Healthcare Responses to Gender-Based Violence in Timor-Leste: Women Want Empathy, Information and Safety From an Integrated Support System.

Healthcare providers are one of the first professionals women are likely to come into contact with after experiencing violence as they seek care for injuries and associated health problems or in routine care such as reproductive health services. Systematic reviews of women's experiences and expectations when disclosing abuse in health settings reveal a dearth of research with women in low-income countries and from rural areas. The aim of this study was to understand the information and interventions women who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault want from their health providers in Timor-Leste, a country with a largely rural population and very high rates of violence against women.

HARMONY: a pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial of a culturally competent systems intervention to prevent and reduce domestic violence among migrant and refugee families in general practice: study protocol.

Introduction: Domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is prevalent, harmful and more dangerous among diaspora communities because of the difficulty accessing DVA services, language and migration issues. Consequently, migrant/refugee women are common among primary care populations, but evidence for culturally competent DVA primary care practice is negligible. This pragmatic cluster randomised controlled trial aims to increase DVA identification and referral (primary outcomes) threefold and safety planning (secondary outcome) among diverse women attending intervention vs comparison primary care clinics.

Financial burdens of HIV and chronic disease on people living with HIV in Côte d'Ivoire: A cross-sectional out-of-pocket expenditure study.

Background: Although people living with HIV in Côte d'Ivoire receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) at no cost, other out-of-pocket (OOP) spending related to health can still create a barrier to care.

Methods: A convenience sample of 400 adults living with HIV for at least 1 year in Côte d'Ivoire completed a survey on their health spending for HIV and chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In addition to descriptive statistics, we performed simple linear regression analyses with bootstrapped 95% confidence intervals.

Implementation and success factors from Thailand's 1-3-7 surveillance strategy for malaria elimination.

Thailand's National Malaria Elimination Strategy 2017-2026 introduced the 1-3-7 strategy as a robust surveillance and response approach for elimination that would prioritize timely, evidence-based action. Under this strategy, cases are reported within 1 day, cases are investigated within 3 days, and foci are investigated and responded to within 7 days, building on Thailand's long history of conducting case investigation since the 1980s. However, the hallmark of the 1-3-7 strategy is timeliness, with strict deadlines for reporting and response to accelerate elimination.

A foci cohort analysis to monitor successful and persistent foci under Thailand's Malaria Elimination Strategy.

Background: Thailand's success in reducing malaria burden is built on the efficient "1-3-7" strategy applied to the surveillance system. The strategy is based on rapid case notification within 1 day, case investigation within 3 days, and targeted foci response to reduce the spread of Plasmodium spp. within 7 days.

Moving sexual health into primary care.

The rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and the high rate of teenage pregnancies mean that sexual health services need to be increasingly provided in primary care settings by primary care professionals. Guidance from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) in 2007 recommends proactive intervention sessions with individuals whose sexual history identifies them as at risk. Midwives and health visitors should make regular visits to under-18s who are pregnant or already mothers to provide advice on sexual health and contraception.

Sexually transmitted infections in men.

Under the National Sexual Health Strategy, some sexual health services are sited in primary care. Men are increasingly approaching primary care services about sexual health and professionals should be able to give accurate advice and refer them to the appropriate services. This article offers the non-specialist nurse an overview of the topic, including references to current clinical management and treatment guidelines.

Dealing with trichomoniasis.

Trichomoniasis is a common but less well known sexually transmitted infection affecting men and women. In men it is often asymptomatic and goes undetected. In women it can produce a profuse, frothy, unpleasant-smelling vaginal discharge with pruritus and soreness which is sometimes confused with vulvo-vaginal candidiasis (thrush) and bacterial vaginosis.

Syphilis: still with us, so watch out!

The number of syphilis cases has been increasing in the UK, partly because of localised outbreaks. The sharpest rises have been among men having sex with men, but the incidence among heterosexuals has also risen. Blood-test screening for syphilis is an important part of sexual health, and includes routine screening of pregnant women at the first antenatal visit.

How to take a sexual history.

Under the National Strategy for Sexual Health and HIV, most patients seeking or requiring routine sexual health care are now offered the option of being treated by the primary health care team, rather than a specialised genito-urinary medicine clinic. Taking a sexual history and making a risk assessment is a key skill for making a diagnosis and care plan. This article offers a structured approach to this task, particularly for nurses, midwives and other community health professionals.

Sexually transmitted infections. Genital chlamydia: practical management in primary care.

As the number of infected people increases, more nurses outside the specialist sexual health services are being called upon to provide advice and clinical care for genital chlamydial infection. This article provides non-specialist nurses with practical information on the diagnosis, treatment, management and follow-up of clients with genital chlamydial infections.

Identifying and managing bacterial vaginosis.

The diagnosis and management of bacterial vaginosis are discussed, including the role of the nurse and midwife in testing and treatment.