Men’s Preferences for Sexually Transmitted Infection Care Services in a Low-Income Community Clinic Setting in New York City

Abstract

A self-administered anonymous waiting room survey was used to evaluate men's preferences on testing, notification, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in a community clinic in Upper Manhattan in 2007. Sixty-seven percent of eligible men (n = 199) participated. Most were willing to collect a urine sample at home (71%, n = 140) or at the clinic (87%, n = 171). Respondents preferred learning of a positive STI test result by phone (67%, n = 123). However, men were willing to receive results by text (65%, n = 127) or e-mail (61%, n = 121). Most (83%, n = 162) reported they would be (very) likely to take STI medication brought to them by a partner. Twenty-one percent reported previous gonorrhea or Chlamydia infection (n = 41). Of these, 39% (n = 16) had received medication to bring their partner, and almost all (n = 14/16) reported their partner took the medicine. Multiple options for STI testing, notification, and treatment are recommended to maximize service use among men, including providing patient-delivered partner therapy.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of the Vietnamese as Key Factors in Controlling COVID-19

“…Interestingly, the percentage of optimistic attitude (68.6%) was lower than the percentage of good practice (75.8%). This did not follow the behavioral change model, which explained that good knowledge would contribute to a positive attitude, which in turn increases the appropriate practice [17]. The high rate of the community's good practices in COVID-19 prevention could partly be due to strict prevention measures implemented by the Vietnamese Government, which were underpinned through laws, sanctions, and regulations.…”

Women's preferences for testing and management of sexually transmitted infections among low-income New York City family planning clients

“…A separate survey was conducted to evaluate men's preferences as previously reported. 6 Columbia University Medical Center's Institutional Review Board approved the study.…”

Managing chlamydia infections in young men: results from an audit of a public men's clinic in New York City

“…Waiting room data suggest that men at this clinic are amenable to EPT; 82% report they would be willing to take extra medicine for their partner. 16 Further, a recent review of partner notification strategies for male CT cases suggests that use of EPT increases the likelihood that female partners are notified. 18 Efforts should thus be made to increase offers of EPT in addition to referrals in this clinic.…”

“…Nearly one-quarter of the charts were missing data on partner status, and documentation of follow-up on partner treatment for those with partner status data were quite low. Recent data from this clinic, 16 as well as three sexually transmitted disease clinics in US cities, 17 suggest that most men's first choice is to have their partner(s) seen by a clinician; referrals should continue to be routinely offered. However, as not all partners will attend clinic, EPT should also continue to be offered as a second option.…”

“…Men at the YMC clinic report regular use of text messages on cell phones (69%) and/or email (58%). 16 Automated reminder messages could increase clinic visits for test for re-infection in this population. Chart-based reminders or ‘ticklers’ could further ensure that when men do return they are re-tested.…”