Anal Cancer Screening in People Living with HIV: A Pilot Study of Primary HPV Screening with Triage Use of p16/Ki67 Dual Stain.

Background: and setting: People living with HIV (PLHIV), especially gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM), are at increased risk of anal cancer. A recent randomised controlled trial showed treating anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL) reduces anal cancer incidence, supporting development of screening programs. Given the transition from cytological to HPV testing in cervical cancer screening, HPV testing for anal cancer is worth investigating.

A pilot study, auditing digital communication to conduct sexual and reproductive health service outreach to Chinese- and Thai-speaking sex workers in Sydney.

Background A large sexual health service (SHS) in Sydney has piloted the use of Mandarin-language app 'WeChat' and Thai-language app 'LINE', to enhance outreach to Chinese- and Thai-speaking sex industry workers (SIWs). These platforms offer a novel and unique means for Thai and Chinese SIWs to access the SHS, bypassing potential lengthy wait times otherwise experienced through phone triage, using telephone interpreters. Method From 5 February to 5 April 2024, data from clients' posts on both platforms were extracted and dissected according to the following indices: current registration with the SHS, approximate time taken for response to messages, demographic client information, and key service/s requested.

Do Australian sexual health clinics have the capacity to meet demand? A mixed methods survey of directors of sexual health clinics in Australia.

Background The study describes the capacity of publicly funded sexual health clinics in Australia and explores the challenges they face. Methods We sent a survey to the directors of publicly funded sexual health clinics across Australia between January and March 2024. The survey asked about how their clinics were managing the current clinical demand.

Progress towards the UNAIDS 2030 HIV prevention target in New South Wales, Australia: a population-based study.

Background: The UNAIDS ending AIDS strategy includes a 2030 prevention target of a 90% reduction in new infections from 2010. We report progress towards this goal in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBM) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Methods: We report HIV notification data for people newly diagnosed by exposure category, with a focus on GBM who comprised more than three-quarters of diagnoses.

Changing the model of HIV PrEP delivery - nurse-led telehealth in a metropolitan sexual health service: a retrospective analysis.

Background Innovative models in HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery are required to reduce the burden on clinical services and provide convenience and access for clients. A nurse-led telehealth PrEP clinic ('TelePrEP') with free multi-modal testing pathway has been developed at Sydney Sexual Health Centre (SSHC). Methods Using a multi-model testing pathway, we reviewed retrospective electronic medical record of TelePrEP consultations at SSHC.

Exploring experiences of talk therapies among gay and bisexual men seeking to reduce or abstain from using crystal methamphetamine in the context of chemsex.

Introduction: Some gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (GBMSM) who use drugs to enhance sex (chemsex/party and play) may experience harms and seek talk therapies. GBMSM who practice chemsex may not access drug services because of anticipated stigma and the perception that these services lack chemsex expertise. Barriers to services are documented, however, little is known about the service experiences of chemsex engaged GBMSM.

Chlamydia retesting remains low among young women in Australia: an observational study using sentinel surveillance data, 2018-2022.

Background: Chlamydia remains the most notified bacterial sexually transmissible infection in Australia with guidelines recommending testing for re-infection at 3months post treatment. This paper aimed to determine chlamydia retesting and repeat positivity rates within 2-4months among young women in Australia, and to evaluate what factors increase or decrease the likelihood of retesting.

Methods: Chlamydia retesting rates among 16-29-year-old women were analysed from Australian Collaboration for Coordinated Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance of sexually transmissible infection and bloodborne virus (ACCESS) sentinel surveillance data (n =62 sites).

Keeping the frogs in the wheelbarrow: how virtual onboarding creates positive team-enabling cultures.

Introduction: The post-COVID-19 great resignation puts both employee retention and the onboarding of employees in the spotlight. In an effort to maintain workforce levels, healthcare leaders are turning their attention to both recruitment (ie, bringing new frogs into the wheelbarrow) and practices that create positive, team-enabling, cultures (ie, keeping frogs in the wheelbarrow).

Methods: In this paper, we illustrate our experience in building an employee onboarding programme as an efficient mechanism not only to immerse new professionals into existing teams but also to improve workplace culture and reduce team turnover.

Experiences of recently HIV-diagnosed gay and bisexual migrants in Australia: Implications for sexual health programmes and health promotion.

Gay and bisexual migrants from low- and middle-income countries living in high-income countries are disproportionately diagnosed with HIV. Most research focuses on preventing HIV acquisition among HIV-negative migrant gay and bisexual men (GBM). This study is uniquely positioned to report on migrant GBM's experiences and needs at and after an HIV diagnosis.

Chemsex questions: what are we actually asking?

Among men who have sex with men (MSM), sexualised drug use (SDU) is related to high risk sexual behaviour and a higher chance of contracting STIs. Chemsex, a subset of SDU, has a particularly high risk factor for STIs. We describe the implementation of a new question about Chemsex for first time clients attending Sydney Sexual Health Centre through a retrospective review of electronic medical records.

Syphilis, HIV and other STI positivity in clients presenting as contacts of syphilis at Sydney Sexual Health Centre.

There is a paucity of contemporary data pertaining to sexually transmitted infection test positivity of people presenting as contacts of syphilis. Over a 12 month period in 2018, within a sexual health service, we identified 191 (92% men who have sex with men) presentations, 7.8% were diagnosed with syphilis (three primary, four secondary, six early latent and two late latent infections).

Low Awareness of Mycoplasma genitalium in Men Who Have Sex With Men in Sydney, Australia.

Objectives: Mycoplasma genitalium (M. genitalium) is a sexually transmitted infection of importance because of the high prevalence rates and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional analysis was carried out on MSM who presented rectally asymptomatic at a central Sydney sexual health clinic or a community site for routine testing.

: test positivity in syndromic presentations and clinicians' adherence with treatment guidelines at Sydney Sexual Health Centre.

() is associated with urethritis, cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, proctitis and epididymitis. Its treatment is complicated by antimicrobial resistance. To assess clinicians' adherence to diagnostic testing recommendations for syndromic presentations, as well as resistance-guided management of at Sydney Sexual Health Centre, we reviewed patients presenting between August and December 2018.

Empirical treatment of asymptomatic contacts of gonorrhoea: patient views.

Unlabelled: Background The prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhoea) in sexual contacts of gonorrhoea has not been established, but limited data suggest that the majority of contacts are not infected. Contacts of gonorrhoea who receive empirical treatment at the point of testing may receive unnecessary antimicrobial treatment for an infection that is known to have multidrug resistance. This study evaluated patient acceptability of non-empirical treatment.

Dissonances in communication with sexual health consumers in an inner-Sydney sexual health clinic in relation to health literacy: A mixed-methods study.

Issues Addressed: This study examined the navigation of health care interactions by health consumers attending Sydney Sexual Health Centre (SSHC), an inner-city sexual health clinic in Sydney, Australia. We aimed to assess the accessibility and appropriateness of communications between SSHC and patients in the context of health literacy.

Methods: We conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with health consumers, assessed health literacy using the Short Health Literacy Assessment for English-Speaking Adults (SAHL-E) and conducted a focus group with clinical staff.

Renal impairment: an unnecessary barrier to HIV prevention.

The use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in combination with emtricitabine, prescribed for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), is highly effective at reducing incident sexually transmissible HIV infection among those at risk. TDF is associated with proteinuria, Fanconi syndrome and chronic kidney disease, and is not recommended for use in patients with an estimated creatinine clearance <60 mL min-1. There are currently no Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)-funded PrEP options for patients at risk of HIV infection with moderate renal impairment in Australia.

Provider attitudes to the empiric treatment of asymptomatic contacts of gonorrhoea.

Unlabelled: Background In the current era of antimicrobial stewardship, the availability of highly sensitive assays and faster turnaround times, the practice of empiric treatment of asymptomatic contacts of gonorrhoea needs review. The views of clinicians in a range of settings across Australia and clinic costs associated with a change of practice was examined.

Methods: An online anonymous survey for nurses and doctors working in public sexual health clinics and general practices in urban, regional and rural Australia was developed.

Proctitis in gay and bisexual men. Are microscopy and proctoscopy worthwhile?

Objectives: We explored the association between nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) and rectal microscopy/proctoscopy findings and correlates of rectal STIs among 150 gay and bisexual men (GBM) diagnosed with proctitis at the Sydney Sexual Health Centre from March 2016 to October 2017.

Methods: From case files, we analysed risk behaviours, microscopy, proctoscopy and NAAT results for rectal STIs (, , , herpes simplex virus type 1/2, lymphogranuloma venereum and syphilis). χ test assessed the association between microscopy/proctoscopy findings and NAAT results.

Prevalence of rectal Mycoplasma genitalium and macrolide resistance in men who have sex with men attending Sydney Sexual Health Centre.

Unlabelled: Background Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) have been increasing in men who have sex with men (MSM) in recent years; however, few studies have investigated the prevalence or antimicrobial resistance in rectal Mycoplasma genitalium in this group. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of rectal M. genitalium in MSM attending an urban sexual health service in Sydney, Australia, namely the Sydney Sexual Health Centre (SSHC), as well as estimate the rate of macrolide resistance.

Characteristics of recently arrived Asian men who have sex with men diagnosed with HIV through sexual health services in Melbourne and Sydney.

Objectives: Asian men who have sex with men (MSM) who have recently arrived in Australia are an emergent risk group for HIV; however, little is known about how they compare to Australian MSM diagnosed with HIV. This study compared the characteristics of these two groups.

Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study of MSM diagnosed with HIV between January 2014 and October 2017 in Melbourne and Sydney public sexual health clinics.