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Kilner A, Fairley CK, Burrell S, Bradshaw CS, Chen MY, Chow EPF. Age pattern of sexual activities with the most recent partner among men who have sex with men in Melbourne, Australia: a cross-sectional study. BMJ SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2021; 47:e4. [PMID: 32868336 DOI: 10.1136/bmjsrh-2020-200720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexual behavioural studies among men who have sex with men (MSM) are predominantly focused on penile-anal intercourse. Other non-anal sexual activities are under-studied. This study aimed to examine the age pattern of a range of sexual activities among MSM with the most recent male sex partner. METHODS We conducted a survey among MSM attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre in 2017. This survey asked about nine different sexual activities with their most recent regular and casual partner. A Chi-square trend test was used to examine the age patterns of each sexual activity. RESULTS A total of 1596 men answered the survey and their median age was 30 (IQR 25-37) years. With casual partners, kissing was the most common activity (92.4%), followed by performing penile-oral sex (86.0%) and receiving penile-oral sex (83.9%). The least common activity was insertive rimming (38.1%). Young men were more likely to engage in kissing (ptrend<0.001), receptive rimming (ptrend=0.004) and receptive penile-anal sex (ptrend<0.001) but they were less likely to have insertive penile-anal sex compared with older MSM. With regular partners, the most common activity was kissing (97.4%), followed by touching penises (90.0%) and performing penile-oral sex (88.3%). Age was not associated with most types of sexual activity with regular partners except mutual masturbation and receptive penile-anal sex. Younger men were more likely to masturbate mutually (ptrend=0.028) and engage in receptive penile-anal sex (ptrend=0.011). CONCLUSIONS The pattern of sexual activities shows age-related differences with casual partners but less so with regular partners in MSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Kilner
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sam Burrell
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Catriona S Bradshaw
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marcus Y Chen
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eric P F Chow
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Phillips TR, Fairley CK, Bradshaw CS, Tabesh M, Maddaford K, Hocking JS, Chow EP. Associations between oral sex practices and frequent mouthwash use in heterosexuals: a cross-sectional survey in Melbourne, Australia. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e041782. [PMID: 33419912 PMCID: PMC7798804 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the frequency of mouthwash use and its association to oral sex practice in heterosexuals. DESIGN A cross-sectional study. SETTING Data obtained from a sexual health clinic in Victoria, Australia, between March 2019 and April 2019. PARTICIPANTS Heterosexual men and women attending the sexual health clinic answered a survey using computer-assisted self-interview. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were performed to examine the association between frequent mouthwash use (ie, daily or weekly mouthwash use) and oral sex practices (including tongue kissing, fellatio, cunnilingus and insertive rimming). RESULTS There were 681 heterosexuals included in the analysis: 315 (46.3%) men and 366 (53.7%) women. Of participants, 302 (44.3%) used mouthwash frequently, 173 (25.4%) used mouthwash infrequently and 206 (30.2%) never used mouthwash. There was no significant difference in the proportion of frequent mouthwash users between men and women (46.4% of men vs 42.6% of women; p=0.329). The proportion of frequent mouthwash users increased with increasing age groups (39.3% in ≤24 years, 45.2% in 25-34 years and 52.8% in ≥35 years or older; ptrend=0.039) with those aged ≥35 years having a 1.80 times (95% CI: 1.12 to 2.89) higher odds of being a frequent mouthwash user than those aged ≤24 years. There were no significant associations between frequent mouthwash users had sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk after adjusting for age and country of birth. CONCLUSION Older heterosexuals are more likely to use mouthwash. Given the high proportion and associations of mouthwash use in heterosexuals, future investigations related to oral STIs in this group should include mouthwash use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany R Phillips
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Catriona S Bradshaw
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marjan Tabesh
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kate Maddaford
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jane S Hocking
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Eric Pf Chow
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Chow EPF, Vodstrcil LA, Williamson DA, Maddaford K, Hocking JS, Ashcroft M, De Petra V, Bradshaw CS, Fairley CK. Incidence and duration of incident oropharyngeal gonorrhoea and chlamydia infections among men who have sex with men: prospective cohort study. Sex Transm Infect 2020; 97:452-457. [DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2020-054764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectivesThis prospective cohort study aimed to determine the natural history and incidence of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea and chlamydia among a cohort of men who have sex with men (MSM) over a 12-week period, and to examine risk factors associated with incident oropharyngeal infections.MethodsMSM either aged ≥18 years and had a diagnosis of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea by nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) in the past 3 months or aged 18–35 years who were HIV-negative taking pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) were eligible for this study. Enrolled men were followed up for 12 weeks. Oropharyngeal swabs were collected at week 0 (baseline) and week 12 (end of study). Between these time points, weekly saliva specimens and the number of tongue kissing, penile–oral and insertive rimming partners were collected by post. Oropharyngeal swabs and saliva specimens were tested by NAAT for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis. Poisson regression was performed to examine the risk factors (weekly number of partners) associated with incident oropharyngeal gonorrhoea.ResultsA total of 100 MSM were recruited. The incidence of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea and chlamydia was 62 (95% CI 37 to 105) and 9 (95% CI 2 to 35)/100 person-years, respectively. The median duration of incident oropharyngeal infection with gonorrhoea was 28 days (IQR=21–36, n=7). The incidence rate ratio (IRR) for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea increased with an increased number of kissing partners (IRR=1.08; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.12) an increased number of penile-oral sex partners (IRR=1.07, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.14) but not with an increased number of insertive rimming partners (IRR=1.11, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.29) or other demographic factors. The IRR and duration of incident oropharyngeal chlamydia were not calculated due to the small number of cases (n=2).ConclusionsMSM have a high incidence of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea and the median duration of infection was less than 3 months.
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Chow EPF, Fairley CK. The role of saliva in gonorrhoea and chlamydia transmission to extragenital sites among men who have sex with men: new insights into transmission. J Int AIDS Soc 2019; 22 Suppl 6:e25354. [PMID: 31468730 PMCID: PMC6715946 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gonorrhoea and chlamydia cases have been rising among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) over the last decade. The majority of cases are extragenital and occur at the oropharynx and anorectum. The aim of this narrative review was to review the risk factors and mode of transmission for gonorrhoea and chlamydia at the oropharynx and anorectum among MSM. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION New evidence suggests that oropharyngeal gonorrhoea can be transmitted by kissing in addition to through the established route of condomless oral sex; and anorectal gonorrhoea can be acquired when saliva is used as a lubricant for anal sex and rimming in addition to the established route of condomless penile-anal sex in MSM. In contrast, condomless penile-anal sex remains the major route for chlamydia transmission. CONCLUSIONS Substantial transmission of gonorrhoea may occur with practices other than the established routes of condomless oral and/or anal sex and hence condoms may not be effective in preventing gonorrhoea transmission to extragenital sites. In contrast, condoms are effective for chlamydia control because it is mainly transmitted through condomless penile-anal sex. Novel interventions for gonorrhoea that reduce the risk of transmission at extragenital site are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric PF Chow
- Melbourne Sexual Health CentreAlfred HealthCarltonVICAustralia
- Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneVICAustralia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health CentreAlfred HealthCarltonVICAustralia
- Central Clinical SchoolMonash UniversityMelbourneVICAustralia
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Fairley CK, Cornelisse VJ, Hocking JS, Chow EPF. Models of gonorrhoea transmission from the mouth and saliva. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2019; 19:e360-e366. [PMID: 31324517 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(19)30304-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
This Personal View argues for a new framework of gonorrhoea transmission in men who have sex with men in which the oropharynx plays a major role in transmitting gonorrhoea to, or acquiring gonorrhoea from, their partner's oropharynx, penis, or anorectum through either direct contact or via saliva. To avoid preconceived notions of transmission dynamics, we ask readers to imagine that they are investigating a new sexually transmitted infection. On the basis of the existing clinical and epidemiological data for gonorrhoea at the penis, oropharynx, and anorectum site, we develop two models for transmission: the so-called penile model and the so-called oropharyngeal model. We argue that the existing epidemiological data and behavioural data best fit the oropharyngeal model. Our argument rests on the observation that, at the population level, the prevalence of urethral gonorrhoea is too rare to explain the high incidence of oropharynx and anorectum infection. We describe studies of gonorrhoea detection in saliva, saliva use during sex, epidemiological studies of kissing and oropharyngeal gonorrhoea, as well as studies aided by mathematical models. Finally, we argue that the correlation between sexual acts (eg, kissing, oral sex, anal sex, and saliva use) is so high that any epidemiological study that does not measure these factors will be prone to confounding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher K Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Vincent J Cornelisse
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jane S Hocking
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia; University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Eric P F Chow
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, VIC, Australia; Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Chow EPF, Cornelisse VJ, Williamson DA, Priest D, Hocking JS, Bradshaw CS, Read TRH, Chen MY, Howden BP, Fairley CK. Kissing may be an important and neglected risk factor for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea: a cross-sectional study in men who have sex with men. Sex Transm Infect 2019; 95:516-521. [PMID: 31073095 DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2018-053896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A mathematical model suggested that a significant proportion of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea cases are acquired via oropharynx-to-oropharynx transmission (ie, tongue-kissing), but to date, no empirical study has investigated this. This study aimed to examine the association between kissing and oropharyngeal gonorrhoea among gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS MSM attending a public sexual health centre in Melbourne, Australia, between March 2016 and February 2017 were invited to participate in a brief survey that collected data on their number of male partners in the last 3 months, in three distinct categories: kissing-only (ie, no sex including no oral and/or anal sex), sex-only (ie, any sex without kissing), and kissing-with-sex (ie, kissing with any sex). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine associations between oropharyngeal gonorrhoea positivity by nucleic acid amplification tests and the three distinct partner categories. RESULTS A total of 3677 men completed the survey and were tested for oropharyngeal gonorrhoea. Their median age was 30 (IQR 25-37) and 6.2% (n=229) had oropharyngeal gonorrhoea. Men had a mean number of 4.3 kissing-only, 1.4 sex-only, and 5.0 kissing-with-sex partners in the last 3 months. Kissing-only and kissing-with-sex were associated with oropharyngeal gonorrhoea, but sex-only was not. The adjusted odds for having oropharyngeal gonorrhoea were 1.46-fold (95% CI 1.04 to 2.06) for men with ≥4 kissing-only partners and 1.81-fold (95% CI 1.17 to 2.79) for men with ≥4 kissing-with-sex partners. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that kissing may be associated with transmission of oropharyngeal gonorrhoea in MSM, irrespective of whether sex also occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric P F Chow
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia .,Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vincent J Cornelisse
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Deborah A Williamson
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Priest
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jane S Hocking
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Catriona S Bradshaw
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tim R H Read
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marcus Y Chen
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Benjamin P Howden
- Microbiological Diagnostic Unit Public Health Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
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