'once they see blood then the mood for sex is spoiled' A qualitative exploration of female sex worker's male client views of menstruation, sex during menses and the menstrual disc.

To continue working during menses, female sex workers (FSW) may use unhygienic absorbents to hide their menstrual status. The menstrual disc may provide a solution. Little is known about men's knowledge and views, specifically around sex during menstruation with FSW, a population who are particularly vulnerable to violence which may be heightened during menses.

Water source, latrine type, and rainfall are associated with detection of non-optimal and enteric bacteria in the vaginal microbiome: a prospective observational cohort study nested within a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: Less than one-third of sub-Saharan Africans have access to improved water sources. In US, Indian, and African studies, Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is increased among women with poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). We examined water source, sanitation (latrine type), and rainfall in relation to the vaginal microbiome (VMB).

Common Patterns and Unique Threats in Antimicrobial Resistance as Demonstrated by Global Gonococcal Surveillance.

The rapid emergence of antimicrobial-resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae threatens treatment options and control efforts. The Uniformed Services University Gonococcal Reference Laboratory and Repository of the Global Emerging Infections Surveillance Program receives isolates from several geographically distinct regions worldwide. We analyzed 962 isolates collected during 2014-2022 for genomic and phenotypic antimicrobial resistance.

Menstrual cups to reduce bacterial vaginosis and STIs through reduced harmful sexual and menstrual practices among economically vulnerable women: protocol of a single arm trial in western Kenya.

Background: In western Kenya, menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is a pervasive problem. Challenges are compounded for economically constrained women who continue to engage in sex during menses and resort to practices such as vaginal insertion of tissue and cotton to maintain dryness during sex. These practices can be harmful to the vaginal microbiome (VMB) and can lead to high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV.

isolates resistant to extended spectrum cephalosporins and macrolides isolated from symptomatic men in western Kenya.

Background: We characterized the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of (NG) isolated from symptomatic men at a sexually transmitted infection clinic in Kisumu, Kenya.

Methods: Two urethral swabs were obtained from symptomatic men between 2020 and 2022, one for Gram's stain and the other inoculated directly onto modified Thayer-Martin media containing 1% VCNT and 1% IsoVitaleX enrichment. Culture results were confirmed by colony morphology, Gram's stain and oxidase test.

Impact of COVID-19 and Mpox on Sexual Practices and Disease Mitigation Strategies Over Time Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Affiliated With Collective Sex Venues.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent multinational mpox outbreak significantly disrupted sexual health care delivery, particularly impacting men who have sex with men (MSM). This study investigated these public health emergencies in relation to perceptions, attitudes, and sexual practices among MSM affiliated with a collective sex venue (CSV).

Methods: Electronic surveys were sent to clientele of a high-volume CSV between June 2021 and November 2022 across 3 time periods defined as pre-Omicron, post-Omicron, and mpox.

A pilot survey of students' menstrual attitudes, experiences, and needs on an urban university campus.

Background: In the United States, many menstruators face barriers to period management, such as period poverty, or the lack of access to relevant knowledge and affordable menstrual products. Our current understanding of the social, emotional, and physical impacts of period poverty on students in post-secondary institutions is largely limited.

Objectives: The purpose of this pilot study is to assess period poverty, period-related class disruption, and avoidance of menstrual hygiene management on campus among students and to identify recommendations for action at the University of Illinois Chicago and other urban universities.

Water, sanitation and hygiene at sex work venues to support menstrual needs.

Introduction: Adequate menstrual health and hygiene (MHH) is necessary for women's health and equity of all menstruators. Female sex workers (FSW) require good MHH to prevent discomfort and exposure to pathogens. No studies have evaluated water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions of FSW.

Bacterial vaginosis testing gaps for transmasculine patients may exacerbate health disparities.

Introduction: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with non-optimal changes in the vaginal microbiome and increased susceptibility to STIs and HIV in cisgender women. Much less is known about the sexual health of transmasculine people and susceptibility to BV, STIs, and HIV. This study's objective was to assess BV testing and outcomes of transmasculine and cisgender women patient populations at a large, LGBTQ + federally qualified health center.

Impact of coronavirus disease 2019-related clinic closures on HIV incidence in young adult MSM and transgender women in Kenya.

Introduction: Little is known about the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on risk of HIV acquisition in sub-Saharan Africa. We assessed the impact of COVID-19-related clinic closures on HIV incidence in a cohort of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women in Kenya.

Methods: MSM and transgender women enrolled in a prospective, multicentre cohort study were followed quarterly for HIV testing, behaviour assessments, and risk.

Vaginal Microbial Network Analysis Reveals Novel Taxa Relationships among Adolescent and Young Women with Incident Sexually Transmitted Infection Compared with Those Remaining Persistently Negative over a 30-Month Period.

A non-optimal vaginal microbiome (VMB) is typically diverse with a paucity of and is often associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Although compositional characterization of the VMB is well-characterized, especially for BV, knowledge remains limited on how different groups of bacteria relate to incident STIs, especially among adolescents. In this study, we compared the VMB (measured via 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing) of Kenyan secondary school girls with incident STIs (composite of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis) to those who remained persistently negative for STIs and BV over 30 months of follow-up.

Transgender women in Kenya experience greater stigma, depressive symptoms, alcohol and drug use and risky sexual practices than cis-gendered men who have sex with men.

Background: Worldwide, sexual and gender minority individuals have disproportionate burden of HIV. There are limited quantitative data from sub-Saharan Africa on the intersection of risks experienced by transgender women (TGW) in comparison to cis-men who have sex with men (MSM). This analysis addresses this gap by comparing reported stigma, psychosocial measures of health, and sexual risk practices between TGW and cis-MSM in Kenya.

Analysis of bacterial vaginosis, the vaginal microbiome, and sexually transmitted infections following the provision of menstrual cups in Kenyan schools: Results of a nested study within a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: Nonhygienic products for managing menstruation are reported to cause reproductive tract infections. Menstrual cups are a potential solution. We assessed whether menstrual cups would reduce bacterial vaginosis (BV), vaginal microbiome (VMB), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as studies have not evaluated this.

Vaginal microbiome community state types and high-risk human papillomaviruses in cervical precancer and cancer in North-central Nigeria.

Background: High risk human papillomaviruses (HR-HPV) have a causal role in cervical oncogenesis, and HIV-mediated immune suppression allows HR-HPV to persist. We studied whether vaginal microbiome community state types (CSTs) are associated with high-grade precancer and/or invasive cervical cancer (HSIL/ICC).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of adult women with cervical cancer screening (CCS) at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) in Jos, Nigeria, between January 2020 and February 2022.

COVID-19 vaccination requirements, encouragement and hesitancy among non-health care, non-congregate workers in Chicago: results from the WEVax survey.

Background: While frontline and essential workers were prioritized for COVID-19 vaccination in the United States, coverage rates and encouragement strategies among non-health care workers have not been well-described. The Chicago Department of Public Health surveyed non-health care businesses to fill these knowledge gaps and identify potential mechanisms for improving vaccine uptake.

Methods: The Workplace Encouragement for COVID-19 Vaccination in Chicago survey (WEVax Chicago) was administered using REDCap from July 11 to September 12, 2022, to businesses previously contacted for COVID-19 surveillance and vaccine-related outreach.

COVID-19 Clusters and Outbreaks Among Non-Health Care, Noncongregate Workers in Chicago, Illinois: Surveillance Through the First Omicron Wave.

Objective: To describe COVID-19 investigations by a large urban health department among non-health care, noncongregate workplaces and the utility of surveillance methods over time.

Methods: Frequencies of workplace-associated clusters and outbreaks are described by workplace type, workforce size, and method of identification over time.

Results: From April 2020 through January 2022, 496 COVID-19 investigations identified 442 clusters (89%) and 54 outbreaks (11%).

Assessing Changes in Insurance Status and Access to Care Among Patients Attending Chicago Sexually Transmitted Infection Specialty Clinics From 2013 to 2019.

Background: Public sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics are safety net providers for uninsured and underinsured individuals but are at risk for closure due to declining budgets and shifting priorities. This study sought to assess changes in insurance status and access to preventive care among public STI clinic patients after immediate and long-term implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Methods: Patients receiving care in STI clinics administered by Chicago Department of Public Health were asked to complete an anonymous survey in 2013, 2014, and 2019.

The Effects of Medical Male Circumcision on Female Partners' Sexual and Reproductive Health.

Purpose Of Review: Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) reduces the risk of HIV acquisition by 60% among heterosexual men, provides protection against certain sexually transmitted infections (STI), and leads to penile microbiome composition changes associated with reduced risk of HIV infection. Intuitively, the benefits of VMMC for female sex partners in relation to STI are likely and have been evaluated. The purpose of this review is to examine emerging findings of broader sexual and reproductive health (SRH) benefits of VMMC for female sex partners.

Challenges with PrEP Uptake and Adherence Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in Kisumu, Kenya.

Data on challenges with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake and adherence among Kenyan gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) are limited. In this mixed-methods sequential explanatory design study, our quantitative phase followed 157 at-risk, HIV-negative GBMSM who accepted PrEP and enrolled in a cohort with 12-month follow-up. Stored dried blood spots collected at two intervals were batch tested for tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) concentrations at study end.

A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials in Uveitis: Lessons Learned.

Purpose: Clinical trials in uveitis have led to the expansion of therapeutic options for the management of non-infectious uveitis. The purpose of this systematic review is to investigate why some clinical trials have yielded successful results and regulatory approval of new therapies, and some have not.

Methods: A systematic literature search of the Pubmed/MEDLINE database and clinicaltrials.