Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34544383›Full record

ArticleBMC infectious diseases2021

Exploring the attitudes of men who have sex with men on anal self-examination for early detection of primary anorectal syphilis: a qualitative study.

Ei T Aung, Christopher K Fairley, Jason J Ong, Jade E Bilardi, Marcus Y Chen, Eric P F Chow, Tiffany R Phillips

Open access · goldAbstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMC infectious diseases, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
0.6field-weighted citation impact, top 35% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed, 8 citations in OpenAlex.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Ei T AungMelbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. eaung@mshc.org.au.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2560-3233
Christopher K FairleyMelbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9081-1664
Jason J OngMelbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5784-7403
Jade E BilardiMelbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0461-2605
Marcus Y ChenMelbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8924-2043
Eric P F Chow *Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1766-0657
Tiffany R Phillips *Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6920-7710
Melbourne Sexual Health Centre · AUThe University of Melbourne · AU

Funding

Australian Research Council Discovery DE200100049Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University Research Training Program ScholarshipNational Health and Medical Research Council GNT1104781National Health and Medical Research Council GNT1172873Royal Australasian College of Physicians Research Entry Scholarship
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundStudies show men who have sex with men (MSM) practising receptive anal sex are more likely to present with secondary syphilis, suggesting anorectal primary lesions are being missed. Regular anal self-examination might be able to detect anorectal syphilis lesions, hence potentially reducing transmission. This study aimed to explore the attitudes of MSM on performing anal self-examination to detect primary syphilis.

methodsIn this qualitative study, 20 MSM over 18 years of age were purposively sampled from a sexual health clinic to participate in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and data analysed thematically.

resultsFour major themes and 12 sub-themes were generated from the study: (1) reasons for performing anal self-examination, (2) preferred educational resources for anal self-examination, (3) attitudes towards partner anal examination, and (4) acceptability of anal self-examination. Most participants had performed some form of anal self-examination in the past, and, just over half performed regularly for mostly health-related concerns. Most participants who infrequently or never performed anal self-examination were agreeable to perform regularly if it was recommended by health professionals with appropriate guidance. Participants preferred education on anal self-examination from health professionals and trusted online learning resources.

conclusionOur study showed MSM were agreeable to anal self-examination however would like to receive education and training to gain more confidence in conducting anal self-examination as a screening tool. Further studies are required to explore the adherence and acceptability of anal self-examination for syphilis prior to studies examining efficacy. The study provides foundation for any future policy aiming at utilising anal self-examination as a screening tool for syphilis among MSM.

Indexed as

Sexual and Gender MinoritiesSyphilisAttitudeHomosexuality, MaleHumansMaleSelf-ExaminationAnal self-examinationAnal syphilisScreening for anal syphilisSyphilis in MSM

Identifiers

PMID34544383
PMCPMC8453991
OpenAlexW3143633307

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.