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Sexual Health Sexual Health Society
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Table of Contents
   
Sexual Health

Sexual Health

Volume 22 Number 4 2025

Information about contraceptive options is important for informed decision making. We conducted an online survey with 1745 Australian women aged 18–45 years to understand their information needs about contraceptive implants and intrauterine devices. We found women considering using these contraceptive methods have clear information needs, that may not be met by traditional information sources.

SH24126Engage and adapt: peer-led implementation of HIV navigation in Australia

Timothy Krulic 0000-0002-5174-1920, Graham Brown, Sara Graham and Adam Bourne

Alongside partnership, adaptation is one of the enduring themes of the Australian response to HIV. This article presents a case study to examine the factors that influence the effectiveness of peer navigation programs for people living with HIV run by community organisations in partnership with providers of clinical care. Its findings guide the improvement of service and policy systems and similar programs aimed at empowering better treatment outcomes and quality of life for people living with HIV.

SH25001The relative importance of socio-ecological factors in regard to psychosexual health among adolescent students: based on dominance analysis

Xiuqing Fang 0009-0002-9453-6393, Mengfan Zhang, Mengjie Yang, Wenjing Liu, Linpei Dong, Yawen Ren, Wenguang Wang, Ting Liu and Li Yang

Adolescent psychosexual health is a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of youth development, shaping lifelong well-being and behavior. This study explores the key factors influencing psychosexual health among Chinese vocational students, revealing that peer relationships and parent–adolescent communication play the most significant roles. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions that strengthen peer and family dynamics, offering a roadmap for educators and policymakers to support healthy sexual development in vocational education settings.

Infertility is a major reproductive health concern affecting millions of women worldwide. Our study reveals a significant association between uric acid to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (UHR) and female infertility risk, based on data from a large cross-sectional study. These findings suggest that UHR could serve as a potential biomarker for infertility risk assessment, providing new insights for early detection and intervention strategies.

SH25031Exploring perceived and enacted stigma with related factors among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Nepal

Md. Safaet Hossain Sujan 0000-0003-0313-2423, Antoine Khati, Kiran Paudel, Kamal Gautam, Anjila Pandey, Sanjay Sharma, Manisha Dhakal, Jeffrey Wickersham and Roman Shrestha

The present study examined perceived and enacted stigma among 842 gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in Nepal through an online survey. Nearly half experienced enacted stigma and over half reported perceived stigma. Older age, HIV testing, anal sex engagement, and depressive symptoms were linked to higher perceived stigma. Enacted stigma was associated with depressive symptoms, chemsex or transactional sex and concealing one’s sexual orientation while sufficient sleep reduced it. The results highlight the necessity of stigma-reduction initiatives and supportive treatments, especially for GBMSM populations.

SH25054Prevalence of problematic pornography use: a meta-analysis

Peter K. H. Chew 0000-0002-5243-1481, Yong Jie Yow and Charlize S. Y. Tan

To date, there has not been a study that statistically summarised the prevalence rates of problematic pornography use (PPU) across different studies. This meta-analysis found an overall PPU prevalence rate of 13.00% across 22 studies. This prevalence rate was higher than other forms of behavioural additions (e.g. gambling disorder), suggesting that PPU is an important public health issue that warrants greater clinical and research attention.

Using antibiotics preventatively could significantly reduce sexually transmissible infections in gay and bisexual men, but it may also contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance. This presents a public health ethics dilemma: how should we weigh the benefits of STI control against risks to the health of future generations? Two authors tackle this issue, presenting arguments for and against doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis, using an influential public health ethics framework.

Using antibiotics preventatively could significantly reduce STIs in gay and bisexual men, but it may also contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance. This presents a public health ethics dilemma: how should we weigh the benefits of STI control against risks to health both in the immediate future and to future generations? Two authors tackle this issue, presenting arguments for and against doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis, using an influential public health ethics framework.

The use of saliva as a lubricant during sexual activities among men who have sex with men (MSM) is understudied. We found that MSM who use saliva are more likely to engage in solo masturbation and kissing, and when using saliva as a lubricant, they first apply their saliva via their hands. This study adds to the growing body of knowledge on saliva use during sexual episodes, aiding the development and promotion of safe sexual practices among MSM.

SH25004Extending the use period of hormonal long-acting reversible contraceptive devices in Australia: exploring patterns of use in a cohort of users before and after COVID-19 guidance

Tahlee B. Stevenson 0000-0002-6513-4005, Alice R. Rumbold, Kelly Hall, Jenni Ilomaki, Deborah Bateson 0000-0003-1035-7110, Danielle Mazza and Luke E. Grzeskowiak

As the COVID-19 pandemic placed pressure on health services and limited accessibility, ‘off-label’ recommendations suggesting extended use periods for long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) devices emerged internationally. Despite these recommendations, typical usage patterns were maintained in Australia, with extended use periods observed in less than 10% of LARC users. As these extended use periods have since been made permanent in regulatory documents and clinical guidelines, targeted education for providers and consumers will be required to support uptake and consistent implementation.

SH24123Recruiting participants via social media for sexual and reproductive health research

Jacqueline Coombe 0000-0002-9520-5724, Helen Bittleston 0000-0002-5768-3223, Teralynn Ludwick 0000-0003-4160-7354, Megan S. C. Lim 0000-0003-3136-6761, Ethan T. Cardwell, Linde Stewart 0000-0003-0642-2610, Louise Bourchier 0000-0003-0617-2690, Amelia Wardley 0000-0002-9203-0332, Jane L. Goller 0000-0001-5580-360X, Cassandra Caddy and Jane S. Hocking 0000-0001-9329-8501

Social media is increasingly being used to recruit participants to social research. Here, we provide a practical guide to using social media to recruit for sexual and reproductive health research, and include examples throughout from our own studies. We outline our triumphs and pitfalls in using this recruitment strategy, the challenges we have faced and the lessons we have learnt.

SH24230Factors associated with time to presentation to Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Australia, after STI contact notification

K. Hall 0000-0001-5889-1692, K. Hall 0000-0001-5889-1692, H. Lu 0009-0005-1465-363X, H. Lu 0009-0005-1465-363X, A. Wong 0000-0003-4043-1895, A. Wong 0000-0003-4043-1895, A. McNulty 0000-0003-3174-1242, A. McNulty 0000-0003-3174-1242, C. Bourne 0000-0001-7391-3941 and C. Bourne 0000-0001-7391-3941

When diagnosed with an STI, people are advised on partner notification (PN); however, little is known about those who receive this important information. Our study found that people who received spoken PN had slower presentation times for STI testing compared with those who received electronic PN. Electronic PN was the most popular method in the study. Wider use of electronic PN could improve STI management, and further research into its effectiveness is required.

Stigma and discrimination in health care can hinder people living with HIV from getting medical care. Our study in a Taiwanese medical center found that most healthcare workers took unnecessary precautions and held negative attitudes toward PLHIV, and over one-third were unwilling to care for groups at high risk of HIV infection. These findings highlight the urgent need for education and surveillance programs to reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination in healthcare facilities.

SH25070The awareness and preferences in PrEP access, type of service delivery, and willingness to pay among men who have sex with men in the Philippines: a discrete choice experiment

Rodenie Arnaiz Olete 0000-0003-0249-8706, Patrick Eustaquio 0000-0002-8522-1122, Warittha Tieosapjaroen 0000-0001-9712-9262, Kate Leyritana, Michael Cassell, Jason J. Ong 0000-0001-5784-7403, Heather-Marie A. Schmidt 0000-0002-2629-6407, Nittaya Phanuphak 0000-0002-0036-3165, Curtis Chan 0000-0002-9581-1011 and Benjamin R. Bavinton 0000-0001-5834-8278

With HIV cases rapidly increasing in the Philippines, particularly among MSM, understanding how to improve access to prevention is more urgent than ever. This study reveals which features of HIV prevention services (such as cost, convenience, type of medication and delivery location) matter most to Filipino MSM. The findings highlight diverse preferences across different subgroups, offering critical insights to guide person-centered, community-based programs that make HIV prevention more accessible, acceptable and effective across the country.

This article belongs to the collection: Awareness, Preferenes, and the Use of PrEP in Asia Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Findings from the PrEP APPEAL Study.

SH25047Exploring syphilis activity for personalized treatment strategies in latent syphilis: a 2-year cohort study

Jia-Wen Xie, Ya-Wen Zheng, Shu-Hao Fan, Yin-Feng Guo, Ying Zheng, Yu Lin, Man-Li Tong and Li-Rong Lin 0000-0003-4503-9382

Latent syphilis, a hidden infection with no symptoms, has surged globally, yet current treatments often rely on uncertain disease staging. This study reveals that a simple antibody test (nontreponemal immunoglobulin M) can identify active infections, showing patients with positive immunoglobulin M take longer to recover and need tailored therapies. By personalizing treatment based on antibody levels, doctors can reduce unnecessary antibiotic use, especially in vulnerable groups, such as older adults, improving care and easing healthcare burdens.

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