NEWS & RESOURCES

HIV diagnoses in Australia remained low in 2022: new data. Kirby Institute. Despite disruptions to testing and risk behaviour during COVID-19, the latest data released from UNSW Sydney’s Kirby Institute shows Australia is tracking well towards the elimination of HIV transmission. Read more in this media release. 

International Overdose Awareness Day. Recognised annually on 31 August, International Overdose Awareness Day aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce stigma associated with a drug-related death. A remembrance morning tea will be held on Thursday, 31 August, 11:00am at Royal Park Hall, 180 Charles Street, West Perth. RSVP to dianelloyd@harmreductionwa.org by 25 August.

Guideline update: Quick guide to STI and BBV management. WA Department of Health. WA Health’s recommendations for Chlamydia treatment, and anorectal infection in the Silver book and Quick Reference to STI Management have been updated to ensure consistency with current ASHM treatment guidelines.

Release of the Viral Hepatitis Mapping Project: National Report 2021, Hepatitis B. ASHM, WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis, Doherty Institute. Published 2023, the Report contains estimates of chronic hepatitis B prevalence, treatment and management at a state and territory, Primary Health Network, and Statistical Area 3 level. This report also includes data regarding liver cancer incidence and screening uptake. 

Sexual Health Quarters Strategic Plan. Sexual Health Quarters are developing the next iteration of their Strategic Plan, and are seeking input from anyone who has used their services including their clinic, counseling, education and training services. Please take a moment to complete this short, confidential, and anonymous survey.

WA Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Strategy Development. The WA Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program seeks to co-design the next iteration with key stakeholders and publish the strategy by early 2024. In addition to face-to-face co-design workshops, an online survey will be available during August and September. The same questions are covered in the online survey and face-to-face co-design workshops. You may contribute to one or both. Please share this link with your networks.

CONFERENCES

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

aes2023 International Evaluation Conference. Australian Evaluation Society. The Conference brings together professionals and the community for a program of practical workshops and presentations on the latest in evaluation theories and methods, practices, and tools. Abstract submissions are closed. 25-29 September. Brisbane. 

INHSU 2023. International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users 2023. The Conference will feature sessions on hepatitis C and other infectious diseases, harm reduction, and drug policy, with tracks on epidemiology and public health research, clinical research, and more. Abstract submissions are closed. 17-20 October. Geneva, Switzerland.

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, through presentations and practical workshops. 27 October. Perth and online.

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.

Boundary setting and protective behaviours. SECCA. This workshop introduces two fundamental messages of protective behaviours and strategies to support teaching them. This workshop is for parents, carers, students, teachers, and health professionals. 17 August. West Perth. 

Nuts and bolts of sexual health. Sexual Health Quarters. This 3-day course develops core knowledge, attitudes and skills required to provide information and support for young people around respectful relationships and sexual health issues. 29-31 August. Northbridge. 

Acknowledging Country. Health Consumers Council. This workshop is designed to support participants to think about, design, and confidently deliver a meaningful Acknowledgment of Country. 6 September. Online. 

YEP Project visits the Wheatbelt. The Youth Educating Peers (YEP) Project is seeking expressions of interest from those in the Wheatbelt region who are interested in attending professional development for working with youth around sexual health topics. Please complete the EOI form to register your interest. 19-21 September. Wheatbelt region. 

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

The Gilead Australia Fellowship Research Grants Program. Gilead Australia. Grant applications of up to $60,000 are open to researchers with projects focused on improving patient outcomes or disease-specific research within the areas of HIV, chronic hepatitis, and more. Applications close on 18 August. Click here for more information.

Health Workforce Scholarship Program. Rural Health West. Scholarships and bursaries are available to help health professionals in rural and remote Australia to retain and enhance their skills, capacity, and scope of practice. Applications for the next Scholarship round will open on 1 September 2023. Click here for more information.