Difference between revisions of "High Risk Sexual Behaviour"

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==Acceptability at CT / Work-Up==
 
==Acceptability at CT / Work-Up==
QUALIFIED
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QUALIFIED - A TEMPORARY DEFERRAL MAY APPLY (SEE BELOW)
  
 
==Individual at Risk==
 
==Individual at Risk==
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High-risk sexual behaviour is that which puts the donor at risk of infectious diseases which may then be transmitted to the recipient/patient. This risk occurs because the donor themselves currently participate in high-risk behaviour, or currently have sex with someone from a high-risk background. Importantly we rely on donors to assess their own individual risk.
 
High-risk sexual behaviour is that which puts the donor at risk of infectious diseases which may then be transmitted to the recipient/patient. This risk occurs because the donor themselves currently participate in high-risk behaviour, or currently have sex with someone from a high-risk background. Importantly we rely on donors to assess their own individual risk.
  
The aim is to reduce the risk of 'window period' transmissions, where a donor is infected with (for example) HIV, but the infection is too recent to be picked up by our screening tests and the infection is passed to the patient. For this reason, donors who have participated in high risk sexual behaviour say over one year ago, but do not do so currently, should be allowed to donate.
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The aim is to reduce the risk of 'window period' transmissions, where a donor is infected with (for example) HIV, but the infection is too recent to be picked up by our screening tests and the infection is passed to the patient.  
  
There is no strict definition of what high-risk behaviour/background is, but it would include those who have unprotected vaginal or anal sex with multiple partners (with a higher risk in men who have sex with men, or MSM), those who pay (or are paid) for sex, those from an geographical area with a very high prevalence of HIV and those with other sexually transmitted diseases.
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==Guidance at VT/WORK-UP==
  
Unprotected sex within a monogamous relationship is not necessarily seen as high-risk behaviour, regardless of whether it is a same-sex relationship.
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The following behaviours are classified as high-risk sexual activities which typically require a deferral period (unless an exception is granted by the MO and TC):
  
==Guidance at RECRUITMENT==
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* A donor who has had sex for money or drugs --> defer for 3 months.
  
UNACCEPTABLE
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* A donor who has had a new sexual partner in the last 3 months <b>and</b> anal intercourse occurred --> defer for 3 months. A donor is eligible to donate 3 months after first sexual contact with one exclusive partner, even if anal sex occurs.
  
==Guidance at VT/WORK-UP==
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* A donor who has had multiple sexual partners in the last 3 months --> defer for 3 months if the donor has had multiple sexual partners <b>and</b> they have had anal intercourse with any of these partners.
  
TEMPORARY DEFERRAL
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* A donor who has taken oral or injectable PrEP/PEP --> See [[PrEP/PEP]]
  
A man who has had oral or anal sex with another man (with or without condom) --> defer for 3 months
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* A donor who has participated in chemsex (including the use of stimulant drugs such as methamphetamine, mephedrone, or GHB/GBL) --> defer for 3 months.
  
Someone who has had sex for money or drugs --> defer for 3 months  
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* A donor who has been diagnosed with gonorrhoea --> defer for 3 months after completing successful treatment and follow-up. A test confirming the elimination of the infection is required. This may be a verbal report of the result from the donor.
  
Sex with a high risk partner --> defer for 3 months  
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* A donor who has had sexual contact with a high-risk sexual partner -- > defer for 3 months if the donor has had sexual contact with a partner who is known or suspected:
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** To be a hepatitis B or hepatitis C carrier.
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** To be HIV or HTLV positive.
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** To have ever received payment or drugs in exchange for sex.
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** To have ever used intravenous drugs of abuse (e.g. heroin, cocaine).
  
Sex with a partner who has been sexually active in areas where HIV is common --> defer for 3 months
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These deferral periods apply even if the donor has used a condom, though the use of a condom may factor into a TC decision on whether to defer the donation.
  
==Justification for guidance==
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For the purposes of donor selection, a new partner is someone that a donor has not had sex with before, or a previous partner with whom they have restarted a sexual relationship in the last 3 months.
  
With use of modern screening techniques, the risk of unintended transmission of an infectious disease is very small. Stem cell donors undergo in-depth medical and sexual health questionnaires, and will have a face-to-face interview with donor centre staff, allowing ample oppotunity to identify those donors at increased risk of contracting a window-period infection.
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Deferral periods may be shortened based on individualised risk assessments if the urgency of transplantation outweighs the infectious disease risk. Such decisions should be made collaboratively by the Medical Officer and the Transplant Centre, with a concessionary release form completed if proceeding.
  
In many cases, the benefit to the recipient of receiving a donation with vastly outweigh the risk of transmission of an infectious agent.
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==Justification for guidance==
  
For these reasons, the employment of fixed deferral periods for certain groups deemed to be at a higher risk of developing window period infection, particularly men who have had sex with men, is not recommended.
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These guidelines are based on the FAIR III report (2022) and are designed to ensure safety while accommodating an individualised approach to donor selection.
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Chemsex is considered high risk as it is more likely to involve multiple sexual partners, prolonged sexual activity, and an increased likelihood of risky behaviour.
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Deferral periods apply with the use of PrEP as the medication can decrease the accuracy of HIV testing.
  
 
==Version==
 
==Version==
Version 1, Edition 3
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Version 2
  
 
====Date of Last Update====
 
====Date of Last Update====
1 June 2016
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19th December 2024

Latest revision as of 17:25, 19 December 2024

Acceptability at Recruitment

QUALIFIED

Acceptability at CT / Work-Up

QUALIFIED - A TEMPORARY DEFERRAL MAY APPLY (SEE BELOW)

Individual at Risk

Recipient

Explanation of Condition

High-risk sexual behaviour is that which puts the donor at risk of infectious diseases which may then be transmitted to the recipient/patient. This risk occurs because the donor themselves currently participate in high-risk behaviour, or currently have sex with someone from a high-risk background. Importantly we rely on donors to assess their own individual risk.

The aim is to reduce the risk of 'window period' transmissions, where a donor is infected with (for example) HIV, but the infection is too recent to be picked up by our screening tests and the infection is passed to the patient.

Guidance at VT/WORK-UP

The following behaviours are classified as high-risk sexual activities which typically require a deferral period (unless an exception is granted by the MO and TC):

  • A donor who has had sex for money or drugs --> defer for 3 months.
  • A donor who has had a new sexual partner in the last 3 months and anal intercourse occurred --> defer for 3 months. A donor is eligible to donate 3 months after first sexual contact with one exclusive partner, even if anal sex occurs.
  • A donor who has had multiple sexual partners in the last 3 months --> defer for 3 months if the donor has had multiple sexual partners and they have had anal intercourse with any of these partners.
  • A donor who has taken oral or injectable PrEP/PEP --> See PrEP/PEP
  • A donor who has participated in chemsex (including the use of stimulant drugs such as methamphetamine, mephedrone, or GHB/GBL) --> defer for 3 months.
  • A donor who has been diagnosed with gonorrhoea --> defer for 3 months after completing successful treatment and follow-up. A test confirming the elimination of the infection is required. This may be a verbal report of the result from the donor.
  • A donor who has had sexual contact with a high-risk sexual partner -- > defer for 3 months if the donor has had sexual contact with a partner who is known or suspected:
    • To be a hepatitis B or hepatitis C carrier.
    • To be HIV or HTLV positive.
    • To have ever received payment or drugs in exchange for sex.
    • To have ever used intravenous drugs of abuse (e.g. heroin, cocaine).

These deferral periods apply even if the donor has used a condom, though the use of a condom may factor into a TC decision on whether to defer the donation.

For the purposes of donor selection, a new partner is someone that a donor has not had sex with before, or a previous partner with whom they have restarted a sexual relationship in the last 3 months.

Deferral periods may be shortened based on individualised risk assessments if the urgency of transplantation outweighs the infectious disease risk. Such decisions should be made collaboratively by the Medical Officer and the Transplant Centre, with a concessionary release form completed if proceeding.

Justification for guidance

These guidelines are based on the FAIR III report (2022) and are designed to ensure safety while accommodating an individualised approach to donor selection. Chemsex is considered high risk as it is more likely to involve multiple sexual partners, prolonged sexual activity, and an increased likelihood of risky behaviour. Deferral periods apply with the use of PrEP as the medication can decrease the accuracy of HIV testing.

Version

Version 2

Date of Last Update

19th December 2024