NEWS & RESOURCES

National investment in HIV, hepatitis and STIs. Health Equity Matters. On 9 May, the Federal Government announced a $19.7m investment in HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) in the 2023-24 Budget. The government is delivering this funding to ensure better access to HIV testing, treatment, and information, including support for the HIV workforce and to continue to address other Blood Borne Viruses (BBV) and STIs. Read the analysis. 

National Hepatitis Strategies available for public consultation. Department of Health and Aged Care. The draft National Hepatitis B Strategy 2023-2030 and National Hepatitis C Strategy 2023-2030 have been released for public consultation. The consultation closes on 28 June. 

WA Syphilis Outbreak Response Action Plan 2023-2025. Department of Health, WA. Western Australian Syphilis Outbreak Response Action Plan 2023–2025 has been developed to guide the priorities and activities of the Western Australian Syphilis Outbreak Response Group across the state.

Monitoring HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) update in Australia. Kirby Institute. This report uses data from every Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme-subsidised PrEP prescription that was dispensed in Australia between 1 April 2018 and 31 December 2022. This report aims to monitor the landscape of PrEP in Australia. 

Seeking community members to participate in yarns. Healthy Blood Healthy Body Project. Curtin University researchers are seeking Aboriginal community members, Elders, and needle and syringe program (NSP) consumers to participate in yarns to develop campaign messages for the Healthy Blood Healthy Body Project, which aims to improve access to NSPs for Aboriginal people who inject drugs. Contact nsp@curtin.edu.au or Dr. Linda Portsmouth for more information or to participate.

LGBTQIA+ youth for mental health services research. Curtin University researchers are seeking LGBTQIA+ youth aged between 12-25, who live in regional/remote WA and have had experiences with mental health services within the past 12 months to participate in research to help inform how services can be improved in the future. All research will be kept confidential and an e-gift card will be given in gratitude for their time. Contact Bruce or learn more about the project here.

PUBLICATIONS

Development and evaluation of health education resources for culturally and linguistically diverse populations: A systematic review. Gray et al., 2023. This article explores how health education resources can positively impact the health outcomes of people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) backgrounds in Australia. 

The application of systems thinking to the prevention and control of sexually transmissible infections among adolescents and adults: a scoping review. Vujcich et al., 2023. This study explores literature in which systems thinking has been applied to the prevention and control of sexually transmissible infections among adolescent and adult populations.

A web-based audio computer-assisted self-interview application with illustrated pictures to administer a hepatitis B survey among a Myanmar-born community in Perth, Western Australia: Development and user acceptance study. Phoo et al., 2023. This article explores the development and user acceptance of an audio computer-assisted self-interview (ACASI) as an alternative mode of survey administration to overcome literacy and privacy issues among a Myanmar-born community in Perth, Western Australia.

CONFERENCES

HIV Coinfection + VH Elimination. ASHM. This Conference will explore and share innovative strategies and approaches that can be utilised to advance the STI/BBV field and ensure progress continues towards the global elimination of hepatitis C and hepatitis B. Abstract submissions are closed. Brisbane. 21-22 July.

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. Abstract submissions are closed. Brisbane. 23-26 July.

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

Growing and Developing Healthy Relationships Symposium. Curtin University Relationships and Sexuality Education Project. The Symposium will showcase recent developments in school-based relationships and sexuality education. Perth and online. 27 October. 

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. 

HIV treatment forum. WAAC. This forum aims to provide the latest information on HIV treatments, trends in HIV diagnosis, how to better support people living with HIV, and opportunities to ask questions to a panel of experts. 26 June. Location to be announced. 

Nuts and bolts of sexual health. Sexual Health Quarters. This course is for anyone who works with young people. The course develops the core knowledge, attitudes, and skills required to provide information and support for young people around respectful relationships and sexual health issues. 26-28 June. Northbridge. 

Monkeypox, syphilis and STIs. Monash University. This interactive webinar will involve a brief lecture on monkeypox and syphilis followed by case-based discussions with a panel. 27 June. Online. 

Equitable access to treatment for people with HIV in Western Australia. ASHM. This webinar will provide healthcare workers with guidance on the new Federation Funding Agreement model scheme in WA. The scheme came into effect in WA on May 12 and offers free or affordable access to antiretroviral treatment for those without access to Medicare. 28 June. Online.

Spotlight on a universal precautions approach to stigma reduction. UNSW Centre for Social Research in Health. This webinar will focus on a universal precautions approach to stigma reduction, and how this can broaden our understanding of stigma beyond interpersonal interactions. 30 June. Online.

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

Health Promotion Short Course: Planning, implementing and evaluating health promotion interventions. Curtin University. This course is designed to build skills in evaluating and implementing health promotion interventions and is suitable for those already working in the health sector or those wishing to integrate health promotion principles into their field of work. Enrolments close on 17 July. 14 August-12 November. Online. 

SECCA open day. SECCA's open day is an opportunity to learn more about how SECCA supports people with disabilities to learn about relationships, sexuality, and sexual health. The morning will consist of a variety of presentations for families and carers. After network opportunities at lunch, there will be presentations for health professionals. 12 July. West Perth.

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. Sexual Health Quarters. 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