Associations between oral sex practices and frequent mouthwash use in heterosexuals: a cross-sectional survey in Melbourne, Australia.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency of mouthwash use and its association to oral sex practice in heterosexuals.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Setting: Data obtained from a sexual health clinic in Victoria, Australia, between March 2019 and April 2019.

Effect of age on the association between recreational drug use and sexual risk behaviour: a cross-sectional observational analysis.

Recreational drug use (RDU) among gay and bisexual men (GBM) is associated with higher-risk sexual behaviours, however this has not been well defined among older GBM. We investigated the association between RDU and sexual behaviours among older GBM in Sydney, Australia. 617 GBM aged 35-79 years self-reported their RDU in the past 6 months and sexual behaviours.

Validation of a Clinical Prediction Rule to Predict Asymptomatic Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Infections Among Internet-Based Testers.

Background: Clinical prediction rules (CPRs) can be used in sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing environments to prioritize individuals at the highest risk of infection and optimize resource allocation. We previously derived a CPR to predict asymptomatic chlamydia and/or gonorrhea (CT/NG) infection among women and heterosexual men at in-person STI clinics based on 5 predictors. Population differences between clinic-based and Internet-based testers may limit the tool's application across settings.

Modeling the epidemiological impact and cost-effectiveness of a combined schoolgirl HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening program among Chinese women.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is common in women and also the main cause of cervical cancer. Based on a dynamic compartmental model, we aimed to evaluate the population impact and cost-effectiveness of strategies that combined cervical cancer screening and HPV schoolgirl vaccination for Chinese women. The effectiveness of interventions was assessed by comparing modeled scenarios to the status quo, where a 3-y cervical cancer screening program remained at a 20% coverage and without a universal HPV vaccination program.

Trends and differences in sexual practices and sexually transmitted infections in men who have sex with men only (MSMO) and men who have sex with men and women (MSMW): a repeated cross-sectional study in Melbourne, Australia.

Objectives: In the 2010s, there has been an increase in sexually transmitted infections (STI) in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Australia, and since 2015 also in urban heterosexuals. Men who have sex with both men and women (MSMW) have characteristics that may differ from both men who have sex with men only (MSMO) and heterosexual men. We aimed to compare the sexual practices and the trends in HIV/STI positivity between MSMO and MSMW.

HIV, Immune Dysfunction, and the Natural History of Anal High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Infection in Gay and Bisexual Men.

Background: Incidence of anal cancer is highest in gay and bisexual men (GBM). Better understanding of the natural history of anal high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection is needed for anal cancer prevention.

Methods: The Study of the Prevention of Anal Cancer was a 3-year study of Australian GBM, aged 35 years or older.

"Moving from one environment to another, it doesn't automatically change everything". Exploring the transnational experience of Asian-born gay and bisexual men who have sex with men newly arrived in Australia.

Asian-born gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) who are newly arrived in Australia are at a higher risk of acquiring HIV than Australian-born gbMSM. We used a social constructionist framework to explore HIV knowledge and prevention strategies used by newly-arrived Asian-born gbMSM. Twenty four Asian-born gbMSM, aged 20-34 years, attending Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, who arrived in Australia in the preceding five years, participated in semi-structured, face-to-face interviews.

Modelling the contribution that different sexual practices involving the oropharynx and saliva have on infections at multiple anatomical sites in men who have sex with men.

Background: The spectrum of sexual practices that transmit in men who have sex with men (MSM) is controversial. No studies have modelled potential transmission when one sexual practice follows another in the same sexual encounter ('sequential sexual practices'). Our aim was to test what sequential practices were necessary to replicate the high proportion of MSM who have more than one anatomical site infected with gonorrhoea ('multisite infection').

Incidence and duration of incident oropharyngeal gonorrhoea and chlamydia infections among men who have sex with men: prospective cohort study.

Objectives: This prospective cohort study aimed to determine the natural history and incidence of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea and chlamydia among a cohort of men who have sex with men (MSM) over a 12-week period, and to examine risk factors associated with incident oropharyngeal infections.

Methods: MSM either aged ≥18 years and had a diagnosis of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea by nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) in the past 3 months or aged 18-35 years who were HIV-negative taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) were eligible for this study. Enrolled men were followed up for 12 weeks.

Predicting the diagnosis of HIV and sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men using machine learning approaches.

Objectives: We aimed to develop machine learning models and evaluate their performance in predicting HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) diagnosis based on a cohort of Australian men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: We collected clinical records of 21,273 Australian MSM during 2011-2017. We compared accuracies for predicting HIV and STIs (syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia) diagnosis using four machine learning approaches against a multivariable logistic regression (MLR) model.

Treating male partners of women with bacterial vaginosis (StepUp): a protocol for a randomised controlled trial to assess the clinical effectiveness of male partner treatment for reducing the risk of BV recurrence.

Background: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is estimated to affect 1 in 3 women globally and is associated with obstetric and gynaecological sequelae. Current recommended therapies have good short-term efficacy but 1 in 2 women experience BV recurrence within 6 months of treatment. Evidence of male carriage of BV-organisms suggests that male partners may be reinfecting women with BV-associated bacteria (henceforth referred to as BV-organisms) and impacting on the efficacy of treatment approaches solely directed to women.

Group sex events among female sex workers in Melbourne, Australia.

Unlabelled: Background Group sex is associated with increased risk of HIV and sexually transmissible infections (STIs), but there is limited data on group sex among female sex workers (FSW). Understanding current group sex practices among FSW may assist with understanding and addressing the rise in STIs observed among Australian FSW in the 2010s. The aim of this study was to examine the proportion of FSWs who had engaged in group sex.

An open-label, parallel-group, randomised controlled trial of antiseptic mouthwash versus antibiotics for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea treatment (OMEGA2).

New treatments for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea are required to address rising antimicrobial resistance. We aimed to examine the efficacy of a 14-day course of mouthwash twice daily compared to standard treatment (antibiotic) for the treatment of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea. The OMEGA2 trial was a parallel-group and open-labelled randomised controlled trial among men with untreated oropharyngeal gonorrhoea that was conducted between September 2018 and February 2020 at Melbourne Sexual Health Centre in Australia.

Brief Report: Group Sex Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in the Era of PrEP: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Group sex has been commonly reported among gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (GBMSM); however, there are limited studies on the factors associated with participating in group sex.

Setting: A cross-sectional study among GBMSM attending a sexual health clinic in Melbourne, Australia.

Methods: Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were performed to examine the association between GBMSM participating in group sex in the previous 3 months and their demographic characteristics, including age, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use, HIV status, any STI (gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis) diagnosis on the day, and method of seeking partners.

Microelimination of Hepatitis C Among People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Coinfection: Declining Incidence and Prevalence Accompanying a Multicenter Treatment Scale-up Trial.

Background: Gay and bisexual men (GBM) are a key population affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection. We aimed to measure HCV treatment effectiveness and to determine the population impact of treatment scale-up on HCV prevalence and incidence longitudinally among GBM.

Methods: The co-EC Study (Enhancing Care and Treatment Among HCV/HIV Coinfected Individuals to Eliminate Hepatitis C Transmission) was an implementation trial providing HCV direct-acting antiviral treatment in Melbourne, Australia, during 2016-2018.

Duration of gargling and rinsing among frequent mouthwash users: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To examine the rinsing and gargling mouthwash practices among frequent mouthwash users to determine if there are differences in use between gender, sexual orientation and sex work status.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Data obtained from patients attending a sexual health centre located in Melbourne, Australia.

Clinical presentation of asymptomatic and symptomatic women who tested positive for genital gonorrhoea at a sexual health service in Melbourne, Australia.

Gonorrhoea cases in women have been rising in Australia in the 2010s but the cause of the increase is not well understood. This cross-sectional study aimed to describe the characteristics of genital gonorrhoea infection in women attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Australia. Gonorrhoea cases were diagnosed by nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) and/or culture.

Domestic HPV vaccine price and economic returns for cervical cancer prevention in China: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

Background: Coinciding with the release of the first Chinese domestic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Cecolin in 2019, and the substantial advancements in cervical cancer screening technology, we aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the combined strategies of cervical cancer screening programmes and universal vaccination of girls (aged 9-14 years) with Cecolin in China.

Methods: We did a cost-effectiveness analysis in China, in which we developed a Markov model of cervical cancer to evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of 61 intervention strategies, including a combination of various screening methods at different frequencies with and without vaccination, and also vaccination alone, from a health-care system perspective. We did univariate and probabilistic sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of the model's findings.

Prevalence and Association of Perianal and Intra-Anal Warts with Composite High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions Among Gay and Bisexual Men: Baseline Data from the Study of the Prevention of Anal Cancer.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes anal warts and anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A higher incidence of anal cancer has been found among individuals previously diagnosed with anogenital warts. We aimed to investigate the association between anal warts and the presumed anal SCC precursor high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL), among participants in the Study of the Prevention of Anal Cancer (SPANC).

HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Sexual Practices Among Male Sex Workers Attending a Sexual Health Clinic in Melbourne, Australia: 2010 to 2018.

Background: There are limited data on HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) positivity and sexual practices among male sex workers (MSWs) both globally and particularly in Australia. This study aimed to explore demographic characteristics, sexual practices, and HIV/STI positivity among MSWs attending a sexual health clinic in Melbourne.

Methods: We analyzed computerized medical records of all first-visit consultations with men 18 years or older who self-identified as current sex workers and attended the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) between 2010 and 2018.