SiREN Symposium 2018 Updates: The preliminary program has been published on the SiREN Symposium website, and it's jam-packed full of content.  More program updates will follow in the next few weeks.

Symposium satellite event: An "after-school seminar" satellite event is being presented by the Relationships and Sexuality Education Project. This free event is aimed at teachers and anyone delivering sexuality and relationships education within schools and to young people. This event will be held from 4:30-6:00pm at the same venue as the Symposium, so any SiREN Symposium attendees can register for free attend the seminar at the close of Symposium proceedings. Please see the Eventbrite page for more information and to register.

Symposium registrations are filling fast, prices are as follows:

  • Full-time student/unwaged registration: $60
  • Full registration: $150

To register, keep up with more program updates and other Symposium information please visit https://siren.org.au/2018-symposium/. 

NEWS AND RESOURCES

Presenting at conferences: SiREN has prepared a video resource to support you to prepare a memorable conference presentation. This video steps you through how to shape your presentation, how to prepare for questions from your audience and provides you with three key elements of effective presentations. This presentation will be helpful for those who haven’t presented at many conferences before, as well as experienced presenters in need of a refresher. Watch the video here.

SiREN case studies: SiREN is developing case study videos to share lessons learned from WA sexual health and blood-borne virus projects. Check out our first one here where we chat with Corie Gray and Victoria Sande about their research exploring barriers to HIV testing among people born in sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia. If you have a project that you’d like to share through a case study video, please get in touch with the SiREN team.

PrEP fact sheet: Together with ASHM, AFAO have released a PrEP fact sheet which explains what PrEP access means through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. The fact sheet can be downloaded here.

ALL GOOD: ASHM have recently launched the ALL GOOD website. Targeting people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the website provides key information, tools, and referral pathways for testing and treatment of BBVs and STIs.

New resources: ASHM have released a number of resources, including a decision making tool for prescribing PrEP, a fact sheet regarding immigration and hepatitis B, and an online learning module for managing patients on PrEP.

U=U audio recording: The Institute of Many have released the audio recording from their recent Undetectable = Untransmittable community event. Speakers include: Bruce Richman, Founder of Prevention Access Campaign; Christabel Millar, Living Positive Victoria; Associate Professor Edwina Wright, Alfred Health; and Davey Thompson, The Institute of Many.

HIV and hepatitis co-infection booklet: This booklet targets people living with HIV who are interested in learning more about hepatitis, how to avoid the viruses, and how to treat or manage them.

SHQ consumer engagement group: SHQ is trialling a new Facebook group to allow interested consumers to have a say in the design, delivery, evaluation and improvement of their services and resources. If you are interested in joining, please visit the group here.

Update: Australian STI management guidelines for use in primary care: Following the latest critical review, the guidelines have been updated and are available on the Guidelines website. The major changes proposed are to mycoplasma genitalium, cervicitis, urethritis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and anorectal syndromes.

TEDTalk: Emotionally safer sex: In this talk, artist and community development consultant, Sarah K Reece shares personal stories, beautiful artwork, and practical advice about how seeking to make sex emotionally safer has helped her navigate challenges such as a trauma history, anxiety, queer identity, mental illness, chronic pain, and physical disability. The video is available for viewing on YouTube.

Resource kit: Young people and sexual health: The NSW Government have released a 3-part toolkit consisting of tools, fact sheets, activities, and protocols for working with young people around sexual health. To access the kit, please click here.

TRAINING

Check Yo Self: Values  and attitudes workshop: This free workshop is designed to encourage participants to assess how their values and attitudes influence their interactions with others, particularly in regards to youth sexual health. Led by the Youth Educating Peers (YEP) Project, the workshop will be held on April 20. Please visit the event website to register.

PrEP: Prescribing in the community setting: A live webinar will be held on 26 April to provide GPs and primary care practitioners with an update of PrEP and how it may be prescribed in the community. Click here to register.

Evaluation in health promotion webinar: The Health Promotion Practitioners Network (HPPN) are hosting a webinar on April 30. This is the first in a series addressing evaluation in health promotion and will be presented by Dr Jen Hester, Diabetes Victoria. Click here to register for the free event. The HPPN website also hosts webinars around the use of social media in health promotion and evaluation of social media. These webinars are available for viewing here.

Mooditj leader training: Hosted by SHQ from 5 - 8 June, Mooditj Leader Training will build your knowledge, skills and confidence to run the fun and interactive Mooditj program for young people in your community. To register, please visit the SHQ website.

Nuts and bolts of sexual health: Consisting of one core day and two full day electives, this program offers the core knowledge, attitudes, and skills required to provide respectful relationships and sexual health information and support to young people. Nuts and Bolts will be held on 17 - 19 July. To register, please visit the SHQ website.

Human-centred design: Human-centred design is an innovative processes which seeks to create solutions to real-world challenges. Free online training courses and resources are available on the Stanford University, Ideo, and +Acumen websites.

CONFERENCES AND EVENTS

Abstracts closing soon: Australasian HIV & AIDS Conference: Abstract submissions for ASHM's annual conference close 29 April. Early bird registrations are now open and will close on 5 August. For more information, please visit the conference website.

10th Annual Spotlight on Hepatitis B: Leadership towards elimination: Hosted by the Victorian Hepatitis B Alliance at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (University of Melbourne & Melbourne Health), this forum will provide opportunity to share insights and experiences of hepatitis B projects. Abstract submissions and travel grant applications are now open. For more information, please visit the forum's website.

Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council's National Conference: Abstract submissions are now open for the Australian GLBTIQ Council's National Conference, to be held on 21-23 September in Melbourne, Victoria. Submissions should address the conference theme 'living and loving in diversity'. More information is available on the conference website.

Base Camp aGender: Base Camp aGender is a monthly drop-in space for trans and gender diverse young people who are experiencing homelessness and disconnect from family. Base Camp aGender is run by trans and gender diverse peers who are experienced and qualified support workers, who aim to support trans and gender diverse young people’s safety, wellbeing, resilience and connectedness to communities and homelessness services. Open Saturdays once a month – contact info@picys.org.au 9388 2791 for details.

GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Event scholarship: The Public Health Association of Australia (WA Branch) is pleased to offer two scholarships to attend the Australian Public Health Conference to be held in Cairns from Wednesday 26 to Friday 28 September 2018. Applicants must be from an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background, be a current student or trainee in a relevant public health field and have a strong interest in public health. For more detail and application process contact phaawabranch@gmail.com.