Refocusing on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to improve reproductive health: a call to further action

Nursing team perceptions in caring for sex workers in primary care

OBJECTIVE

To understand nursing team perceptions of a Basic Health Unit in a city in the countryside of São Paulo regarding the care provided to sex workers.

METHOD

This is qualitative research based on Alfred Schutz's framework, with semi-structured interviews conducted with 12 nursing professionals.

RESULTS

The category "Nursing team perceptions and their lifeworld in caring for sex workers" revealed the reasons "why", highlighting the challenges faced in nursing care in vulnerable contexts. The reasons "for" are present in the category "The intentionality of the care provided", which highlights the search for problem-solving care and autonomy promotion in sex workers' lifeworld.

CONCLUSION

Nursing team perceptions of the care provided recognize these professionals' needs and, through bonding and support, seek strategies that promote access to healthcare services.

Assessing Women's Knowledge and Awareness of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Saudi Arabia: A Comprehensive Study

This study aimed to comprehensively assess the knowledge, awareness, and misconceptions regarding sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among women in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 600 women aged 18-55 from various regions across the country. The findings revealed moderate overall STI knowledge, with gaps in understanding transmission routes (31.7%), recognizing symptoms (40.8%), and awareness of prevention methods (35.2%). Prevalent misconceptions included the belief that STIs can spread through casual contact (38%), only individuals with multiple partners are at risk (30%), and STIs are always symptomatic (32%). Demographic factors such as age, education level, and marital status significantly influenced STI knowledge, while residential area did not. Higher education, particularly bachelor's degrees and above, was strongly associated with better awareness. Digital platforms like the internet and social media emerged as significant sources of STI information. Undergoing STI testing, discussing STIs with partners, using protection, and receiving the HPV vaccine were linked to higher knowledge levels. This study highlights the need for targeted educational interventions, integration of sexual health education into curricula, training healthcare providers, community engagement, and leveraging digital platforms to enhance STI awareness and prevention efforts among Saudi women.

Proportion of early treatment seeking for sexually transmitted infections and associated factors among patients attending youth friendly service in Bahir Dar City health centers, Northwest, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Sexually transmitted infection is a common public health issue of youths and is characteristically transmitted through sexual intercourse. Even though early treatment for sexually transmitted infection is very important to reduce further complications and economic burden, studies to identify the proportion and the possible factor of early treatment seeking is rare in Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the proportion of early treatment seeking for sexually transmitted infections and associated factors among patients attending youth friendly service in Bahir Dar city health centers, northwest, Ethiopia 2023.

METHOD

Institutional based Cross-sectional study was used among 407 participants from April 25 to May 24 /2023. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select the participants. An interview-administered questionnaire was used for data collection, whereas Epi-data version 4.6.0.2 and the statistical package for statistical science version 23 were used for data entry and analysis respectively. A frequency table and bar chart were used for descriptive analysis. Multiple binary logistic regression was employed to identify the factors at p-value of <0.05. The necessary assumption of the model was also checked by the Hosmer and Lemishow test.

RESULTS

The response rate of this study was 391 (96.1%) and the proportion of early treatment for sexually transmitted infection was 108 (27.6%, 95%CI; 23-32). Good knowledge about sexually transmitted infection (AOR=1.98, 95CI%; 1.13-3.47) know about their HIV status (AOR=1.95, 95%CI; 1.13-3.36), perceive severity of sexually transmitted infection (AOR=11.23, 95%CI; 6.15-20.45), and not fear the stigma about being infected with sexually transmitted infection (AOR=2.29, 95%CI; 1.32-3.96) were the significantly associated factors for early treatment of sexually transmitted infection. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: The proportion of early treatment for sexually transmitted infection in Bahir Dar city was low. Knowledge about STIs, testing/ knowing HIV status, perception of the severity about sexually transmitted infection, and fear of stigma about sexually transmitted infection were the statistically significant factors for early treatment of sexually transmitted infection. So the government better give attention to health education and other health promotion activities to increase the knowledge of youths about sexually transmitted infection and to change their perception of sexually transmitted infection.

Investigating fertility health knowledge and lifestyle risk factors among Nigerian university students: A cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVES

Adolescents who are unaware of infertility risk factors and the long-term health effects of their lifestyle choices may participate in unsafe sexual and lifestyle behaviors. Their reproductive goals and health may be affected by such behaviors. Adolescents' awareness of male and female infertility risk factors was assessed, along with lifestyle risk variables related to sexual behavior and psychoactive substance use. The causes of inconsistent condom use were also examined.

METHODS

In 2022, a cross-sectional survey was undertaken involving 598 sexually active university students from Nigeria (18.6 years±0.9), the majority of whom were female (57.2 %). Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and binary logistic regression were utilized in the data analysis to determine the influence of lifestyle factors and levels of knowledge on fertility.

RESULTS

Most participants had a moderate understanding of male and female infertility risk factors. The results showed that female students were more informed. Multiple sexual partners and psychoactive substance use were common lifestyle variables. Younger female students, those with several partners, and participants who frequently used alcohol and narcotics used condoms inconsistently.

CONCLUSIONS

The study emphasizes the need for fertility health and lifestyle risk education for Nigerian youth. Despite moderate knowledge, lifestyle implications on fertility are unclear. Fertility health education in schools could help students make informed reproductive choices and lower the risk of infertility and chronic diseases. Research is needed to confirm findings and inform nationwide targeted interventions.

Pregnancy and pregnancy intention after experiencing infertility: A longitudinal study of women in Malawi

BACKGROUND

Infertility is a common experience among individuals and couples. Infertility may resolve without intervention, but little is known about pregnancy intentions and incidence of pregnancy following infertility, particularly in low-resource settings.

METHODS

Data come from UTHA, a longitudinal cohort study in Central Malawi, with baseline and follow up surveys conducted from 2014-2019 (N = 1,030 reproductive-aged women). We assessed bivariable and multivariable relationships between reported infertility at baseline and subsequent pregnancy and retrospective pregnancy intentions. Pregnancy intention was measured with the London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy (LMUP), a scale validated in Malawi (Range = 0-12).

RESULTS

Approximately 20% of the sample reported that they had ever experienced infertility (tried to become pregnant for at least two years without conceiving in that time) at baseline. The proportion of women who reported a new pregnancy during the follow up period (mean = 4.3 years) was the same (65%) for women who had and had not experienced infertility. Among women who became pregnant, levels of pregnancy intendedness were similar between women who had and had not experienced infertility. Prospective desire for a/another child at baseline was associated with subsequent pregnancy (AOR: 1.59; 95%CI: 1.06-2.39) and was also associated with higher levels of pregnancy intendedness measured retrospectively (LMUP of 9.4 vs. 8.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Experienced infertility was not associated with differential odds of having a subsequent pregnancy or the intendedness of a subsequent pregnancy. Thus, women who have experienced infertility should be included in family planning programs and research to support all women in achieving their reproductive goals.

Seroprevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Associated Factors among Vulnerable Riverine in the Brazilian Amazon

Due to social and individual conditions and access to health services, Amazonian riverside populations are highly vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections, including Chlamydia trachomatis. The aim is to estimate the seroprevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis and analyze the associated factors among riverside dwellers in a capital city in the Brazilian Amazon. A cross-sectional study was carried out with residents of the Combu Island, Belém. The study sample was calculated using the population survey technique in the EPI INFO. Only people aged 18 and over were included. ELISA serology was performed to detect antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis. For data collection, a form containing vulnerability factor questions was applied. Binary regression analysis was performed using the Minitab 20 program. The study sample consisted of 325 participants. The prevalence of IgG/IgM antibodies against Chlamydia trachomatis was 22.2% and 5.5%, respectively. In the multiple regression, only participants with a broken condom were more likely to have antibodies against the bacteria (OR: 1.90; 95% CI: 1.01; 3.37; p = 0.046). Seroprevalence was associated with condom breakage. This factor demonstrates that despite having an attitude towards condom use, probably, they may have inadequate knowledge about the correct practice of introduction.

Bacterial membrane vesicles for vaccine applications

Vaccines have been highly successful in the management of many diseases. However, there are still numerous illnesses, both infectious and noncommunicable, for which there are no clinically approved vaccine formulations. While there are unique difficulties that must be overcome in the case of each specific disease, there are also a number of common challenges that have to be addressed for effective vaccine development. In recent years, bacterial membrane vesicles (BMVs) have received increased attention as a potent and versatile vaccine platform. BMVs are inherently immunostimulatory and are able to activate both innate and adaptive immune responses. Additionally, BMVs can be readily taken up and processed by immune cells due to their nanoscale size. Finally, BMVs can be modified in a variety of ways, including by genetic engineering, cargo loading, and nanoparticle coating, in order to create multifunctional platforms that can be leveraged against different diseases. Here, an overview of the interactions between BMVs and immune cells is provided, followed by discussion on the applications of BMV vaccine nanotechnology against bacterial infections, viral infections, and cancers.