This study is one of the first to correlate biological STD results to online sexual partnering data in a youth population. Although meeting a sex partner online was not associated with past or current STDs, it was associated with other sexual risk behaviors. Future research is needed to examine the complex nature of online sexual partnering among adolescents and to develop intervention approaches.

This study examined teens' digital device ownership, online activities, and usage/frequency of communication modalities. Teens with a current sexually transmitted disease were more likely to report willingness to use a text messaging service to have sexual health questions answered. Next-generation sexually transmitted disease prevention initiatives must use newer communication technologies to maximize effectiveness.

for young women over 19 years of age who have aged out of the Vaccines for Children entitlement program. The objectives of this study were to assess a sample of minority women who attend neighbourhood health centers to determine predictors of vaccination, and to assess for the presence of HPV infection in these women. Those without evidence of prior HPV infection may benefit from a prophylactic vaccine. Methods Between April 2009 and April 2010, we enrolled a convenience sample of 100 African American and 100 Latina women who completed a computer-assisted personal interview. Participants were queried regarding: demographics, risk for sexually transmitted infections including drug or alcohol use, HPV vaccine willingness, knowledge, attitudes and beliefs, and vaccination status. Frequencies were calculated using SAS, version 9.2. Self-collected vaginal swab samples from 118 participants were tested for HPV using line probe assay. Results Participants were poor with 113 (57%) having a household income of <$20 000; and at risk for HPV infection. One hundred twenty-one (61%) did not use condom at last sex. However, only 17/ 118 (14%) were positive for any HPV. Predictors of vaccination could not be determined because there was not sufficient outcome response variation. A vast majority 161 (80%) of participants had not received HPV vaccination, though a most 136 (68%) reported willingness. Conclusions Three years after vaccine approval, the majority in a sample of vulnerable women had not been vaccinated despite their willingness. Public health campaigns have been successful at raising awareness and making vaccine acceptable, but may be less successful at providing the vaccine to vulnerable women. Strategies should focus on delivering vaccine to African American and Latina women in order to decrease cervical cancer disparities.

IntroductionLittle is known about partner characteristics or rates of STIs among African American women who have sex with women (AAWSW). Methods African American women aged ≥ 16 years attending a Health Department STD clinic were enrolled in this ongoing study if they reported sexual activity with a female partner during the preceding year. Participants completed a study questionnaire and were tested for curable (trichomoniasis, Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis) and non-curable (HSV-2, HIV) STIs. Results Of 128 participants reporting female partners during the preceding year, 52% (67/128) also reported sex with men during the same interval (WSWM). WSW and WSWM did not differ with regards to age, lifetime number of female partners, or number of female partners during the preceding year. WSWM reported increased numbers of lifetime male partners compared to WSW (p = 0.01). During the 30 days preceding enrollment, WSWM reported a median of 2 sexual partners (interquartile (IQR) range 0-4) while WSW reported a median of 1 sexual partner (IQR 0-2). WSWM were significantly more likely than WSW to report new or casual female partners within 30 days preceding enrollment (46% vs. 28%; p = 0.03) while WSW were more likely to report regular female partners (75% vs. 34%; p = 0.01). Additionally, 39% (26/67) of WSWM reported new or casual male partners within 30 days preceding enrollment. Although not statistically significant, diagnosis of all curable STIs (trichomoniasis, Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis) was more common among WSWM than WSW (30% vs. 16%; p = 0.07). Similarly, seropositivity for HIV and HSV-2 was more than twice as common among WSWM as WSW. Conclusions AAWSW in this study were at high risk for STIs. AAWSWM, as a subgroup, may demonstrate heightened STI rates compared to exclusive AAWSW, perhaps influenced by partnership characteristics. Sexual health services for AAWSW should take into account partner gender heterogeneity when screening for STIs. Background Recombination plays a significant role in the plasticity of the Neisseria gonorrhoeae genome by generating antigenic diversity and as a mechanism of spread of antibiotic resistance elements.