BackgroundSexual health is one of the key dimensions of health across all ages. Understanding risky sexual behaviors remains an important area of public health research. This study aimed to explore sexual health, risky sexual behaviors and factors associated with recent condom use as condom use is considered a main intervention proven to reduce negative health consequences of risky sexual behaviors, specifically related to sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. A stratified two-stage cluster sampling technique survey was conducted in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Information was obtained about age of first sexual intercourse, sexual activity, condom use, number of partners and history of drug/alcohol use prior to sexual activities within the past 3 months. A weighted analysis was performed to account for data clustering.ResultsIt is estimated that most men (93%) and women (86%) in Chiang Mai have engaged in sexual intercourse. More than 70% of the people in Chiang Mai over age 30 remained sexually active in the past 3 months, even for populations over age 50. Eight percent of male teenagers reported having more than one sexual partner in the past 3 months. Regular condom use was reported in less than 5% of the population (6.6% men and 3.1% women).ConclusionsOur study demonstrated that sexual health is an important public health issue across all age groups. Condom use has been promoted as one way to minimize and prevent unintended consequences of sexual behavior but overall use remains low.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-017-3055-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The cost of healthy food has been associated previously with the degree of remoteness and socioeconomic status.This study aimed to investigate the factors that influence the cost of food in rural Victoria, Australia. It also aimed to compare the cost of nutritious foods with less healthy foods, and to identify the population sub-groups most vulnerable to economic food insecurity. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of the cost of food was undertaken in 2007 in a convenience sample of 34 supermarkets in rural areas across Victoria using the Victorian Healthy Food Basket (VHFB). The VHFB was designed to meet the nutritional needs of four different family types for a fortnight. Results: The cost of the VHFB for a 'typical family' (2 adults, 2 children) was (mean [interquartile range]) $AU402.81 ($26.36).No association was evident between food cost and remoteness as indicated by the Accessibility/Remoteness Index for Australia (ARIA) score, socioeconomic status as indicated by the Socio-Economic Indices for Areas (SEIFA), population size or density, or distance of the town from the state capital, Melbourne. It was more expensive to purchase the VHFB at an independent store

Background: Current hepatitis C virus (HCV) counseling guidelines do not recommend that HCV-infected patients notify their partners or encourage them to get tested. We aimed to assess healthcare professionals' knowledge of and attitudes toward counseling and testing recommendations for HCV-infected patients.Methods: A 15-question, anonymous survey was designed and distributed via e-mail to a convenience sample of healthcare professionals who work with Brown University-or Boston University-affiliated hospitals to assess their knowledge of and attitudes toward counseling recommendations for HCV-infected patients. The data were collected electronically and analyzed using descriptive statistical methods.

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BackgroundCurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) counseling guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) do not recommend that HCV-infected-patients notify their partners or encourage them to get tested. Because there is a small but present risk of HCV acquisition through sex, sexual partners should be encouraged to receive HCV counseling and testing. We aimed to assess healthcare professionals’ knowledge of and attitudes toward current counseling and testing recommendations for HCV-infected patients.MethodsA 15-question, anonymous survey was designed and distributed to a convenience sample of healthcare providers (MDs, NPs, PAs) who work with Brown University or Boston University-affiliated hospitals. Questionnaires included demographic information as well as questions regarding providers’ current counseling practices and knowledge of current recommendations for HCV counseling. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the survey data.ResultsOf the 55 respondents (a 20% response rate), 73% believed that current CDC HCV testing guidelines already recommend partners of HCV-infected patients be tested for HCV infection. Furthermore, 80% of respondents believed recommendations should be revisited to explicitly include that HCV-infected patients encourage their partners to get tested. When counseling patients with HCV, 44% of respondents reported they always ask whether the patient’s partners have been tested for HCV and 42% reported they sometimes do. Similarly, 42% reported they always suggest that the HCV-infected patient’s partners be tested for HCV. If sufficient resources were available, 75% of respondents reported that they would support active partner notification for HCV during an HCV outbreak situation and 72% said they would support active partner notification in a non-outbreak situation where there is still high HCV incidence.ConclusionOur survey shows that healthcare providers believe that current HCV-counseling and testing recommendations could be revisited, with specific attention given to the promotion of HCV testing for partners of HCV-infected patients.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.