Exploring the attitudes of men who have sex with men on anal self-examination for early detection of primary anorectal syphilis: a qualitative study
Open Access
- 20 September 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in BMC Infectious Diseases
- Vol. 21 (1), 1-12
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06686-4
Abstract
Studies 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. In 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. Four 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. Our 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.Funding Information
- Australian Research Council Discovery (DE200100049)
- National Health and Medical Research Council (GNT1172873, GNT1172873, GNT1104781)
- Royal Australasian College of Physicians (Research Entry Scholarship)
- Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University (Research Training Program Scholarship)
This publication has 34 references indexed in Scilit:
- Exploring anal self-examination as a means of screening for anal cancer in HIV positive men who have sex with men: a qualitative studyBMC Public Health, 2014
- Primary chancre in the rectum: A report of rare case of syphilisRadiology of Infectious Diseases, 2014
- Regional and national guideline recommendations for digital ano-rectal examination as a means for anal cancer screening in HIV positive men who have sex with men: a systematic reviewBMC Cancer, 2014
- Increasing gay men’s testing rates and enhancing partner notification can reduce the incidence of syphilisSexual Health, 2012
- Self-Screening for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis in the Human Immunodeficiency Virus Clinic—High Yields and High AcceptabilitySexually Transmitted Diseases, 2011
- Would Gay Men Change Their Sexual Behavior to Reduce Syphilis Rates?Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 2011
- Use of a Computer Alert Increases Detection of Early, Asymptomatic Syphilis Among Higher-Risk Men Who Have Sex With MenClinical Infectious Diseases, 2011
- Anorectal syphilis mimicking Crohn’s diseaseJournal of Infection and Chemotherapy, 2011
- SyphilisPublished by Elsevier BV ,2010
- Qualitative description – the poor cousin of health research?BMC Medical Research Methodology, 2009