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Sexual Health Sexual Health Society
Publishing on sexual health from the widest perspective
Table of Contents
Sexual Health

Sexual Health

Volume 17 Number 1 2020

SH19002Sexually transmissible infection testing among pregnant women in the US, 2011–15

Jami S. Leichliter, Laura T. Haderxhanaj, Thomas L. Gift and Patricia J. Dittus
pp. 1-8

Screening for sexually transmissible infections (STIs) during pregnancy is important to prevent adverse pregnancy outcomes. Using national survey data from the US, we found that many women are not receiving recommended STI screenings during pregnancy. Interventions may be needed to increase awareness of national STI testing recommendations among pregnant women and healthcare providers.

SH19140Antimicrobial resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Jakarta, Indonesia: a cross-sectional study

Wresti Indriatmi, Rizky Lendl Prayogo 0000-0002-7516-710X, Hanny Nilasari and Lis Surachmiati Suseno
pp. 9-14

The resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoeae to antimicrobials is a significant public health concern, but data on resistance from developing countries, including Indonesia, are scarce. This study addresses this critical issue. The study findings are in line with those of previous studies: there was a high proportion of N. gonorrhoeae resistance detected to penicillin, tetracycline and levofloxacin, but no decreased susceptibility to extended-spectrum cephalosporins.

SH19028Reduced sensitivity from pooled urine, pharyngeal and rectal specimens when using a molecular assay for the detection of chlamydia and gonorrhoea near the point of care

Steven G. Badman, Sara F. E. Bell, Judith A. Dean, Jime Lemoire, Luke Coffey, Joseph Debattista, Andrew M. Redmond, Owain D. Williams, Charles F. Gilks and David M. Whiley
pp. 15-21

When screening at-risk populations for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, pooling of individual urogenital, pharyngeal and anorectal specimens into one specimen near the point of care (POC) is feasible, offers potential cost and time savings, and is pertinent for low resource settings and screening programs. However, some reduction in diagnostic sensitivity of pooled specimens was observed in this study. A laboratory experiment conducted by us suggests this sensitivity may be improved by reducing the volume of urine used in the pooling method.

SH18193Pre-exposure prophylaxis and its implications in Mexico: notions of men who have sex with men

R. Baruch, S. M. Cuadra, J. Arellano, D. Sánchez, D. V. Ortega and A. Arredondo
pp. 22-28

In Mexico, public health services do not offer pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and the medication is very expensive. This study analysed the perceptions around PrEP and their implications in Mexican men who have sex with men. In contrast with other qualitative research, the participants in this study focused on the organisation of public health services: scarce resources, inaccessible brand drugs, mistreatment and stigmatisation within medical services.

SH19083'I make sure my doctor doesn't know that I use meth': perceived barriers to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake among community peer educators in Seattle (WA, USA)

Vanessa M. McMahan, Lauren R. Violette, Michele P. Andrasik, Aleks Martin, Lindsay Garske and Joanne D. Stekler
pp. 29-37

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake has been slow among cisgender men and transgender people who have sex with men (MSM/TG) and use methamphetamine, who are disproportionately affected by HIV in the US. Focus groups were conducted with peer educators of a harm reduction organisation in Seattle (WA, USA) to assess knowledge and perspectives regarding PrEP use among MSM/TG who use methamphetamine. Stigma related to the multiple marginalised identities of MSM/TG who use methamphetamine was identified a barrier to each step of the PrEP continuum, highlighting the importance of incorporating stigma reduction into PrEP delivery programs for MSM/TG who use methamphetamine.

SH19062Intersectional analysis of life stress, incarceration and sexual health risk practices among cisgender Black gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in the Deep South of the US: the MARI Study

Dustin T. Duncan, Denton Callander, Lisa Bowleg, Su Hyun Park, Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein, Katherine P. Theall and DeMarc A. Hickson
pp. 38-44

Using data from a sample of 355 cisgender Black gay, bisexual and other sexual minority men in Mississippi and Georgia, we assessed whether stress may interact with experiences of incarceration to influence sexual health risk practices. A history of incarceration strengthened the extant associations and was associated with having more sex partners and condomless anal sex with casual partners.

SH18194Correlates of alcohol and illicit drug use before commercial sex among transgender women with a history of sex work in China

Qian Wang, Ruijie Chang, Ying Wang, Xueqin Jiang, Shuxian Zhang, Qiuming Shen, Zixin Wang, Tiecheng Ma, Joseph T. F. Lau and Yong Cai
pp. 45-52

This study examined correlates of substance use before commercial sex among transgender female sex workers in China. We found low self-esteem and high levels of loneliness were associated with a greater likelihood of exclusive alcohol and exclusive drug use respectively; depression and unknown HIV status were associated with a greater likelihood of combined use of alcohol and drugs. Support for mental health and HIV screening should be included in programs aimed at reducing substance use among this population.

SH19037Sexual practices of female sex workers in Melbourne, Australia: an anonymous cross-sectional questionnaire study in 2017–18

Annalisa Zappulla, Christopher K. Fairley, Basil Donovan, Rebecca Guy, Catriona S. Bradshaw, Marcus Y. Chen, Tiffany R. Phillips 0000-0001-6920-7710, Kate Maddaford and Eric P. F. Chow 0000-0003-1766-0657
pp. 53-60

There have been limited studies examining the sexual behaviours among female sex workers (FSW) in Australia. This cross-sectional survey provided detailed sexual practices (e.g. kissing, condom use and number of clients for different types of sexual acts) among FSW in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Understanding the current sexual practices among FSW can inform the planning and designing of future sexual health education for FSW.


This article is a national population-based epidemiological survey of female low sexual desire disorder in mainland China. The prevalence of low sexual desire was 21.6%, and sexual desire was a noticeable predictor of sexual activity. A multifactorial assessment with a combination of psychological, social and physical interventions may be a good model for treatment strategies of low sexual desire.

SH19131A descriptive analysis of young women's pornography use: a tale of exploration and harm

Angela C. Davis, Meredith J. Temple-Smith, Elise Carrotte, Margaret E. Hellard and Megan S. C. Lim
pp. 69-76

Increased access to online pornography has led to concerns about the effect on young people’s sexual health. Despite viewing less often than young men, young women view pornography. This research aimed to describe pornography use and reflections on the influence of this use, among a sample of young Australian women. Findings reveal both positive and negative experiences among young women who view pornography and draw attention to the need for inclusive research methods to understand this complex sexual health issue.

SH19084Attitudes towards abortion in male and female adolescents with diverse sexual and pregnancy experiences: a cross-sectional study

Jacqueline Hendriks, Sue Fyfe, Dorota A. Doherty, Angela Jacques, Irene Styles, Martha Hickey and S. Rachel Skinner
pp. 77-86

Despite evidence that attitudes can be powerful modifiers of sexual behaviour, we know little about adolescent attitudes as they relate to the issue of abortion. This study examined attitudes to abortion using a diverse sample of adolescents who had varying experiences of sexual activity and pregnancy. The findings have implications for anyone working with young people because attitudes were strongly associated with riskier sexual practices, along with an adolescent’s ability to comprehend the impact of a pregnancy.


Failure to recruit diverse populations for research may exacerbate health disparities, specifically for young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) in the Deep South. Common recruitment methods exclude vulnerable YBMSM, but social media may be a more patient centred and effective method. Research must incorporate novel recruitment strategies in order to evaluate the healthcare needs of vulnerable patients.

SH18152Utility of a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) label indication for condoms for anal sex

Aaron J. Siegler, Lauren Ahlschlager, Elizabeth M. Rosenthal 0000-0003-3908-4136, Patrick S. Sullivan, Colleen F. Kelley, Eli S. Rosenberg, Travis H. Sanchez, Reneé H. Moore, C. Christina Mehta and Michael P. Cecil
pp. 91-95

Condoms are highly effective, yet are not currently indicated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for anal sex. We conducted a survey and found that 69% of respondents anticipated that a label indication would increase their likelihood of condom use. These results indicate that seeking an FDA label indication for condoms for anal sex is a worthy pursuit.

SH19111Polymetastatic testicular cancer turns out to be secondary syphilis: a case report

Mateusz M. Polaczek, Katarzyna Smolarczyk, Inga Baranska, Renata Langfort and Slawomir Majewski
pp. 96-99

The increase in the number of syphilis cases is manifesting with new types of organ involvement. Here we present a case of testicular, skin, lung and bone lesions in secondary syphilis. Syphilis is a great pretender: some cases are misinterpreted as advanced cancer.


Although pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has tremendous advantages for HIV prevention, upward trends in sexually transmissible infections may have stemmed from a reduced use of condoms among people using PrEP. This study of young men who have sex with men found that those taking PrEP were less likely to use condoms than those not taking PrEP. Public health efforts should begin to focus more intensely on promoting the dual use of condoms and PrEP.

Committee on Publication Ethics