An evaluation of existing text de-identification tools for use with patient progress notes from Australian general practice.

Introduction: Digitized patient progress notes from general practice represent a significant resource for clinical and public health research but cannot feasibly and ethically be used for these purposes without automated de-identification. Internationally, several open-source natural language processing tools have been developed, however, given wide variations in clinical documentation practices, these cannot be utilized without appropriate review. We evaluated the performance of four de-identification tools and assessed their suitability for customization to Australian general practice progress notes.

Sexual behaviour during COVID-19: a repeated cross-sectional survey in Victoria, Australia.

Background: During 2020, the State of Victoria (Australia) experienced two COVID-19 waves. Both resulted in community lockdowns followed by eased restrictions. We examined variation of sexual behaviour in Victorians over time during COVID-19.

Alcohol availability and prevalent Chlamydia trachomatis in young Australians: a multi-level analysis.

Background Prevalence of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) has been associated with availability of alcohol. This paper investigates potential associations between prevalent cases of chlamydia in young people in Australia and the availability of alcohol within their local area, defined as postcode of residence. Methods Alcohol availability was determined at the postcode level using liquor licensing data, classified as total number of licences, number of 'take-away' licences and number of licenses by population.

Correction to: A rapid review of early guidance to prevent and control COVID-19 in custodial settings.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s40352-021-00150-w.].

A rapid review of early guidance to prevent and control COVID-19 in custodial settings.

Background: With over 11 million people incarcerated globally, prevention and control of COVID-19 in custodial settings is a critical component of the public health response. Given the risk of rapid transmission in these settings, it is important to know what guidance existed for responding to COVID-19 in the early stages of the pandemic. We sought to identify, collate, and summarise guidance for the prevention and control of COVID-19 in custodial settings in the first six months of 2020.

Patient delivered partner therapy for chlamydia infection is used by some general practitioners, but more support is needed to increase uptake: findings from a mixed-methods study.

Objectives: Patient-delivered partner therapy (PDPT) describes the giving of a prescription or antibiotics by an index case with chlamydia to their sexual partners. PDPT has been associated with higher numbers of partners receiving treatment. In Australia, general practitioners (GPs) previously expressed negative views about PDPT.

Contraceptive use and pregnancy plans among women of reproductive age during the first Australian COVID-19 lockdown: findings from an online survey.

Purpose: Australia introduced 'lockdown' measures to control COVID-19 on 22 March 2020 which continued for a period of two months. We aimed to investigate the impact this had on sexual and reproductive health (SRH).

Materials And Methods: Australians aged 18+ were eligible to participate in an online survey from 23 April to 11 May 2020.

New best practice guidance for general practice to reduce chlamydia-associated reproductive complications in women.

Background: Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed bacterial sexually transmissible infection (STI) in Australia, with most infections diagnosed and managed in general practice. Often asymptomatic, left untreated it can cause serious reproductive complications in women. There is now global recognition of the importance of enhanced chlamydia case management to reduce the risk of repeat infection and minimise harms of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

A chlamydia education and training program for general practice nurses: reporting the effect on chlamydia testing uptake.

The long-term health consequences of untreated chlamydia are an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancies and infertility among women. To support increased chlamydia testing, and as part of a randomised controlled trial of a chlamydia intervention in general practice, a chlamydia education and training program for general practice nurses (GPN) was developed. The training aimed to increase GPNs' chlamydia knowledge and management skills.

'It's literally giving them a solution in their hands': the views of young Australians towards patient-delivered partner therapy for treating chlamydia.

Objectives: Patient-delivered partner therapy (PDPT) is a method for providing antibiotic treatment for the sexual partners of an index patient with an STI by means of a prescription or medication that the index patient gives to their sexual partner(s). Qualitative research regarding barriers and enablers to PDPT has largely focused on the views of healthcare providers. In this study, we sought to investigate the views of young people (as potential health consumers) regarding PDPT for chlamydia.

Love during lockdown: findings from an online survey examining the impact of COVID-19 on the sexual health of people living in Australia.

Introduction: Australia recorded its first case of COVID-19 in late January 2020. On 22P March 2020, amid increasing daily case numbers, the Australian Government implemented lockdown restrictions to help 'flatten the curve'. Our study aimed to understand the impact of lockdown restrictions on sexual and reproductive health.

Sexually transmissible infections, partner notification and intimate relationships: a qualitative study exploring the perspectives of general practitioners and people with a recent chlamydia infection.

Unlabelled: Background Individuals diagnosed with a chlamydia infection are advised to notify their sexual partners from the previous 6 months so that they too can get tested and treated as appropriate. Partner notification is an essential component of chlamydia management, helping to prevent ongoing transmission and repeat infection in the index case. However, partner notification can be challenging, particularly in circumstances where a relationship has ended or transmission has occurred beyond the primary relationship.

'Most women really actually do just appreciate being asked': clinicians' views on integrating sexual wellbeing into contraceptive care.

A growing body of literature suggests that contraceptives' impact on sexual experiences influences willingness to initiate and continue with a method. Little is known, however, about how clinicians engage with clients on this topic during contraceptive consultations. Fifteen clinicians in South Eastern Australia participated in semi-structured interviews between April and June 2019.

Corrigendum to: Condom use among young women in Australia using long-acting reversible contraceptives or other hormonal contraceptives.

Dual condom and long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) or non-LARC hormonal contraceptive use is the most effective way to protect against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmissible infections (STIs). This study aimed to determine whether condom use varied between users of LARC and non-LARC hormonal contraceptives and explore their motivations for condom use. Women aged 16-24 years attending a sexual and reproductive health centre in Melbourne, Australia, completed a survey about contraceptives and sexual practices.

Patient-delivered partner therapy for chlamydia in Australia: can it become part of routine care?

Unlabelled: Background Patient-delivered partner therapy (PDPT) is a method for an index patient to give treatment for genital chlamydia to their sexual partner(s) directly. In Australia, PDPT is considered suitable for heterosexual partners of men and women, but is not uniformly endorsed. We explored the policy environment for PDPT in Australia and considered how PDPT might become a routine option.

The Views of Patients and Partners Toward Patient-Delivered Partner Therapy for Chlamydia: A Systematic Review.

Background: The majority of research on patient-delivered partner therapy (PDPT) has focused on its impact on reinfections. This study aimed to systematically review the evidence regarding the acceptability of PDPT by patients and partners for chlamydia infection.

Methods: Three electronic databases were searched in March 2019 using terms related to PDPT.

Condom use in young women using long-acting reversible contraception (LARC): a qualitative study.

Young women in Australia disproportionately experience unintended pregnancy and sexually transmissible infections (STIs). As the promotion of highly effective pregnancy prevention methods such as long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) increases, concurrent use of condoms with LARC remains optimal for pregnancy and STI prevention. There is little data exploring condom use behaviour in young Australian women using LARC.

The effectiveness, feasibility and scalability of the school platform in adolescent mental healthcare.

Purpose Of Review: Schools are increasingly at the forefront of mental healthcare for young people internationally. This review aims to describe recent developments in school-based mental health activities to respond to mental health needs in adolescents, with a focus on empirical studies aimed at preventing, ameliorating or treating mental disorders.

Recent Findings: The field is characterized by substantial heterogeneity in program design and research methods.

Condom use among young women in Australia using long-acting reversible contraceptives or other hormonal contraceptives.

Unlabelled: Background Dual condom and long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) or non-LARC hormonal contraceptive use is the most effective way to protect against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmissible infections (STIs). This study aimed to determine whether condom use varied between users of LARC and non-LARC hormonal contraceptives and explore their motivations for condom use.

Methods: Women aged 16-24 years attending a sexual and reproductive health centre in Melbourne, Australia, completed a survey about contraceptives and sexual practices.

Population effectiveness of opportunistic chlamydia testing in primary care in Australia: a cluster-randomised controlled trial.

Background: Screening young adults who are sexually active for genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection is promoted in several high-income countries, but its effectiveness at the population level is highly debated. We aimed to investigate the effects of opportunistic chlamydia testing in primary care on the estimated chlamydia prevalence in the population aged 16-29 years in Australia.

Methods: We did a cluster-randomised controlled trial.

'It Opened My Eyes'-examining the impact of a multifaceted chlamydia testing intervention on general practitioners using Normalization Process Theory.

Background: Chlamydia is the most common notifiable sexually transmissible infection in Australia. Left untreated, it can develop into pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. The majority of notifications come from general practice and it is ideally situated to test young Australians.

The impact of a chlamydia education program on practice nurse's knowledge and attitudes in relation to chlamydia testing: a cross-sectional survey.

Unlabelled: Background We aimed to determine the impact of a chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) education program on the knowledge of and attitudes towards chlamydia testing of practice nurses (PNs).

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at baseline and 6-12 months following recruitment with PNs in the Australian Chlamydia Control Effectiveness Pilot. Likert scales were analysed as continuous variables (scores), and t-tests were used to assess changes in mean scores between survey rounds and groups.

Do Australian general practitioners believe practice nurses can take a role in chlamydia testing? A qualitative study of attitudes and opinions.

Background: Chlamydia notifications continue to rise in young people in many countries and regular chlamydia testing is an important prevention strategy. Although there have been initiatives to increase testing in primary care, none have specifically investigated the role of practice nurses (PNs) in maximising testing rates. PNs have previously expressed a willingness to be involved, but noted lack of support from general practitioners (GPs) as a barrier.

Practice nurse chlamydia testing in Australian general practice: a qualitative study of benefits, barriers and facilitators.

Background: Chlamydia infection is a significant public health issue for young people; however, testing rates in Australian general practice are low. Practice nurses (PNs) could have an important role in contributing to increasing chlamydia testing rates. The Australian Chlamydia Control Effectiveness Pilot (ACCEPt), a large cluster randomised control trial of annual testing for 16 to 29 year olds in general practice, is the first to investigate the role of PNs in maximising testing rates.

Using computer-assisted survey instruments instead of paper and pencil increased completeness of self-administered sexual behavior questionnaires.

Objectives: To compare the data quality, logistics, and cost of a self-administered sexual behavior questionnaire administered either using a computer-assisted survey instrument (CASI) or by paper and pencil in a primary care clinic.

Study Design And Setting: A self-administered sexual behavior questionnaire was administered to 16-29 year olds attending general practice. Questionnaires were administered by either paper and pencil (paper) or CASI.