Characterising benzodiazepine use and the association with non-fatal overdose among people who inject opioids in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Introduction: In Scotland, co-use of opioids and benzodiazepines has been strongly linked to rising drug-related deaths, but little similar information is available for the rest of the UK. We compared characteristics of people who inject opioids (PWIO) by benzodiazepine use and examined its association with non-fatal overdose in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Methods: PWIO in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were recruited through specialist drug services in 2022 as part of the Unlinked Anonymous Monitoring Survey.

Sensitivity Analysis of Hepatitis B and C Mortality in England Using Data Linkage: Meeting the WHO Elimination Threshold for Mortality.

The United Kingdom, along with many other countries, is working towards eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, with a combined mortality target of less than or equal to six deaths per 100,000 population. The current methodology of reporting uses death registrations alone, which has been estimated to underestimate mortality rates by up to 60% for hepatitis C (HCV)-related liver disease. We aim to conduct a sensitivity analysis using data linkage of death certificates, hepatitis B (HBV) and HCV diagnoses and admissions for end-stage liver disease (ESLD) and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to estimate mortality rates, assess progress towards elimination and evaluate underreporting.

Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic Response on Service Provision for Sexually Transmitted Infections, HIV, and Viral Hepatitis, England.

Since the coronavirus disease pandemic response began in March 2020, tests, vaccinations, diagnoses, and treatment initiations for sexual health, HIV, and viral hepatitis in England have declined. The shift towards online and outreach services happened rapidly during 2020 and highlights the need to evaluate the effects of these strategies on health inequalities.

Linkage of Whole Genome Sequencing, Epidemiological, and Clinical Data to Understand the Genetic Diversity and Clinical Outcomes of Shigella flexneri among Men Who Have Sex with Men in England.

The public health value of whole genome sequencing (WGS) for spp. in England has been limited by a lack of information on sexual identity and behavior. We combined WGS data with other data sources to better understand Shigella flexneri transmission in men who have sex with men (MSM).

What Do Diagnoses of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in Specialist Sexual Health Services in England Tell Us About Chlamydia Control?

Background: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an outcome measure for the evaluation of chlamydia screening programs. We explore PID diagnoses in specialist sexual health services (SSHSs) in England to inform the evaluation of the National Chlamydia Screening Programme, which was implemented nationally in 2008.

Methods: We conducted descriptive analyses using data on diagnoses of PID-with and without Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and/or Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC)-by age and year of birth, in SSHSs between 2009 and 2019 from the GUMCAD STI Surveillance System database.

Persistent Transmission of Shigellosis in England Is Associated with a Recently Emerged Multidrug-Resistant Strain of Shigella sonnei.

Whole-genome sequencing has enhanced surveillance and facilitated detailed monitoring of the transmission of species in England. We undertook an epidemiological and phylogenetic analysis of isolates from all cases of shigellosis referred to Public Health England between 2015 and 2018 to explore recent strain characteristics and the transmission dynamics of species. Of the 4,950 confirmed cases of shigellosis identified during this period, the highest proportion of isolates was (54.

Use of whole-genome sequencing to identify clusters of associated with sexual transmission in men who have sex with men in England: a validation study using linked behavioural data.

Since the 1970s, shigellosis has been reported as a sexually transmissible infection, and in recent years, genomic data have revealed the breadth of spp. transmission among global networks of men who have sex with men (MSM). In 2015, Public Health England (PHE) introduced routine whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of spp.

Preparing for PrEP: estimating the size of the population eligible for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among men who have sex with men in England.

Objectives: The size of the population of men who have sex with men (MSM) who may be eligible for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (HIV-PrEP) in England remains unknown. To plan for a national PrEP implementation trial, we estimated the number of MSM attending sexual health clinics (SHCs) that may be eligible for HIV-PrEP in England.

Methods: Sexually transmitted infection (STI) surveillance data from 2010 to 2015 from the GUMCAD surveillance system were used to estimate the annual number of HIV-negative MSM who may be eligible for HIV-PrEP in England.

Association between STI and child sexual exploitation in children under 16 years old attending sexual health clinics in England: findings from a case-control study.

Objective: Child sexual exploitation (CSE) can be difficult to identify, as there may be few reliable indicators. Although they may be used in decision-making, there is no evidence that STIs are predictors of CSE. We investigated the relationship between STI presentation at sexual health clinics (SHCs) and CSE.