted the numbers seeking testing once incarcerated. Not getting tested in the YOI was due to not realising that it was available or not getting around to it rather than objecting to, or being embarrassed about, testing. Discussion Increasing awareness of the availability of STI testing within YOIs would be likely to result in higher uptake. An opt-out YOI STI screening programme would probably result in very high testing rates. Accessibility and convenience are key elements of testing procedures for this group, in both the YOI and community settings