Sexually transmitted infections: Impact on individuals and their relationships

The impact of having genital herpes and genital human papilloma virus (HPV) on individuals and their relationships was investigated. A qualitative research methodology explored the lived experiences of 30 adults with genital herpes (15 men, 15 women), and 30 adults with HPV (15 men, 15 women). This study addressed individuals' feelings about the impact of stigma associated with having an STI, the impact of having an STI on sexuality and on intimate relationships, and feelings surrounding the process of disclosure. Implications of the findings for research and clinical practice are discussed.

General practitioner and the control of sexually transmissible infections

Sexually transmissible infections (STIs), one of the major preventable health problems affecting the Australian population, are often asymptomatic and, if undetected, can cause sub-fertility, infertility and chronic morbidity. In addition to these significant and costly consequences, STIs increase the risk of transmission of HIV. Given that 80% of Australian patients attend their General Practitioner (GP) each year, GPs are well placed to have a significant impact on STI transmission by diagnosing and treating both asymptomatic and symptomatic disease. Good professional practice would suggest that all GPs will undertake certain actions when they are consulted by a patient who either has symptoms of an STI or who appears to be at risk of acquiring an STI. This expectation is based on the premise that all GPs share the same detailed knowledge of STI risk factors and symptoms. It assumes that they will have no difficulty in eliciting such information from the patient, that the patient will comply with STI testing and treatment and that the patient will return for follow-up, to ensure that they and their sexual partners have been adequately treated. Given the constraints of the real world in which general practice exists, the sensitive nature of sexual health, and the stigma associated with STIs, there are many barriers to achieving such an outcome. My own previous research has highlighted some of the difficulties experienced by GPs in the area of STI control. This study has used data from four different sources (policy and stakeholder documents, literature, key informant interviews and my own past research) to examine ideal practice and actual practice in the prevention and treatment of STIs. A number of discrepancies were identified, and from these arose a series of recommendations for ways of making STI control in general practice less complex. To ensure that the results of the study were firmly embedded in the reality of general practice, comments on the recommendations were sought from GPs employed in a variety of practice settings, including those with low STI caseloads. These comments were used to modify the recommendations to ensure they would offer a practical and effective contribution to STI control in Victoria.

Direct processing of clinically relevant large volume samples for the detection of sexually transmitted infectious agents from urine on a microfluidic device

Urine is a preferred specimen for nucleic acid-based detection of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) but represents a challenge for microfluidic devices due to low analyte concentrations. We present an extraction methodology enabling rapid on-chip nucleic acid purification directly from clinically relevant sample volumes up to 1 ml and subsequent PCR amplification detection.

Being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI): sources of support for young women

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are prevalent throughout the world with the rate of these infections increasing on a daily basis. STI acquisition has the ability to cause personal adversity and elicit feelings of stigma and shame. AIM: The aim of this paper is to report on the sources of support young women who acquired STIs drew on to overcome their associated adversity.

METHODS: This study utilised a feminist qualitative methodology.

FINDINGS: Findings revealed that the women drew on both personal and anonymous sources of support.

CONCLUSION: Nurses and other health-care professionals need to be equipped with knowledge and strategies to promote personal wellbeing and minimise the adversity felt among people having acquired these infections.

Epidemiological Models of Directly Transmitted Diseases: An Approach via Fuzzy Sets Theory

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)