Acceptability of self-collected vaginal swabs and point-of-care testing for sexually transmitted and genital infections among pregnant women in Papua New Guinea.

The self-collection of vaginal swabs and point-of-care testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is reported from several low-and middle-income countries. However, the reporting on women's experiences of self-collection and same-day testing and treatment of STIs is less well described. In this paper, we present the acceptability of self-collected vaginal swabs and point-of-care testing and treatment among pregnant women enrolled in a clinical trial (Women and Newborn Trial of Antenatal Intervention and Management - WANTAIM) in Papua New Guinea.

"This is really something: same place, same day result, same day treatment" women's experiences of testing positive for HPV and receiving same-day treatment in Papua New Guinea: an interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing is transforming cervical screening globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) now recommends same-day HPV screen-and-treat for primary cervical screening in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) but there is a lack of evidence on women's lived experience of testing positive for oncogenic HPV and receiving same-day treatment. This study aimed to address this knowledge gap among women participating in a same-day HPV screen-and-treat (HPV S&T) program in Papua New Guinea.

Community perspectives and experiences of quality maternal and newborn care in East New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

Background: Quality maternal and newborn care is essential for improving the health of mothers and babies. Low- and middle-income countries, such as Papua New Guinea (PNG), face many barriers to achieving quality care for all. Efforts to improve the quality of maternal and newborn care must involve community in the design, implementation, and evaluation of initiatives to ensure that interventions are appropriate and relevant for the target community.

Women's acceptability of a self-collect HPV same-day screen-and-treat program in a high burden setting in the Pacific.

Background: A field trial to evaluate a self-collect point-of-care HPV screen-and-treat (HPV S&T) program was implemented in two Well Women Clinics in Papua New Guinea (Papua New Guinea). Assessing the acceptability of a health intervention is a core element of evaluation. In this study, we examined women's acceptability of both self-collection and HPV S&T intervention in Papua New Guinea.

A socio-ecological analysis of factors influencing HIV treatment initiation and adherence among key populations in Papua New Guinea.

Background: In Papua New Guinea (PNG) members of key populations, including female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW), have higher rates of HIV compared to the general adult population and low engagement in HIV care. This paper examines the socio-ecological factors that encourage or hinder HIV treatment initiation and adherence among HIV positive members of key populations in PNG.

Methods: As part of a larger biobehavioural survey of key populations in PNG, 111 semi-structured interviews were conducted with FSW, MSM and TGW, of whom 28 identified as living with HIV.

Confidential, accessible point-of-care sexual health services to support the participation of key populations in biobehavioural surveys: Lessons for Papua New Guinea and other settings where reach of key populations is limited.

To achieve the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets at a national level, many countries must accelerate service coverage among key populations. To do this, key population programs have adopted methods similar to those used in respondent-driven sampling (RDS) to expand reach. A deeper understanding of factors from RDS surveys that enhance health service engagement can improve key population programs.

Sexual risk behaviour, marriage and ART: a study of HIV-positive people in Papua New Guinea.

Background: The prevention of intimate partner transmission of HIV remains an important component of comprehensive HIV prevention strategies. In this paper we examine the sexual practices of people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Method: In 2008, a total of 374 HIV-positive people over the age of 16 and on ART for more than two weeks were recruited using a non-probability, convenience sampling methodology.

Living serodiscordantly in Papua New Guinea: sexual practices of HIV-positive people on ART by serostatus of regular heterosexual partner.

This paper examines condom use in intimate relationships amongst Papua New Guineans on antiretroviral therapy (ART). These findings are from a mixed-method study in six provinces throughout Papua New Guinea (PNG). A total of 374 HIV-positive adult Papua New Guineans, over the age of 16 and on ART for more than two weeks were recruited using a non-probability, convenience sampling methodology.

Gendered talk about sex, sexual relationships and HIV among young people in Papua New Guinea.

This paper presents findings from a qualitative study carried out in three secondary schools in Eastern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Seventy-three Year 12 students took part in eight gender-specific focus group discussions (three female and five male). Irrespective of gender, respondents predominately understood sex as being for the sole purpose of reproduction within marriage.