NEWS & RESOURCES

Senate inquiry into universal access to reproductive health. WA sexual health and blood-borne virus sector representatives were invited to speak at a Senate Inquiry hearing regarding universal access to reproductive healthcare. Organisations represented included CoPAHM, the Youth Educating Peers Project, SECCA, Bloom-Ed, Sexual Health Quarters, Department of Health Women and Newborn Health Service, Transfolk of WA, and ISHAR. Organisations provided evidence to support a more harmonised approach to reproductive health policy, with a focus on accessible contraception, sexual health education, counselling and culturally appropriate services. The Hearing transcript can be accessed here. 

Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2022. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the current health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including an update on key indicators of health including sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and blood-borne viruses (BBVs) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Access the report here.

In Our Blood.  ABC. This four episode series accessible on ABC iView depicts a dramatised story of the HIV epidemic in 1980s Australia and the community response. Watch the series here. 

State Library of WA collecting LGBTQIA+ oral histories. The State Library of WA is collecting LGBTQIA+ oral histories and submissions, including those of activists who fought to overcome HIV related stigma and marginalisation in an effort to diversify the colonial collections of the library and to keep a record of Western Australia's LGBTQIA+ history. Read more here. 

Safer Options From Aggression (SOFA) Project participation call out. How can WA services better support LGBTQIA+ people who experience intimate partner violence? If you are LGBTQIA+ and 18+ years, or a primary care provider, and would like to share your opinions, please follow this link to participate in this research being conducted by Curtin University.

Western Australian survey of secondary students and sexual health. Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society. This report presents findings from Western Australia on young people’s sexuality, sexual and relationship experiences, condom use, STI testing, and experiences of relationships and sexuality education from the seventh iteration of the National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health. Access the report here.

PUBLICATIONS

"Maybe it's an Indo thing": Transnational health experiences of Indonesian women living in Australia. Gray et al., 2023. This article explores how transnationalism influences health seeking behaviour among Indonesian women living in Perth, Western Australia. Read the full article here. 

HIV-Related knowledge and practices among asian and african migrants living in Australia: results from a cross-sectional survey and qualitative study. Vujcich et al., 2023. This article presents findings from the Migrant Blood-Borne Virus and Sexual Health Survey, with regards to HIV-related knowledge and practices among Asian and African migrants living in Australia. Read the full article here. 

Support for school-based relationships and sexual health education: a national survey of Australian parents. Hendriks et al., 2023. This study examined the attitudes towards school-based relationships and sexuality education among a national sample of parents (or caregivers) of school-aged children across Australia. Read the full article here.

CONFERENCES

WANADA Aboriginal Alcohol and other Drug Worker Forum. Western Australian Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (WANADA). This forum aims to strengthen and develop culturally responsive approaches to addressing alcohol and other drug related harms, allowing workers and community members to share and learn about service models and programs, to build professional networks, to discuss common issues, and to plan action that will have a positive impact in communities throughout WA. Abstract submissions are closed. Perth. May 18-19.

fair.ground. Conference. Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA). This conference will focus on strengthening the capacity and energy of the youth sector and continuing to champion social inclusion to develop fair ground for young people across Western Australia. Abstract submissions are closed. Perth. June 8-9.

HIV Coinfection + VH Elimination. ASHM. This conference will focus on exploring and sharing innovative strategies and approaches that can be utilised to advance the field and ensure progress towards global elimination of hepatitis C and B. Brisbane. Abstract submissions are closed. July 21-22.

12th IAS Conference on HIV Science. International AIDS Society. This biennial conference presents the critical advances in basic, clinical and operational HIV research that move science into policy and practice. Late breaker abstract submissions open April 20. Brisbane. July 23-26.

Australasian Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference. ASHM. This conference provides an educational & networking forum for those working or interested in the sexual, and reproductive health sectors, showcasing current research, clinical management, prevention, best practice healthcare, health promotion and policy and rights. Abstract submissions close May 7. Sydney. September 18-20.

TRAINING & SEMINARS

SiREN Short Courses. The SiREN Short Courses are free online training modules designed to support those working in the WA SHBBV sector. Available on-demand, these modules will build your capabilities in health promotion planning and evaluation. Each course contains a series of modules with videos, readings and activities enabling you to apply the concepts to a topic relevant to your work. Experienced staff will join you on your learning journey. The training is open to those working in WA only. Click here to enrol. 

Stigma: An unintended consequence of targeted PrEP social marketing. Kirby Institute. This workshop will discuss the findings from a mixed methods study exploring Black sexual minority men's response to targeted PrEP advertisements and explore how social marketing initiatives can inadvertently reinforce stigma. April 18. Online.

Spotlight on a total facility approach to HIV-related stigma reduction. Centre for Social Research in Health. This seminar will focus on a total facility approach to HIV-related stigma reduction. The seminar will hear from international researchers who have been implementing this total facility approach, most recently in health care settings, and share lessons learned and insights on how this approach might be adapted to address stigma targeted at other conditions and identities. April 27. Online.

Breaking down the barriers of HIV in multicultural communities. Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health. This online workforce development forum is for workers in the health community sector. The webinar will teach participants about the myths and stigma associated with HIV/AIDS within multicultural communities, the best way to start conversations around HIV/AIDS, and what are the best referral pathways for people from refugee and migrant backgrounds. April 27. Online.

Yarns between young LGBTQ+ Aboriginal people and Elder Noongars for TikTok videos. Wungening Aboriginal Corporation. Part of the Wungening's Dabakarn Kadadjiny (slow steady learning) Research-to-Practice Seminar Series, this presentation will discuss research regarding yarning in the development of Tik Tok videos with young LGBTQ+ Aboriginal people and Elder Noongars for TikTok videos. April 28. Online. 

Certificate in sexual and reproductive health (nursing). Sexual Health Quarters (SHQ). This course is for nurses and midwives wishing to develop detailed knowledge and specialist clinical skills in sexual and reproductive health. May 2-5. Northbridge.

Nuts and bolts of sexual health. SHQ. This course is designed for youth workers and those working in the youth sector. The course develops core knowledge, attitudes and skills required to provide information and support for young people around respectful relationships and sexual health issues. May 23-25. Northbridge.

Introduction to evaluation: core concepts and methods. Australian Evaluation Society. This workshop is aimed at those who are new or intermediate in the evaluation field. Its purpose is to outline the key concepts, terms and approaches for conducting or commissioning evaluation projects. Register by April 28. May 2 & 5. Online. 

Hepatitis B prescriber update and case discussion. Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM). This interactive training session provides HBV prescribers an opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to practical case studies spanning diagnosis to treatment initiation and ongoing monitoring. May 10. Online.

Curing hepatitis C in primary care. ASHM. This course aims to provide general practitioners, nurse practitioners and other prescribing practitioners with the skills and confidence to diagnose, assess, manage, and treat hepatitis C in primary care. May 13. Online.

Hepatitis B for nurses and midwives WA. ASHM. This course will provide Nursing an Midwifery Professionals with advances practical skills and knowledge in hepatitis B nursing. May 23. Online. 

ACT NOW on global HIV migration, mobility and health equity: IAS 2023 Forum. National Association of People with HIV. This forum will explore global health equity, human rights, & policy frameworks facing people living with HIV regarding migration/mobility. July 22. Online. 

WAAC hump day health. WAAC. These sessions provide the workforce with valuable updates on HIV and current treatments, health promotion messaging and how to address stigma and discrimination in sexual health provision. To book in, email Erika Shaw (eshaw@waac.com.au). Sessions occur on the second Wednesday of every month.

Introduction to syphilis for midwives: Western Australia. ASHM. This course is for Western Australian midwives to develop their skills to confidently discuss sexual health with patients, conduct guideline-based syphilis screening and testing, identify health pathways of pregnancy in syphilis, and initiate contact tracing. The training can be accessed anytime on the ASHM Online Learning System by searching 'Syphilis for Midwives' in the course catalogue. An ASHM login is required.

STIs In WA primary care. SHQ. This course provides primary health care professionals with comprehensive education about discussing STIs with patients, and testing for and managing STIs. It includes public health responsibilities and legal issues and recommends useful online resources for ongoing use. Access anytime. Online.

Syphilis outbreak training. ASHM. Professional development training is available for health practitioners affected by the ongoing outbreak of infectious syphilis among young Aboriginal people in regions of Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia.  An ASHM login is required.

GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS

• Models of care for sexuality and gender diverse people and people with innate variations of sex characteristics. (Application deadline 23 August 2023).
• Consumer-led research. (Application deadline 14 June 2023).