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| 2. |
- Dema, Emily, et al.
(author)
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How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect access to condoms, chlamydia and HIV testing, and cervical cancer screening at a population level in Britain? (Natsal-COVID)
- 2023
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In: Sexually Transmitted Infections. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 1368-4973 .- 1472-3263. ; 99:4, s. 261-267
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: To investigate how differential access to key interventions to reduce STIs, HIV and their sequelae changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: British participants (18-59 years) completed a cross-sectional web survey 1 year (March-April 2021) after the initial lockdown in Britain. Quota-based sampling and weighting resulted in a quasi-representative population sample. We compared Natsal-COVID data with Natsal-3, a household-based probability sample cross-sectional survey (16-74 years) conducted in 2010-2012. Reported unmet need for condoms because of the pandemic and uptake of chlamydia testing/HIV testing/cervical cancer screening were analysed among sexually experienced participants (18-44 years) (n=3869, Natsal-COVID; n=8551, Natsal-3). ORs adjusted for age and other potential confounders describe associations with demographic and behavioural factors.Results: In 2021, 6.9% of women and 16.2% of men reported unmet need for condoms because of the pandemic. This was more likely among participants: aged 18-24 years, of black or black British ethnicity, and reporting same-sex sex (past 5 years) or one or more new relationships (past year). Chlamydia and HIV testing were more commonly reported by younger participants, those reporting condomless sex with new sexual partners and men reporting same-sex partners; a very similar distribution to 10 years previously (Natsal-3). However, there were differences during the pandemic, including stronger associations with chlamydia testing for men reporting same-sex partners; with HIV testing for women reporting new sexual partners and with cervical screening among smokers.Conclusions: Our study suggests differential access to key primary and secondary STI/HIV prevention interventions continued during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there was not strong evidence that differential access has changed during the pandemic when compared with 2010-2012. While the pandemic might not have exacerbated inequalities in access to primary and secondary prevention, it is clear that large inequalities persisted, typically among those at greatest STI/HIV risk.
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| 3. |
- Dema, Emily, et al.
(author)
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How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect unmet need for condoms at a population level? (Natsal-COVID)
- 2022
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In: Sexually Transmitted Infections. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 1368-4973 .- 1472-3263. ; 98:Suppl. 1, s. A42-A42
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Introduction: Use of condoms to prevent STIs/HIV and unplanned pregnancy remains important during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is unknown whether the pandemic affected condom access and which population groups were most impacted.Methods: 6658 participants (18-59y) completed a cross-sectional web survey one-year after the initial British lockdown from 23 March 2020. Quota-based sampling and weighting resulted in a sample that was quasi-representative of the British population. We report the prevalence of unmet need for condoms because of the pandemic among sexually-experienced participants aged 18-44 years (n=2869). Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) quantify associations with demographic and behavioural factors.Results: Overall, 6.9% of women and 16.2% of men reported unmet need for condoms in the past year because of the pandemic. This was more likely to be reported by participants who: were aged 18-24 years vs. 35-44 (AOR: men 2.25 [95%CI:1.26-4.01], women 2.95[1.42-6.16]); were Black or Black British vs. White (men 2.86 [1.45-5.66], women 1.93 [1.03-8.30]); reported same-sex sex vs. not (past five years; men 2.85 [1.68-4.86], women 5.00 [2.48-10.08]); or ≥1 new relationships vs. not (past year, men 5.85 [3.55-9.66], women 6.38 [3.24-12.59]). Men, but not women, reporting STI-related service use (past year) were more likely to report unmet need for condoms compared to men that did not report service use (3.83 [2.18-6.71]).Discussion: Unmet need for condoms because of the pandemic was more likely to be reported by populations at higher risk of adverse sexual health outcomes, including STI/HIV transmission. Improved access to free/low-cost condoms is crucial for all.
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| 4. |
- Dema, Emily, et al.
(author)
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Initial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health service use and unmet need in Britain : findings from a quasi-representative survey (Natsal-COVID)
- 2022
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In: The Lancet Public Health. - : Elsevier. - 2468-2667. ; 7:1, s. e36-e47
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service use and unmet need, but the impact is unknown. We aimed to determine the proportion of participants reporting sexual risk behaviours, SRH service use and unmet need, and to assess remote sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing service use after the first national lockdown in Britain.METHODS: We used data from the National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal)-COVID cross-sectional, quasi-representative web survey (Natsal-COVID Wave 1). Adults aged 18-59 years who resided in England, Scotland, or Wales completed the survey between July 29 and Aug 10, 2020, which included questions about the approximate 4-month period after announcement of the initial lockdown in Britain (March 23, 2020). Quota-based sampling and weighting were used to achieve a quasi-representative population sample. Participants aged 45-59 years were excluded from services analysis due to low rates of SRH service use. Among individuals aged 18-44 years, we estimated reported SRH service use and inability to access, and calculated age-adjusted odds ratios (aORs) among sexually experienced individuals (those reporting any sexual partner in their lifetime) and sexually active individuals (those reporting any sexual partner in the past year). Unweighted denominators and weighted estimates are presented hereafter.FINDINGS: 6654 individuals had complete interviews and were included in the analysis. Among 3758 participants aged 18-44 years, 82·0% reported being sexually experienced, and 73·7% reported being sexually active. 20·8% of sexually experienced participants aged 18-44 years reported using SRH services in the 4-month period. Overall, 9·7% of 3108 participants (9·5% of men; 9·9% of women) reported being unable to use a service they needed, although of the participants who reported trying but not being able to use a SRH service at least once, 76·4% of participants also reported an instance of successful use. 5·9% of 1221 sexually active men and 3·6% of 1560 sexually active women reported use of STI-related services and 14·8% of 1728 sexually experienced women reported use of contraceptive services, with SRH service use highest among individuals aged 18-24 years. Sexually active participants reporting condomless sex with new partners since lockdown were much more likely to report using STI-related services than those who did not report condomless sex (aOR 23·8 [95% CI 11·6-48·9]) for men, 10·5 [3·9-28·2] for women) and, among men, were also more likely to have an unsuccessful attempt at STI-service use (aOR 13·3 [5·3-32·9]). Among 106 individuals who reported using STI testing services, 64·4% accessed services remotely (telephone, video, or online). Among 2581 women aged 25-59 years, 2·4% reported cervical screening compared with an estimated 6% in a comparable 4-month period before the pandemic.INTERPRETATION: Many people accessed SRH care during the initial lockdown; however, young people and those reporting sexual risk behaviours reported difficulties in accessing services and thus such services might need to address a backlog of need.
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| 6. |
- Mesher, David, et al.
(author)
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Population-level effects of human papillomavirus vaccination programs on infections with nonvaccine genotypes
- 2016
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In: Emerging Infectious Diseases. - : Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). - 1080-6040 .- 1080-6059. ; 22:10, s. 1732-1740
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We analyzed human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalences during prevaccination and postvaccination periods to consider possible changes in nonvaccine HPV genotypes after introduction of vaccines that confer protection against 2 high-risk types, HPV16 and HPV18. Our meta-analysis included 9 studies with data for 13,886 girls and women ≤19 years of age and 23,340 women 20–24 years of age. We found evidence of cross-protection for HPV31 among the younger age group after vaccine introduction but little evidence for reductions of HPV33 and HPV45. For the group this same age group, we also found slight increases in 2 nonvaccine high-risk HPV types (HPV39 and HPV52) and in 2 possible high-risk types (HPV53 and HPV73). However, results between age groups and vaccines used were inconsistent, and the increases had possible alternative explanations; consequently, these data provided no clear evidence for type replacement. Continued monitoring of these HPV genotypes is important.
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| 7. |
- Oeser, Clarissa, et al.
(author)
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Feasibility and acceptability of home-based self-collection of multiple vaginal swabs in a general population survey in Britain′s fourth National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles-4 (Natsal-4)
- 2024
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In: Sexually Transmitted Diseases. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 0148-5717 .- 1537-4521. ; 51:1S, s. S318-S319
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: Despite greater sensitivity of vaginal swabs compared to urine for detection of STIs and high acceptability in clinical settings, acceptability and feasibility of home-based self-collected vaginal swabs for research are less certain. We undertook development work to test these attributes for self-collected vaginal swabs for Natsal-4, a probability sample, interviewer-administered, survey of the ritish population aged 16-59 years.Methods: We conducted two pilot studies in 2021-22. After completing an interview, all participants identifying as cisgender women were invited to provide three self-collected vaginal swabs, with procedures for providing samples during or afte rface-to-face interviews or after remote interviews. Samples were posted to the laboratory. Consent was provided with the understanding of non-return of results. Participants declining vaginal swabs were invited to provide urine. Interviewers were not clinically trained. Qualitative follow-up interviews were conducted with participants and interviewers provided feedback.Results: Of the 153 cisgender women interviewed, 77 (50%) agreed to provide a vaginal swab, and 22 preferred to provide urine, resulting in an overall biosample consent rate of 65%. Of these, 60 swabs and 18 urine samples were received (Figure), resulting in an overall response of 51% (39% for vaginal swabs). Of the 77 who consented to provide swabs, 43 (56%) were during face-to-face interviews, of which 95% were received, compared to 13 (17%) agreeing to collection after face-to-face with 54% received, and 21 (27%) choosing remote interviews with 57% received. Fourteen participants (10 provided swabs) gave follow-up interviews and seven interviewers provided feedback. Participants conveyed their motivation to support research by giving samples. Interviewers were surprised at participants’ willingness to provide swabs. Reasons for not providing a swab included the belief that it was uncomfortable, too intimate or not relevant for their circumstances, or that urine was easier to collect.Conclusion: Our findings show that self-collection of vaginal swabs at home facilitated by non-clinically trained interviewers for a population-based probability survey is feasible and acceptable. Mode of interview and timing of sample collection are important as they affect response rate. Vaginal swab collection was incorporated into the main Natsal-4study with similar response to date.
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| 8. |
- Pitt, Rachel, et al.
(author)
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Antimicrobial resistance in Mycoplasma genitalium sampled from the British general population
- 2020
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In: Sexually Transmitted Infections. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 1368-4973 .- 1472-3263. ; 96:6, s. 464-468
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Mycoplasma genitaliumis a common sexually transmitted infection. Treatment guidelines focus on those with symptoms and sexual contacts, generally with regimens including doxycycline and/or azithromycin as first-line and moxifloxacin as second-line treatment. We investigated the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR)-conferring mutations inM. genitaliumamong the sexually-active British general population.Methods: The third national survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles (Natsal-3) is a probability sample survey of 15 162 men and women aged 16-74 years in Britain conducted during 2010-12. Urine test results forM. genitaliumwere available for 4507 participants aged 16-44 years reporting>1 lifetime sexual partner. In this study, we sequenced regions of the 23S rRNA andparCgenes to detect known genotypic determinants for resistance to macrolides and fluoroquinolones respectively.Results: 94% (66/70) of specimens were re-confirmed asM. genitaliumpositive, with successful sequencing in 85% (56/66) for 23S rRNA and 92% (61/66) forparCgenes. Mutations in 23S rRNA gene (position A2058/A2059) were detected in 16.1% (95%CI: 8.6% to 27.8%) and inparC(encodingParCD87N/D87Y) in 3.3% (0.9%-11.2%). Macrolide resistance was more likely in participants reporting STI diagnoses (past 5 years) (44.4% (18.9%-73.3%) vs 10.6% (4.6%-22.6%); p=0.029) or sexual health clinic attendance (past year) (43.8% (23.1%-66.8%) vs 5.0% (1.4%-16.5%); p=0.001). All 11 participants with AMR-conferring mutations had attended sexual health clinics (past 5 years), but none reported recent symptoms.Conclusions: This study highlights challenges inM. genitaliummanagement and control. Macrolide resistance was present in one in six specimens from the general population in 2010-2012, but no participants with AMRM. genitaliumreported symptoms. Given anticipated increases in diagnostic testing, new strategies including novel antimicrobials, AMR-guided therapy, and surveillance of AMR and treatment failure are recommended.
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| 9. |
- Ratna, Natasha, et al.
(author)
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Ethnic variations in sexual risk behaviour, sexual health service use and unmet need during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic : an analysis of population-based survey and surveillance data
- 2022
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In: Sexually Transmitted Infections. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 1368-4973 .- 1472-3263. ; 98:Suppl. 1, s. A8-A9
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Introduction: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, STIs disproportionately affected some Black communities. We examined ethnic inequalities in sexual health during the pandemic.Methods: Analyses were restricted to England residents aged 18–59. We included 5,240 sexually-experienced participants from Natsal-COVID survey Wave 2 (quasi-representative web panel survey) reporting one-year outcomes from March 2020-April 2021. We estimated weighted proportions and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) between ethnicity and sexual risk behaviour (condomless sex with new partner on first occasion), sexual health service (SHS) use, and unmet need (trying but failing to access SHS). Using GUMCAD national surveillance data from before (March 2019-March 2020) and during (March 2020-March 2021) the pandemic, we compared proportional differences in rates of STI tests and diagnoses by ethnicity.Results: Compared to Natsal-COVID participants of White ethnicity, sexual risk behaviour (8%) was higher among participants of Mixed/Other (22%, AOR:2.26 [95% CI 1.08-4.73]) and Asian (15%, 1.58 [1.07-2.35]); SHS use (5%) was higher in Black (20%, 3.04 [1.75-5.28]) and Mixed/Other (20%, 2.64 [1.35-5.14]); and unmet need (2%) was higher in Black (11%, 5.01 [2.26-11.09]) and Asian (5%, 2.33 [1.11-4.90]) ethnicity. In GUMCAD, among people attending SHS, we observed similar reductions of around 50% in testing and diagnoses during the pandemic across different ethnic groups, although the greatest reduction was in people of Asian ethnicity (56% and 52% respectively).Discussion: Two independent national data sources showed sexual health inequalities persisted during the first year of the pandemic with evidence of more unmet need among minority ethnicities, but further work is needed to assess whether these worsened.
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| 10. |
- Sonnenberg, Pam, et al.
(author)
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Intimate physical contact between people from different households during the COVID-19 pandemic : a mixed-methods study from a large, quasi-representative survey (Natsal-COVID)
- 2022
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In: BMJ Open. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 2044-6055. ; 12:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: Physical distancing as a non-pharmaceutical intervention aims to reduce interactions between people to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Intimate physical contact outside the household (IPCOH) may expand transmission networks by connecting households. We aimed to explore whether intimacy needs impacted adherence to physical distancing following lockdown in Britain in March 2020.METHODS: The Natsal-COVID web-panel survey (July-August 2020) used quota-sampling and weighting to achieve a quasi-representative population sample. We estimate reporting of IPCOH with a romantic/sexual partner in the 4 weeks prior to interview, describe the type of contact, identify demographic and behavioural factors associated with IPCOH and present age-adjusted ORs (aORs). Qualitative interviews (n=18) were conducted to understand the context, reasons and decision making around IPCOH.RESULTS: Of 6654 participants aged 18-59 years, 9.9% (95% CI 9.1% to 10.6%) reported IPCOH. IPCOH was highest in those aged 18-24 (17.7%), identifying as gay or lesbian (19.5%), and in steady non-cohabiting relationships (56.3%). IPCOH was associated with reporting risk behaviours (eg, condomless sex, higher alcohol consumption). IPCOH was less likely among those reporting bad/very bad health (aOR 0.54; 95% CI 0.32 to 0.93) but more likely among those with COVID-19 symptoms and/or diagnosis (aOR 1.34; 95% CI 1.10 to 1.65). Two-thirds (64.4%) of IPCOH was reported as being within a support bubble. Qualitative interviews found that people reporting IPCOH deliberated over, and made efforts to mitigate, the risks.CONCLUSIONS: Given 90% of people did not report IPCOH, this contact may not be a large additional contributor to SARS-CoV-2 transmission, although heterogeneity exists within the population. Public health messages need to recognise how single people and partners living apart balance sexual intimacy and relationship needs with adherence to control measures.
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