Post-COVID, there has been a notable surge in syphilis cases, with a 38% increase reported in 2021 compared to 2019, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Analysis of our clinic’s data over 8 years spanning from 2015 to 2023 also showed a steady rise from 2020 to 2023, particularly among males. This trend contrasts with the overall decline in clinic attendance during the pandemic. Contributing factors include an increase in online sexual activity (seeking sexual partners online) and diverted healthcare resources towards the COVID-19 pandemic. Urgent measures are reinforced surveillance and public health response, heightened awareness, and the provision of early and cost-free treatment to address this escalation of syphilis cases.

Sexual health is a complex, multi-dimensional concept; however, much research on the topic is focused on sexually transmitted infections and risk reduction. Given their status as a key population for sexual health promotion, we interviewed 10 gay men living with HIV about the meaning of sexual health. While all mentioned sexual health care and safer sex (e.g. HIV management), most also addressed intimacy and relationships and well as positive sexuality as key components of sexual health.

HIV PrEP is widely recommended as a crucial measure for HIV prevention. In a demonstration trial in China, this article highlights two cases where facial neuralgia emerged as an unexpected side effect of PrEP medication, not previously mentioned in official prescribing information. These findings deepen our understanding of the potential side effects of emitricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate use and provide empirical evidence to enhance PrEP implementation further and address the challenges that may arise during its utilisation.

This study aimed to provide a deeper understanding of transgender women’s experiences of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake and adherence, and to identify major barriers to PrEP use to inform intervention adaptation. We interviewed 20 young transgender women and 10 health care providers from two HIV clinics in Bangkok, Thailand. Our findings deepen the current understanding of barriers to PrEP use, and inform the development of effective interventions to promote PrEP use.

Several large studies suggest that men who have sex with men (MSM) may experience intimate partner violence (IPV) at similar or higher rates than those documented among women. We introduced screening for IPV among MSM at a large, urban sexual health clinic and examined prevalence and associations with self report of IPV. Reported IPV among MSM was associated with significantly increased risk behaviours. Screening allows clinicians to be aware of the potential for, and impact of, IPV in this population.

People from Black ethnic backgrounds are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections. In this paper, we reviewed existing literature to understand the effectiveness of interventions designed to increase engagement with sexual healthcare among people of Black ethnicity. Our findings highlight the importance of considering sociocultural, structural and socio-economic barriers to increasing engagement with sexual healthcare. Matching the intervention facilitators’ demographics and lived experience to intervention recipients may further increase engagement and trust.

Women living with HIV are a minority in Australia. They present unique healthcare challenges, particularly relating to sexual and reproductive health. Evidence shows higher rates of unplanned pregnancy and lower rates of long-acting-reversible contraception use among women living with HIV. We highlight gaps in care at an Australian metropolitan centre and suggest contraceptive options used by women living with HIV may be changing in the era of modern HIV treatment. We suggest changes in care provision to meet demand, including use of ‘women-centred’ models of care.

Transgender women who work in the sex industry face difficulties accessing health care facilities. This population is recognised worldwide as a high-risk group for sexually transmitted infections and HIV In this paper, we describe challenges for accessing healthcare amongst transgender women sex workers in Iran.

Pathology results management contributes to a significant proportion of the workload at sexual health services. This study estimates the client outcomes and costs of the existing nurse-led urgent results management model at the Sydney Sexual Health Centre compared to an ordering clinician model. The nurse-led model demonstrated improved time to notification and treatment and health system savings of 33 h of staff time per week and A$121 524 annually. Nurse-led models continue to provide value and effectiveness within sexual health services.

Testing for sexually transmissible infections is challenging in rural and regional areas. Innovations, such as vending machines, are a novel approach to dispensing test kits to minimise barriers for people disadvantaged by the health system. STI-X, our STI test vending machine pilot, aims to offer an alternative to mainstream services and increase access to STI testing in regional and rural settings in northern Victoria.

We report the first cases of high-level azithromycin resistant N. gonorrhoeae emerging from South Africa. All viable isolates obtained during 2021 were susceptible to extended-spectrum cephalosporins; however, four isolates had high azithromycin MICs ranging from 32 mg/L to >256 mg/L and grouped into two distinct novel NG-MAST and NG-STAR groups. Continued antimicrobial resistance surveillance is critical to detect increasing azithromycin resistance prevalence in N. gonorrhoeae, which may justify future modifications to the STI syndromic management guidelines.

Women living with HIV are at high risk of anogenital infection, with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) and associated cervical and anal cancers. In young women with perinatally acquired HIV who have experienced immune system compromise from birth, the risk of abnormal cervical cytology is even greater. We found that not receiving a HPV vaccination and having a perinatally acquired HIV were associated with persistent HPV. Catch-up HPV vaccination should be prioritised for children and youth with HIV, regardless of their sexual history.