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King AJ, Bilardi JE, Maddaford K, Fairley CK, Chow EP, Phillips TR. Sexual health clinic attendees' views on antibiotic post-exposure prophylaxis and vaccinations for sexually transmitted infections prevention: A qualitative study. Prev Med Rep 2024; 38:102628. [PMID: 38375181 PMCID: PMC10874840 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2024.102628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The rising prevalence of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is cause for concern in the context of antimicrobial resistance and the potential health outcomes of untreated infections. Objective The Community Awareness and Surveillance of Transmission (CAST) study sought sexual health service users' views on reducing the prevalence of STIs. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with sexual health clinic attendees who had received a diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhea or syphilis in the previous six months. Participant comments relating to antibiotic post-exposure prophylaxis (APEP) and vaccination were inductively coded, then compared using comparative qualitative data analysis methods described by Miles and Huberman. Findings Twenty-one participants with differing genders, ages, nationalities and sexual orientations, were interviewed. Participants across informant groups expressed concerns about APEP for STI prevention because of potential antimicrobial resistance and personal health impacts. Vaccination against bacterial STIs was more acceptable. Common factors mentioned in relation to both interventions included perception of individual STI risk over time, safety, effectiveness and accessibility. Conclusions The views of sexual health service users support efforts to find alternatives to more frequent use of antibiotics, such as vaccinations against bacterial STIs, to reduce STI incidence and support antimicrobial stewardship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia J. King
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jade E. Bilardi
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of General Practice, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kate Maddaford
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher K. Fairley
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eric P.F. Chow
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tiffany R. Phillips
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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King AJ, Bilardi JE, Fairley CK, Maddaford K, Chow EPF, Phillips TR. Australian Sexual Health Service Users' Perspectives on Reducing the Oral Transmission of Bacterial STIs: A Qualitative Study. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2023:1-12. [PMID: 38016028 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2023.2278528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Growing rates of bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STIs) demand new approaches to STI prevention. Sexual practices involving saliva or direct contact with the mouth increase the risk of STI transmission, but community awareness remains largely unexplored in the literature. The Community Awareness and Surveillance of STI Transmission study sought to explore sexual health clinic attendees' awareness of oral STIs; experiences when seeking testing and treatment; and acceptable educational and clinical interventions. Twenty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with a diverse group of Melbourne Sexual Health Center attendees'. Reflective thematic analysis was undertaken, revealing key themes across people of different genders, sexual identities, ages, and nationalities. All participants emphasized the importance of understanding how their sexual practices might put them at risk of an oral STI. They also sought care from specialist sexual health services with the expectation that health-care providers (HCPs) in these settings had more understanding of diverse sexual practices. Participants' decisions to protect themselves against oral STIs were primarily driven by the effect the decision had on pleasure and intimacy. Comfort during the health-care encounter and trust in HCPs facilitated better understanding of individual STI risk. Differences in awareness and risk reduction strategies were noted based on past experience with oral testing and STIs. These findings highlight the importance of HCPs and public health interventions providing solutions that recognize the central role of pleasure and intimacy in our sexual lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia J King
- Central Clinical School, Monash University
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health
| | - Jade E Bilardi
- Central Clinical School, Monash University
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Central Clinical School, Monash University
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health
| | - Kate Maddaford
- Central Clinical School, Monash University
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health
| | - Eric P F Chow
- Central Clinical School, Monash University
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health
| | - Tiffany R Phillips
- Central Clinical School, Monash University
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health
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