rome and Sexually-Transmitted-Diseases

Topics: COVID-19; Humans; Rome; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Syphilis

Topics: COVID-19; HIV Infections; Humans; Pandemics; Rome; SARS-CoV-2; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Syphilis; Taiwan

An observational study was conducted to assess recreational drug use in association with recent STIs among clients of an STI/HIV reference centre in Rome, Italy.. Attendees self-compiled a questionnaire concerning sexual behaviours and drug use, including the nine drugs used for sex (amphetamines, poppers, cocaine, ketamine, erectile dysfunction agent (EDA), steroids and the three chemsex drugs, ie, chems: γ-hydroxybutyric acid/γ-butyrolactone, crystal and Mcat).. Overall, 703 patients participated, with men who have sex with men (MSM) accounting for 50.4% of the total and 73.2% of HIV-positive patients. Apart from condylomatosis, whose prevalence was higher among females (38.8%) and non-MSM (45.8%) than MSM (14.4%), STIs were more frequent among MSM, particularly syphilis (14.1%), gonorrhoea (4.8%), urethritis (3.4%) and hepatitis A (6.5%). Recreational drug use was significantly more frequent among MSM (39.8% vs 17.6% in females and 22.7% in non-MSM). A total of 26.3% of MSM used at least one of the nine drugs and 5.1% at least one of the three chems. Cocaine (13.3%) and poppers (13.0%) were the most used sex drugs in MSM.The use of any of the nine drugs was associated with being MSM (adjusted OR (AOR): 1.94, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.58), sex with partner contacted online (1.99, 95% CI 1.14 to 3.45), group sex (4.08, 95% CI 2.40 to 6.93) and STI in the last year (1.65, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.61). Use of any of the nine chems among MSM was associated with condomless sex (2.24, 95% CI 1.21 to 4.14), group sex (2.08, 95% CI 1.01 to 4.31) and STI diagnosis in the last year (4.08, 95% CI 2.32 to 7.19).. Our data suggest that recreational drug use is quite common among MSM in Italy. No evidence of association with STI was found among non-MSM and females, where only cannabis and cocaine use was reported. The use of chems is still limited, but cocaine, poppers and EDA are widely used among MSM. Recreational drug use appears associated with high-risk sexual behaviours and a higher risk of STI.

Topics: Adult; Drug Utilization; Female; Humans; Illicit Drugs; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Rome; Sexual Behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Substance-Related Disorders; Surveys and Questionnaires

The aim of this study was to establish the serological prevalence of anti-human Parvovirus B19 (HP-B19) antibodies in a group of 321 patients attending a Centre for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and epidemiologically examine whether this virus may also be sexually transmitted. For this purpose, the serum prevalence of anti-HP-B19 evaluated in STD patients (39%) was compared with that of 164 healthy blood donors (10%, p < 0.001), using commercially available ELISA methods detecting the anti-VP1 reactivity of the sera. The same STD patients were also analyzed for serum reactivities against 4 STD-causing microorganisms, namely T. pallidum (TPHA), HBV (HBcAb), HCV (HCV-Ab) and HIV (HIV-Ab), to observe possible associations with the serum anti-HP-B19 reactivity. These tests were also carried out with commercially available kits. The results suggest that the serum anti-HP-B19 antibody prevalence in patients with STDs is increased, also independently of their intravenous drug addition and varies with the reactivity pattern determined. In addition, as expected for a STD, the anti-HP-B19 prevalence is increased in homobisexual patients compared with heterosexuals.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Antibodies, Viral; Bisexuality; Blood Donors; Female; Homosexuality; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Parvoviridae Infections; Parvovirus B19, Human; Rome; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Sexual Behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The role of sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is still not completely understood, partly because of the lack of longitudinal studies among cohorts of HCV-negative individuals who engage in at-risk sexual behavior.. To evaluate the incidence of HCV infection in a population at risk for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and to identify factors associated with HCV seroconversion.. A retrospective longitudinal study was carried out on a cohort of consecutive attendees of a voluntary HIV-1 testing and counseling program in a large STD center in Rome. All individuals undergoing at least two consecutive tests for HCV antibodies were enrolled. Clinical data and information on individual behavior were collected for all study participants.. Between June, 1992 and December, 1994, a total of 709 individuals (12 intravenous drug users [IDU], 244 homosexuals, and 453 heterosexual non-IDUs), initially negative for HCV antibody, were tested more than once. Among these individuals, 15 HCV seroconversions occurred. The average follow-up time was 1.25 person/years (p/y) for an incidence rate of 1.69 per 100 p/y. The incidence rates by exposure category were 39.30 per 100 p/y among IDUs, 1.37 per 100 p/y among homosexual men, and 0.97 per 100 p/y among heterosexual non-IDUs. Excluding IDUs, of the 697 STD clinic attendees engaging in at-risk sexual behavior, HIV-1-positive status tended to be associated with HCV seroconversion (relative hazard = 5.48; 95% confidence interval = 0.85-35.40). The HCV crude incidence rates among HIV-1-infected patients at enrollment was 11.5%, 4.2%, and 2.4% in those with severe, moderate, and mild levels of immunosuppression, respectively (chi-square for trend = 2.38, P = 0.1).. In this cohort, HCV infection was confirmed to be strongly associated with intravenous drug use. Nonetheless, the occurrence of two thirds of the total HCV seroconversions in non-IDU individuals engaging in at-risk behavior suggests a role of sexual practices in the transmission of the infection. Among non-IDU individuals, the risk for development of HCV infection tended to increase in those who were HIV-1 infected.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Female; Hepatitis C; HIV Infections; Humans; Incidence; Logistic Models; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Risk; Risk Factors; Rome; Sexual Behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Substance Abuse, Intravenous; Urban Health

The condom was first mentioned in a 1564 writing by Gabriel Fallopius as a means of protection against syphilis describing his tests on 1100 people. The name itself has been ascribed to the Latin word condere, Cum Domino, the French city of Condom, and doctor Quondom, the physician of the English King Charles II. The Marquis de Sade and Casanova used it to avoid venereal diseases (VDs). In London condom manufacturing started in the 18th century. Later it became a symbol of prostitution and immorality. The material used consisted of fish bladder or animal intestines (calf, sheep). The discovery of the rubber tree and the invention of vulcanization by the American technician Goodyear in 1840 made possible large-scale production. In Hungary the 1st rubber manufacturing plant EMERGE started production in 1893 along with toys and other wares. IN 1895 the HUngarian medial association warned about the spread of syphilis facilitated by the activities of 15,400 syphilitic prostitutes in the country. 30% of hospital patients had syphilis. The use of the condom was limited, and illegitimate births increased by 10.5% during the millennium celebrations of Hungary's existence in 1896. EMERGE manufactured condoms called Nono which were mostly distributed to soldiers during World War I, yet they had little popularity. US soldiers did not use the condoms either, as 7 million active days were lost due to VDs during World War II. In the 1950's Anna Ratko was Minister of Health in Hungary who opposed promotion of condoms to increase the population. The invention of penicillin in 1942 also pushed the condom to the background, but in the 1980's the epidemic of AIDS has made its use widespread.

Topics: China; Contraceptive Devices, Male; Egypt; Europe; Female; History, 16th Century; History, 17th Century; History, 18th Century; History, 19th Century; History, 20th Century; History, Ancient; Humans; Male; Rome; Sexually Transmitted Diseases