Sexual Health proposes a shift in editorial policies that will mirror those already adopted in other health journals, including the requirement of all authors to provide sex disaggregated data and an analysis of gender differences where they exist. This paper outlines the proposed new policy and reasons behind the move.

Monthly, periodic presumptive treatment among hotel-based sex workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh dramatically reduced high chlamydial and gonococcal prevalence and incidence.

The objective of this study was to assess applicability of the theory of planned behaviour to predict the intention to use condoms, and examine the manner in which the constructs of the theory (attitudes towards condom use, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control) combine to influence the condom use intention among male sex workers who sold sex to other men in China.

In this clinical audit, we assessed the characteristics and management of HIV and cardiovascular disease among Australian primary care physicians. We found a high burden of risk for cardiovascular disease in HIV-infected Australians. However, current screening and management practices in these patients fall short of contemporary guidelines.

This study assessed the effectiveness of a brief narrative intervention implemented by trained biomedical; and Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy (AYUSH) providers in reduction of sexual risk and related outcomes in three low-income communities in India. The study suggests that brief intervention concepts adapted to the unique characteristics of local health service systems and the cultural perceptions of community residents can be effective in addressing HIV risk in India and elsewhere.

The biopsychosocial model posits an array of factors that may be associated with sexual arousal, sensation and satisfaction among female adolescents. Among a sample of female African-Americans aged 14–20 the short serotonin transporter allele was associated with reduced levels of sexual arousability, satisfaction, and sensation seeking, high depressive symptoms were associated with higher arousability, higher social support was associated with greater satisfaction, and impulsivity and risk-supportive peer norms were associated with increased sexual-sensation seeking. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding biopsychosocial factors as they relate to sexuality-related constructs to allow further refinement of sexual health clinical services and programs and promote the development of healthy sexuality.

Socioeconomic factors associated with HIV-prevention knowledge was examined using the 2008 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. We found that the likelihood of being aware of the ABC (abstinence, be faithful, and condom use) approach to preventing the sexual transmission of HIV increased with older age, male sex, greater educational attainment, a higher wealth index, living in an urban area and being from the least disadvantaged communities.

The ability of Australian sexual health helplines to facilitate referrals has not been studied. We sought to determine the outcome of callers who were referred to publicly-funded sexual health services or general practitioners for testing of HIV and sexually transmitted infections. One hundred and twenty callers were successfully contacted one week later, of which 85% had attended or had a future appointment booked.

This study explores the pattern of sexual practices and multiple sexual identities of men who have sex with men (MSM) in rural China. Unprotected sex, multiple concurrent partners, commercial and group sex activities were prevalent. Most MSM enter marriage to conceal their homosexual identity without disclosing it to their female partners. The complexity of MSM social networks and sexual behavioural patterns remain major challenges for HIV prevention in China.

Patients attending sexually transmissible infections (STI) and adolescent out-patient clinics participated in focus group sessions to discuss their opinions regarding point of care tests (POCT) for STIs. Topics discussed included advantages, disadvantages, barriers to use and envisioned characteristics of POCTs for STIs. Overall these patients were in favour of POCTs if they are affordable, rapid, easy to read and simple to use.

This mixed methods study examined perceived barriers to sexually transmissible infection (STI) testing among 17–25 year old students in the UK. The findings from surveys and interviews were similar; they suggest that STI testing may become more likely among young people if attention is given to addressing low perceived susceptibility to infection, normative beliefs about testing, stigma and shame related to testing, and perceived ease of access to testing, including self-testing.

Home-based sampling is a strategy to enhance uptake of sexually transmissible infections (STI) screening. A systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to compare the screening uptake levels of home-based self-sampling and clinic-based specimen collection for STI (chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis) in females aged 14-50 years. Acceptability and effect on specimen quality were determined. Results indicate that home-based screening increased uptake significantly without compromising quality. Addition of this strategy to existing clinic-based programs could further enhance screening uptake.