ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Application-based data regarding sexual health and sexual behavior in various sexually active populations are scarce but at the same time relevant with regards to prevention and healthcare supply strategies. Given the structure of its attendees, the Walk In Ruhr (WIR) Center for Sexual Health and Medicine is able to obtain data from diverse living environments. OBJECTIVES: Based on the online HIV/STI risk test, questionnaires, and attendee data from the WIR, this study aims to deduce population-related findings with regards to age, gender, sexual orientation, and sexual and risk behavior as well as the respective needs for prevention. The influence of the SARS-CoV-19 pandemic on sexual behavior is examined by comparing various phases. METHODS: The analyzed data sources are the online HIV/STI risk test, the COWIR, and the PrEP study as well as the immunological outpatient clinic and the public health department at the WIR. RESULTS: Notwithstanding contact restrictions, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have increased from 2019 to 2020. Apart from men having sex with men and females having sex with females, young people also have an increased risk of STIs based on sexual practices and the number of sexual contacts. A large number of bisexual and transsexual contacts was found. SARS-CoV2 led to a decrease in sexual contacts; sexual practices continued. There was a growing proportion of STI tests and the treatment rate including partner treatment rose. DISCUSSION: Data from the WIR center show that young attendees with an active sexual life are being reached. The results from questionnaires and the online HIV/STI risk test are mirrored in increased positive STI test results. These results vary depending on sexual behavior and sexual preferences such that specific strategies for sexual education, prevention, testing, and therapy are required.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , HIV Infections , Sexually Transmitted Diseases , Adolescent , Delivery of Health Care , Female , Germany , HIV Infections/epidemiology , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Homosexuality, Male , Humans , Male , Pandemics/prevention & control , SARS-CoV-2 , Sexual Behavior , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/epidemiology , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/prevention & controlABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Holistic sexual healthcare factors in diversity of social habitat and aims to improvise client outreach for prevention, testing, counseling, and treatment of STIs. Towards this goal, the immunology outpatient clinic, the public health department of Bochum, the AIDS Service Organization Bochum e.â¯v., and other community-driven NGOs mutually cooperate under the umbrella of WIR - Walk In Ruhr, Centre for Sexual Health and Medicine. OBJECTIVES: WIR is an innovative concept for multi-professional in-house ambulatory healthcare with cross-sectoral and cross-legal reach. It has successfully improved accessibility, testing and treatment rates, and HIV/STI self-assessment. We present the results achieved at WIR. METHODS: A mixed-method design of qualitative and quantitative surveys. RESULTS: The WIR reaches more women (27.7%) and heterosexuals (56.4%) than other counseling/test centers. The rate of positive test results at the WIR increased from 9.3% in 2017 to 12.6% in 2018 and progress from prevention to medical care is a significant aspect of WIR. The Federal Ministry of Health has externally evaluated WIR for over three years. DISCUSSION: The integrative care model of WIR allows for early outreach and treatment of individuals with HIV/ST infections. Health advisors remain an important instrument facilitating outreach and psychosocial/psychotherapeutic counseling is administered frequently. Such a multi-layered approach in prevention, testing, and consultation, leads to improvement in both medical outcomes and the self-responsible attitude of patients towards their sexual health. Hence, expansion of integrative care models like WIR on a wider scale could arguably contribute to better health service and sexual health.
