Prompting men to have syphilis testsDecember 26, 2006The 'Healthy Penis' campaign was associated with an increase in syphilis tests An innovative social marketing campaign called "Healthy Penis," which used humorous cartoon strips to encourage gay and bisexual men in San Francisco to get checked for syphilis, was associated with an increase in syphilis tests, according to evaluations published in PLoS Medicine. The cartoons (see http://www.healthypenis.org/) were placed in a gay newspaper, and poster-sized reproductions were posted on the streets, on bus shelters, on gay websites, and in gay bars. The researchers, led by Katherine Ahrens (San Francisco Dept of Public Health), conducted two surveys-one at six months and one at 2.5 years after the campaign had begun-in which they asked gay and bisexual men whether they were aware of the cartoons and about their sexual health. Ahrens and colleagues found that gay and bisexual men who were aware of the cartoons were more likely than those unaware to have tested recently for syphilis and to have greater knowledge about syphilis. This effect was sustained for almost three years. "Our evaluations strongly suggest that the Healthy Penis social marketing campaign was effective in augmenting syphilis testing and increasing syphilis awareness and knowledge in the San Francisco gay and bisexual community," say the authors. "This effect might have contributed to decreased syphilis incidence in 2005." Public Library of Science |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Related Syphilis Current Events and Syphilis News Articles Many pregnant women avoid HIV screening in Africa 'Prevention is the best cure' is a common expression, but what happens if preventative measures are not used? A large proportion of pregnant Ugandan women are going out of their way not to be HIV tested, increasing the risk of mother-to-child transmission. Despite Risk, Older African Americans More Likely Than Others To Avoid Flu Vaccine A study about why African American seniors do or do not get influenza vaccinations finds that many of them do not have accurate and complete information about the flu itself, the safety and efficacy of the inoculations, and the ease and necessity of getting the shots. Syphilis survey reveals need for accurate testing for early infection Although syphilis is one of the oldest known diseases, most health professionals do not have access to the tests necessary to reliably diagnose it in its earliest and most infectious stage. What are coral reef services worth? $130,000 to $1.2 million per hectare, per year: experts Experts concluding the global DIVERSITAS biodiversity conference today in Cape Town described preliminary research revealing jaw-dropping dollar values of the "ecosystem services" of biomes like forests and coral reefs - including food, pollution treatment and climate regulation. High mortality rates may explain small body size A new study suggests that high mortality rates in small-bodied people, commonly known as pygmies, may be part of the reason for their small stature. Risky sexual behavior among male clients of Tijuana sex workers heightens risk of HIV transmission A study by a bi-national team of global health researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, examining HIV infection among male clients of female sex workers in Tijuana, has found that over half of male clients had recently had unprotected sex. New studies give clear guidance on how to better recruit volunteers for Alzheimer's clinical studies Partnering with local physicians, working with local clinics, and conducting educational seminars and health fairs were found to be the most effective tools in recruiting people for Alzheimer's clinical studies. UI chemists' DNA biosynthesis discovery could lead to better antibiotics Combating several human pathogens, including some biological warfare agents, may one day become a bit easier thanks to research reported by a University of Iowa chemist and his colleagues in the April 16 issue of the journal Nature. Scientists discover new chemical reaction for DNA production in bacteria and viruses A team of researchers has discovered a new chemical reaction for producing one of the four nucleotides, or building blocks, needed to build DNA. Developing countries need support to ethically conduct unlinked anonymous HIV testing Data collected from HIV surveillance are crucial to guide public health interventions, planning, and prevention efforts. But developing countries face several challenges to implementing surveillance programs says a team of researchers from the US and the Democratic Republic of Congo in this week's PLoS Medicine. More Syphilis Current Events and Syphilis News Articles |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||