Lisa E. Manhart

Abstinence-Only and Comprehensive Sex Education and the Initiation of Sexual Activity and Teen Pregnancy

PURPOSE The role that sex education plays in the initiation of sexual activity and risk of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease (STD) is controversial in the United States. Despite several systematic reviews, few epidemiologic evaluations of the effectiveness of these programs on a population level have been conducted. METHODS Among never-married heterosexual adolescents, aged 15-19 years, who participated in Cycle 6 (2002) of the National Survey of Family Growth and reported on formal sex education received before their first sexual intercourse (n = 1719), we compared the sexual health risks of adolescents who received abstinence-only and comprehensive sex education to those of adolescents who received no formal sex education. Weighted multivariate logistic regression generated population-based estimates. RESULTS Adolescents who received comprehensive sex education were significantly less likely to report teen pregnancy (OR(adj) = .4, 95% CI = .22- .69, p = .001) than those who received no formal sex education, whereas there was no significant effect of abstinence-only education (OR(adj) = .7, 95% CI = .38-1.45, p = .38). Abstinence-only education did not reduce the likelihood of engaging in vaginal intercourse (OR(adj) = .8, 95% CI = .51-1.31, p = .40), but comprehensive sex education was marginally associated with a lower likelihood of reporting having engaged in vaginal intercourse (OR(adj) = .7, 95% CI = .49-1.02, p = .06). Neither abstinence-only nor comprehensive sex education significantly reduced the likelihood of reported STD diagnoses (OR(adj) = 1.7, 95% CI = .57-34.76, p = .36 and OR(adj) = 1.8, 95% CI = .67-5.00, p = .24 respectively). CONCLUSIONS Teaching about contraception was not associated with increased risk of adolescent sexual activity or STD. Adolescents who received comprehensive sex education had a lower risk of pregnancy than adolescents who received abstinence-only or no sex education.

Do condoms prevent genital HPV infection external genital warts or cervical neoplasia? A meta-analysis.

Background Although condoms most likely prevent HIV infection, evidence of their effectiveness against other sexually transmitted diseases is mixed. Goal The goal of the study was to determine whether condom use prevents genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and HPV-related conditions. Study Design We conducted a literature review and meta-analysis of the effect of condom use on the prevention of genital warts, subclinical HPV infection, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and invasive cervical cancer (ICC). Results Among 27 estimates from 20 studies, there was no consistent evidence that condom use reduces the risk of becoming HPV DNA–positive. However, risk for genital warts, CIN of grade II or III (CIN II or III), and ICC was somewhat reduced. Conclusions Available data are too inconsistent to provide precise estimates. However, they suggest that while condoms may not prevent HPV infection, they may protect against genital warts, CIN II or III, and ICC.

Association between Mycoplasma genitalium and acute endometritis

Up to 70% of cases of pelvic inflammatory disease do not have a known cause. We recruited 115 women who had presented to a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases in Nairobi, Kenya with pelvic pain that had persisted for 14 days or less, to look for an association between Mycoplasma genitalium and endometritis. With PCR, we detected M genitalium in the cervix, endometrium, or both in nine (16%) of 58 women with histologically confirmed endometritis and in one (2%) of 57 women without endometritis (p=0.02). Our results suggest that infection with M genitalium is strongly associated with acute endometritis in this population.

Mucopurulent Cervicitis and Mycoplasma genitalium

Many cases of mucopurulent cervicitis (MPC) are idiopathic and cannot be attributed to the known cervical pathogens Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, or herpes simplex virus. Because Mycoplasma genitalium is associated with nongonoccocal urethritis in men, its role in MPC, the corresponding syndrome in women, was investigated. Archived cervical specimens from women recruited in the Harborview Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic in Seattle from 1984 to 1986 were tested, using polymerase chain reaction, in a study that identified other causes of and risk factors for MPC. M. genitalium was detected in 50 (7.0%) of 719 women. Young age, multiple recent partners, prior miscarriage, smoking, menstrual cycle, and douching were positively associated with M. genitalium, whereas bacterial vaginosis and cunnilingus were negatively associated. After adjustment for age, phase of menstrual cycle, and presence of known cervical pathogens, women with M. genitalium had a 3.3-fold greater risk (95% confidence interval, 1.7-6.4) of MPC, which suggests that this organism may be a cause of MPC.

Human papillomavirus infection among sexually active young women in the United States: Implications for developing a vaccination strategy.

Objectives: Population-level data on prevalence and distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) types in the United States are necessary to guide optimal vaccination strategies. Study: Urine specimens from 3262 women ages 18 to 25 in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Wave III) were tested and typed for HPV. Poststratification sampling weights generated nationally representative estimates. Results: Overall HPV prevalence was 26.9% and as high as 14.3% among women with 1 lifetime partner but did not vary by geographic region. High-risk types were detected in 20%; ∼10% were infected with types in current candidate vaccines. HPV infection was independently associated with mixing sex with alcohol, a black partner, >3 lifetime sex partners, being single, and illegal drug use. Having a current sex partner and receptive oral sex were inversely associated with HPV. Conclusion: HPV prevalence was high throughout the country, even among women with only 1 lifetime partner, suggesting early and widespread rather than targeted immunization of young women.

Mycoplasma genitalium Among Young Adults in the United States: An Emerging Sexually Transmitted Infection

OBJECTIVES We sought to determine the prevalence of and risk factors associated with Mycoplasma genitalium infection in a nationally representative sample of young adults in the United States. METHODS Urine specimens from 1714 women and 1218 men who participated in Wave III of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N=14322) were tested for M genitalium. Poststratification sampling weights were used to generate nationally representative estimates. RESULTS The prevalence of M genitalium was 1.0% compared with 0.4%, 4.2%, and 2.3% for gonococcal, chlamydial, and trichomonal infections, respectively. No M genitalium-positive individuals reported symptoms of discharge. M genitalium prevalence among those who reported vaginal intercourse was 1.1% compared with 0.05% among those who did not. In multivariate analyses, M genitalium prevalence was 11 times higher among respondents who reported living with a sexual partner, 7 times higher among Blacks, and 4 times higher among those who used condoms during their last vaginal intercourse. Prevalence of M genitalium increased by 10% for each additional sexual partner. CONCLUSIONS M genitalium was more prevalent than Neisseria gonorrhoeae but less prevalent than Chlamydia trachomatis, and it was strongly associated with sexual activity.

Detection of Mycoplasma genitalium in women with laparoscopically diagnosed acute salpingitis

Objectives:Mycoplasma genitalium has been associated with cervicitis, endometritis, and tubal factor infertility. Because the ability of this bacterium to ascend and infect the fallopian tube remains undefined, we performed an investigation to determine the prevalence of M genitalium in fallopian tube, endometrial, and cervical specimens from women laparoscopically diagnosed with acute salpingitis in Nairobi, Kenya. Methods: Women presenting with pelvic inflammatory disease were laparoscopically diagnosed with salpingitis. Infection with M genitalium in genital specimens was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Of 123 subjects with acute salpingitis, M genitalium was detected by PCR in the cervix and/or endometrium in nine (7%) participants, and in a single fallopian tube specimen. In addition, those infected with M genitalium were more often HIV infected than women not infected by M genitalium (seven of nine (78%) v 42 of 114 (37%), p<0.03). Conclusions:M genitalium is able to ascend into the fallopian tube, but its association with tubal pathology requires further investigation.

Standard Treatment Regimens for Nongonococcal Urethritis Have Similar but Declining Cure Rates: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND Azithromycin or doxycycline is recommended for nongonococcal urethritis (NGU); recent evidence suggests their efficacy has declined. We compared azithromycin and doxycycline in men with NGU, hypothesizing that azithromycin was more effective than doxycycline. METHODS From January 2007 to July 2011, English-speaking males ≥16 years, attending a sexually transmitted diseases clinic in Seattle, Washington, with NGU (visible urethral discharge or ≥5 polymorphonuclear leukocytes per high-power field [PMNs/HPF]) were eligible for this double-blind, parallel-group superiority trial. Participants received active azithromycin (1 g) + placebo doxycycline or active doxycycline (100 mg twice daily for 7 days) + placebo azithromycin. Urine was tested for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), Ureaplasma urealyticum biovar 2 (UU-2), and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) using nucleic acid amplification tests. Clinical cure (<5 PMNs/HPF with or without urethral symptoms and absence of discharge) and microbiologic cure (negative tests for CT, MG, and/or UU-2) were determined after 3 weeks. RESULTS Of 606 men, 304 were randomized to azithromycin and 302 to doxycycline; CT, MG, TV, and UU-2 were detected in 24%, 13%, 2%, and 23%, respectively. In modified intent-to-treat analyses, 172 of 216 (80%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 74%-85%) receiving azithromycin and 157 of 206 (76%; 95% CI, 70%-82%) receiving doxycycline experienced clinical cure (P = .40). In pathogen-specific analyses, clinical cure did not differ by arm, nor did microbiologic cure differ for CT (86% vs 90%, P = .56), MG (40% vs 30%, P = .41), or UU-2 (75% vs 70%, P = .50). No unexpected adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS Clinical and microbiologic cure rates for NGU were somewhat low and there was no significant difference between azithromycin and doxycycline. Mycoplasma genitalium treatment failure was extremely common. Clinical Trials Registration.NCT00358462.

Randomized Controlled Trials of Individual-Level, Population-Level, and Multilevel Interventions for Preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections: What Has Worked?

BACKGROUND Previous reviews of interventions to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) focused mostly on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We reviewed trials of interventions to prevent sexual transmission of any STI, employing a multilevel perspective. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and recent unpublished presentations through 2003, to identify randomized controlled trials of preventive STI interventions having systematic, objective measurement of STI outcomes. We classified trials according to intervention target and level of randomization (individual, group, or community); impact target (acquisition, transmission, or complications of STI); and primary intervention modality. RESULTS Of 83 trials identified, 41 met inclusion criteria, including trials of 28 individual-level, 9 group-level, and 4 community-level interventions. Among individual- and group-level interventions, 32 targeted acquisition, 4 targeted transmission, and 1 targeted complications of STI. The 4 intervention modalities most often used included behavior change (12 studies), vaccination (7 studies), use of topical microbicides (10 studies), and prophylactic, curative, or suppressive therapy (10 studies). Community-level interventions had multiple impact targets, and 2 interventions used multiple modalities. Only 1 intervention showed efficacy against sexual transmission of HIV, but 22 (53.7%) showed effectiveness against other STIs. CONCLUSION Although many interventions have been found to be effective against STIs, few have been replicated, widely implemented, or carefully evaluated for effectiveness in other settings.

Mycoplasma genitalium Infection and Female Reproductive Tract Disease: A Meta-analysis

To determine the association between Mycoplasma genitalium infection and female reproductive tract syndromes through meta-analysis, English-language, peer-reviewed studies were identified via PubMed, Embase, Biosis, Cochrane Library, and reference review. Two reviewers independently extracted data. Random-effects models were employed to calculate summary estimates, between-study heterogeneity was evaluated using I(2) statistics, publication bias was assessed via funnel plots and the Begg and Egger tests, and methodologic quality was rated. Mycoplasma genitalium infection was significantly associated with increased risk of cervicitis (pooled odds ratio [OR], 1.66 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.35-2.04]), pelvic inflammatory disease (pooled OR, 2.14 [95% CI, 1.31-3.49]), preterm birth (pooled OR, 1.89 [95% CI, 1.25-2.85]), and spontaneous abortion (pooled OR, 1.82 [95% CI, 1.10-3.03]). Risk of infertility was similarly elevated (pooled OR, 2.43 [95% CI, .93-6.34]). In subanalyses accounting for coinfections, all associations were stronger and statistically significant. Testing of high-risk symptomatic women for M. genitalium may be warranted.