Evaluating the Impact of a Dutch Sexual Health Intervention for Adolescents: Think-Aloud and Semistructured Interview Study

Laboratory Industry Perspectives on the Role of Self-Collection and Self-Testing in Remote Care for Sexually Transmitted Infections: How Do We Bring These Services to Scale?

BackgroundRegular HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing for men who have sex with men (MSM) is an important means of infection prevention, the adoption of which remains suboptimal in the community.ObjectiveOn the hypothesis that engagement plays an important role in sexual health monitoring, this study aimed to pilot-test internet-based HIV and STI testing with self-sampling to enhance engagement of MSM with regular testing.MethodsThis 1-year cohort study was conducted on HIV-negative MSM aged 18 years or older. A designated website was set up to enable participants to make appointments for baseline and follow-up visits at 3-monthly intervals. On-site blood sampling was performed for HIV and syphilis tests, along with self-collection of pharyngeal swabs, rectal swabs, and urine samples for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) testing. Full engagement, as defined by having made at least 3 visits over a 6-12 months’ follow-up period, was compared with partial engagement in the bivariable logistic regression model.ResultsBetween August 2019 and October 2020, 204 MSM were recruited, after the exclusion of 2 baseline HIV-positive MSM. The majority (189/204, 92.7%) were Chinese, the median age was 31 (IQR 26-39) years, and 58.0% (116/200) had experience with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) at baseline. Full engagement (146/204, 71.6%) was associated with incident STI during the follow-ups (odds ratio [OR] 4.23, 95% CI 1.63-10.94), seeking a medical referral after STI detection (OR 10.25, 95% CI 3.25-29.79), and a synchronized schedule of HIV and STI testing with PrEP visits (OR 51.85, 95% CI 19.30-139.34). No incident HIV was detected in the follow-up period. At baseline, the overall STI (CT, NG, or syphilis) prevalence was 30%, with CT at 18%, NG at 13%, and syphilis at 5%. During follow-up, the incidences were 59.08/100 person-years (py) for any STI, 33.05/100 py for CT, 29.86/100 py for NG, and 10.4/100 py for syphilis. The detection rates of CT and NG in urine samples were lower than with pharyngeal swabs and rectal swabs. The scores for convenience, confidence of correct sampling, and accuracy of self-sampling were high (7 to 8 out of 10).ConclusionsBoth baseline prevalence and incidence of STI were high among MSM engaged in regular testing. A high degree of engagement in regular STI and HIV testing was positively associated with incident STI, history of health-seeking behaviors, and perceived convenience of self-sampling. Self-sampling could be introduced as a means of enhancing engagement in regular HIV and STI testing.

BackgroundTo explore university students’ Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing knowledge, psychosocial and demographic predictors of past STI testing behaviour, intentions to have an STI test, and high risk sexual behaviour, to inform interventions promoting STI testing in this population.MethodsA cross-sectional, quantitative online survey was conducted in March 2016, recruiting university students from North East Scotland via an all-student email. The anonymous questionnaire assessed student demographics (e.g. sex, ethnicity, age), STI testing behaviours, sexual risk behaviours, knowledge and five psychological constructs thought to be predictive of STI testing from theory and past research: attitudes, perceived susceptibility to STIs, social norms, social fear and self-efficacy.ResultsThe sample contained 1294 sexually active students (response rate 10%) aged 18–63, mean age = 23.61 (SD 6.39), 888 (69%) were female. Amongst participants, knowledge of STIs and testing was relatively high, and students held generally favourable attitudes. 52% reported ever having an STI test, 13% intended to have one in the next month; 16% reported unprotected sex with more than one ‘casual’ partner in the last six months. Being female, older, a postgraduate, longer UK residence, STI knowledge, perceived susceptibility, subjective norms, attitudes and self-efficacy all positively predicted past STI testing behaviour (p < 0.01). Perceived susceptibility to STIs and social norms positively predicted intentions to have an STI test in the next month (p < 0.05); perceived susceptibility also predicted past high-risk sexual behaviour (p < 0.01).ConclusionsSeveral psychosocial predictors of past STI testing, of high-risk sexual behaviour and future STI intentions were identified. Health promotion STI testing interventions could focus on male students and target knowledge, attitude change, and increasing perceived susceptibility to STIs, social norms and self-efficacy towards STI-testing.

BackgroundRising rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescents and young adults are concerning. Emergency department (ED) visits offer a unique opportunity to increase STI testing. However, providers in the ED may not have the time or self-efficacy to screen patients, and patients may be unable to initiate discussion on their STI care needs. A patient decision aid may improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the ED encounter for STI testing.ObjectiveThis study aims to pilot STI Check in the Emergency Room (STIckER) app, a shared decision-making aid for urinary, oral, and rectal gonorrhea and chlamydia testing among adolescents and young adults, and assess STIckER’s efficacy and implementation outcomes in an adult and pediatric ED.MethodsWe are conducting a parallel-group, two-arm provider-randomized controlled pilot trial in the adult and pediatric EDs at an urban academic medical center. Fifty providers were randomized 1:1 to intervention (trained on STIckER) or control (standard of care). Adolescents and young adults aged 14‐24 years, English-speaking, and sexually active within the past 6 months are recruited during eligible shifts and assigned to the study arm of their provider. The standard of care comparator consists of usual provider-initiated STI discussions and testing without access to the decision aid; control participants receive a QR code directing them to a simple landing page encouraging them to ask their provider about STI testing. The planned enrollment target was 44 providers and 140 adolescent and young adult participants. Primary outcome is preliminary efficacy, defined as the proportion of adolescents and young adults receiving gonorrhea and chlamydia testing based on electronic medical record (EMR) review. Secondary outcomes include extragenital testing uptake, STI positivity rates, decisional conflict, and perceived level of shared decision-making. Implementation outcomes include feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness (using acceptability of intervention measure, intervention appropriateness measure, and feasibility of intervention measure), and provider self-efficacy. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression models, with mixed-effects models applied if clustering by provider is detected. Exploratory analyses will examine differences by patient age, gender, and sexual identity, and provider characteristics.ResultsBetween September 2023 and July 2025, we completed recruitment of 44 providers and 139 adolescent and young adult participants across both adult and pediatric EDs. Enrollment targets were met, with high fidelity to intervention delivery and strong rates of survey completion by both patients and providers. Final data cleaning and analyses are underway, and primary results are expected to be available in late 2025.ConclusionsThis pilot trial will provide critical data on the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a digital SDM tool to increase STI testing in the ED. Findings will inform the design of a future multisite trial and the potential for scaling STIckER to support equitable, patient-centered STI screening across diverse clinical settings.

ObjectivePregnant and postpartum women (PPW) in Southern Africa are at increased risk of acquiring HIV and curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is safe and effective to...

BackgroundRates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have been rising in the United States (US). Physician offices play an important role in providing both STI prevention and education, as well as STI laboratory testing options for patients who present at risk. However, few studies have documented the extent to which physician’s offices have contributed to prevention and testing efforts. We address this gap by evaluating STI testing and education provided in US physician offices from 2009 to 2016.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) from 2009 to 2016. Data weights were applied to extrapolate sample data to national estimates. Testing for HIV, HPV, Chlamydia (2009 – 2016) and Hepatitis and Gonorrhea (2014 – 2016) were presented as testing visits per 1,000 total visits. Subgroup analyses were performed for age group, sex, and geographical region by individual STI test and receipt of STI prevention education.ResultsA total of 7.6 billion visits were included for analysis, of which 0.6% included an STI test. Testing rates increased over the study period for Chlamydia (R2=0.27), HPV (R2=0.28), and HIV (R2=0.51). Peak testing occurred in 2015 for all tests. STI prevention education was provided to 0.5% of patients. Females were tested at a higher rate for all STIs (4.2%) compared to males (0.4%). Females also received more STI prevention education overall (0.6% versus 0.4%, respectively). While the age group 25 – 24 accounted for highest Hepatitis (15.9%) and HPV (11.3%) testing rates, the 15 – 24 age group had the highest overall testing rate (9.4%). STI testing was highest in the South region (Figure 1).ConclusionSTI testing in US physician offices increased in recent years. Females accounted for the majority of STI testing and STI prevention education. Testing was more frequent among patients 15 – 24 years old and those seen in the South region. Further research should be conducted to determine reasons for differences in testing and education amongst sex, age group, and geographic region.DisclosuresAll Authors: No reported disclosures

Current guidelines recommend that sexually active men who have sex with men (MSM) be screened at least annually for bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) at sites of sexual contact regardless of condom use. Extragenital (rectal and pharyngeal) STI are common in MSM and associated with an increased risk of human immunodeficiency virus. We describe the prevalence of MSM who reported any STI test and an extragenital STI test in the past 12 months (p12m) in the United States. Data were obtained from the 2017 American Men's Internet Survey, an annual cross-sectional behavioral internet survey of MSM in the United States. We examined the prevalence of MSM who reported any STI test and an extragenital STI test in the p12m and compared the prevalence across demographic, clinical, and behavioral factors. Of 10,049 sexually active MSM who participated in American Men's Internet Survey 2017, 42% reported any STI test in the p12m and 16% reported an extragenital (rectal or pharyngeal) STI test in the p12m. Among those who reported getting an extragenital STI test in the p12m, 19% reported providing a throat swab only, 14% reported providing a rectal swab only, and 68% reported providing both a rectal and throat swab for STI testing. In a large sample of internet-using MSM in the United States, levels of STI screening were suboptimal, with fewer than half (42%) of MSM reporting any STI test and even fewer reporting an extragenital STI test in the p12m. Increased efforts are needed to ensure annual STI screening guidelines among MSM are implemented.

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis(CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) are the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) worldwide. In the absence of affordable point-of-care STI tests, WHO recommends STI testing based on risk factors. This study aimed to develop a prediction tool with a sensitivity of >90% and efficiency (defined as the percentage of individuals that are eligible for diagnostic testing) of <60%. Methods: This study offered CT/NG testing as part of a cluster-randomised trial of community-based delivery of sexual and reproductive health services to youth aged 16-24 years in Zimbabwe. All individuals accepting STI testing completed an STI risk factor questionnaire. The outcome was positivity for either CT or NG. Backwards-stepwise logistic regression was performed with p≥0.05 as criteria for exclusion. Coefficients of variables included in the final multivariable model were multiplied by 10 to generate weights for a STI risk prediction tool. A maximum likelihood Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) model was fitted, with the continuous variable score divided into 15 categories of equal size. Sensitivity, efficiency and number needed to screen were calculated for different cut-points. Findings: From 3 December 2019 to 5 February 2020, 1007 individuals opted for STI testing, of whom 1003 (99.6%) completed the questionnaire. CT/NG prevalence was 17.5% (95%CI 15.1, 19.8) (n=175). CT/NG positivity was independently associated with being female, number of lifetime sexual partners, relationship status, HIV status, self-assessed STI risk and past or current pregnancy. The STI risk prediction score including those variables ranged from 2 to 46 with an area under the ROC curve of 0.72 (95%CI 0.68, 0.76). Two cut-points were chosen: i) 23 for optimised sensitivity (75.9%) and specificity (59.3%) and ii) 19 to maximise sensitivity (82.4%) while keeping efficiency at <60% (59.4%). Interpretation: The high prevalence of STIs among youth, even in those with no or one reported risk factor, may preclude the use of risk prediction tools for selective STI testing. At a cut-point of 19 one in six young people with STIs would be missed. Trial Registration: This study was nested within a cluster-randomised trial (CHIEDZA) of an integrated package of HIV and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for youth delivered in community-based settings in Zimbabwe (registered in clinical trials.gov: NCT03719521) Funding Statement: The study is funded by the Wellcome Trust. Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: Written informed consent was obtained from study participants. This study was approved by the LSHTM Research Ethics Committee (16948) and the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe (MRCZ/A/2387).

IntroductionWith the rise of social media and smartphones, millennials increasingly report meeting their romantic partners through mobile dating apps. Yet there is concern that this may also be the reason...

A Computerized Sexual Health Survey Improves Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infection in a Pediatric Emergency Department

Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing in Adolescents: Current Practices in the Hospital Setting

Bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) cause a substantial disease burden worldwide and disproportionately impact young people. In Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are a priority population in STI testing guidelines. The More Options for STI Testing trial evaluated whether providing an incentive impacted STI testing rates in select Central Australian communities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 16 to 29 years were eligible for a A$30 phone voucher if they had an STI test at a participating Aboriginal community-controlled primary health care clinic. An interrupted time series analysis examined monthly STI test counts for chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis from 2015 to 2020, to determine whether testing increased during the incentives phase (2018-2020). There were a total of 10,457 visits to the clinic in which an STI test was conducted, 5110 of which were during the incentives period. A total of 1526 incentives were provided to eligible clients. The baseline and incentives periods were each divided into 2 phases to account for new clinic openings and the COVID-19 pandemic. Among men, average monthly visits for an STI test were 32.6 (baseline phase 1), 44.1 (baseline phase 2), 50.8 (incentives phase), and 35.4 (incentives/COVID-19 phase). Women had 93.5, 111.3, 118.8, and 113.4 visits, respectively. No significant change in STI testing was observed during the incentives phase. The proportion of visits for an STI test where an incentive was paid (coverage) varied by month, from 36% to 76% of consultations. The limited impact of incentives could be explained by low coverage or that the incentive was not motivating enough to overcome STI testing barriers. Future studies should investigate alternative methods of increasing STI testing in remote Central Australia, including through primary care clinics.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) self-collection increases cervical cancer screening uptake among women underscreened for cervical cancer, particularly those from marginalized low-income and racial and ethnic backgrounds. Underscreened women are also at high risk for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that can be similarly screened via self-collection. To evaluate an intervention streamlining testing for other STIs alongside HPV self-collected samples among low-income women. This is a secondary analysis of the My Body, My Test-3 study, a randomized clinical trial testing a mailed self-collection intervention to improve cervical cancer screening. The My Body, My Test-3 study was conducted from April 2016 to December 2019 in 22 counties in North Carolina among low-income women overdue for cervical cancer screening. This analysis included participants randomized to the trial intervention group with valid STI and HPV results. Data analysis occurred from October 2024 to February 2025. The intervention included a mailed self-collection kit and instructions to self-collect a cervicovaginal sample. Samples were tested for other STIs and HPV using the Aptima assay. The primary outcome was a positive test result for other STIs (including chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis). A risk factor analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with testing positive for other STIs. Secondary outcomes included rate of follow-up care and perceptions of self-collection among participants with positive STI results. Among 327 participants (median [IQR] age, 42 [25-63] years; 38 [8.6%] Hispanic, 146 [44.7%] non-Hispanic Black, and 133 [40.7%] non-Hispanic White), 51 (15.6%) tested positive for other STIs and 51 (15.6%) tested positive for HPV; 7 (2.1%) tested positive for both. Risk factors for other STIs included non-Hispanic Black race and ethnicity compared with non-Hispanic White race and ethnicity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.1; 95% CI, 1.5-11.6), having 2 or more sexual partners in the last year compared with having none (aOR, 5.7; 95% CI, 1.0-31.4), single marital status compared with married or partnered status (aOR, 5.6; 95% CI, 1.1-27.9), and current smoking compared with none (aOR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.7-10.4). Among participants who tested positive for other STIs, 34 (66.7%) received follow-up care. Most participants (130 [84.4%]) preferred testing for both HPV and other STIs in the future. In this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial of 327 participants, nearly 1 in 6 tested positive for other STIs via streamlined testing in a mailed HPV self-collection intervention. Self-collection may improve both cervical cancer and STI screening for women from marginalized backgrounds. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02651883.

BackgroundFemale entertainment workers (FEWs) in Cambodia experience a greater prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), psychological distress, substance abuse, and gender-based violence (GBV) than the general female population. Reaching FEWs with health education and linking them to services has been difficult because of their hidden and stigmatized status.ObjectiveThis study evaluated the efficacy of the Mobile Link intervention in improving FEWs’ health by engaging and connecting them to existing HIV, sexual and reproductive health, and GBV services.MethodsA randomized controlled trial was conducted between March 2018 and June 2019 in the capital city and 3 other provinces in Cambodia. FEWs in the intervention arm received automated twice-weekly Short Message Service messages and voice messages with health information and direct links to outreach workers. The control group received the existing standard care, including free HIV and STI counseling and testing and a toll-free helpline staffed by trained counselors. We used a stratified random sampling method to select participants from 5 study sites in the 4 selected provinces. Initially, we randomly selected 600 participants from a list of 4000 FEWs by age group (18-24 and 25-30 years) and study site using a random number generator and enrolled them in person. The primary outcome measures included self-reported HIV and STI testing, condom use, and contraceptive use assessed through a face-to-face structured interview. We also measured secondary outcomes, including contact with outreach workers, escorted referral service use, forced drinking, and GBV experiences. Intervention effects were modeled using repeated measures, multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression.ResultsA total of 1118 participants were recruited and enrolled in the study. We included 218 FEWs in the intervention arm and 170 FEWs in the control arm in the per protocol analyses after removing 730 dropouts. Evidence of positive intervention effects was detected for the following secondary outcomes: contacting an outreach worker (at 30 weeks: adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.29, 95% CI 1.28-8.47), receiving an escorted referral (at 30 weeks: AOR 2.86, 95% CI 1.09-7.52; at 60 weeks: AOR 8.15, 95% CI 1.65-40.25), and never being forced to drink at work (at 60 weeks: AOR 3.95, 95% CI 1.62-9.60). Over time, no significant differences between intervention and control groups were observed for any primary outcomes in the fully adjusted models.ConclusionsThe Mobile Link intervention effectively connected FEWs with outreach workers and escorted referrals but did not show an effect on primary outcomes. Reduced forced drinking at work was also significantly more extensive in the intervention group than in the control group. Longer-term messaging may increase access to services and impact FEWs’ health outcomes in the future.Trial RegistrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT03117842; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03117842International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-10.1186/s13063-018-2614-7

BackgroundMpox is recognized as a sexually transmitted infection, and the 2022 epidemic and 2024 resurgence of mpox cases through sexual transmission highlighted the need for sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing. Our objective was to observe rates of STI testing and STI diagnoses in patients with confirmed mpox in Houston, Texas and New York City, New York (NY).MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study involving manual review of confirmed mpox cases at three large clinical centers in Houston, Texas and New York City, NY. Descriptive statistics were calculated for rates of STI testing and new diagnoses of syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea.ResultsThere were 404 patients in the cohort from the three different clinical sites. The median age was 33 years. 66% underwent STI testing within two weeks of their mpox diagnosis. Among those who were tested, there were 71 patients with a new STI. Syphilis was the most newly diagnosed STI with 31 new cases. Most of the chlamydia and gonorrhea cases were extragenital (81%). Rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea tended to be higher in patients reporting site-specific symptoms (ex. pharyngitis, urethritis) than in asymptomatic patients. However, rates of STI testing were still low even in patients reporting site-specific symptoms. 63.6% of those reporting urinary symptoms, 51.9% of those reporting rectal symptoms and 47.4% reporting pharyngitis symptoms were tested for site-specific chlamydia and gonorrhea.ConclusionsOur findings highlight a gap in STI testing even in patients at high risk presenting with mpox, a sexually transmitted infection.