Australia signs on to global U=U declaration for HIV. ASHM. Australia has become the fourth country to sign on to the Multinational Undetectable = Untransmissable (U=U) Call-To-Action, marking a major milestone in the country’s response to HIV. Signing on to the Call-To-Action means embedding its nine strategies and U=U in the country’s HIV response. Read ASHM's media release here. 

 

 

Travel Campaign: New resources and training opportunities have been developed as part of WAAC's newest travel campaign. International travel poses an increased risk of HIV and STI acquisition, particularly when visiting regions where HIV and some STIs are endemic. This campaign aims to raise awareness of HIV prevention and testing for people travelling to high prevalence regions through the engagement of primary healthcare clinicians in Western Australia. WAAC has developed a new booklet - ‘Safe Travels’ - with the purpose of improving knowledge on the prevention of HIV when travelling overseas.

Gonorrhoea Campaign: In 2023, the gonorrhoea notification rate increased by 42% compared to 2022, with notifications among the 20 to 29 years age group increasing by 50%. Whilst testing and treatment options are widely available and effective, the often-asymptomatic nature of gonorrhoea infections may cause delay in diagnosis. This campaign aims to increase testing uptake and awareness of gonorrhoea in 20 to 29 year olds in Western Australia. WAAC has developed a suite of resources to accompany this campaign including:  

• Webpage on gonorrhoea and chlamydia.
• Instagram tiles (stories and feed posts).
• Tiktok posts.
• TikTok collaboration with influencer Tim Collins raising awareness of gonorrhoea.
• Podcast collaboration with Big Small Talk raising awareness of STIs and promoting testing.
• The WAAC Health Promotion team hosted a professional development webinar for healthcare providers across Western Australia. You can access the recording here.

New campaign by the Australian Government: 'Consent can't wait'. Australian Government. The Australian Government has developed a national campaign around understanding consent. This campaign highlights the importance of adults talking about and sharing their experiences about consent to raise these ideas and provide consent education to young people with confidence. 

Newest statement from the International Medical Advisory Panel (IMAP). IMAP have released their statement on person-centred care for sexually transmitted infections. This statement provides an update on the latest information on STIs. It provides practical recommendations for IPPF Member Associations on how to develop a comprehensive, people-centred approach to STI care, emphasising integrated services, adherence to guidelines, rights-based care, community engagement, advocacy, and a positive perspective on sexual health and well-being.

New Syphilis Posters and Campaign by SHINE SA. SHINE SA has launched a new campaign, ‘Get Lucky? Get Tested for Syphilis’ in response to rising cases of syphilis. The campaign aims to raise awareness of syphilis as well as to encourage South Australians to practice safer sex, get tested regularly and get treated. Access the campaign's new resources here. 

TRAINING & SEMINARS

SiREN Short Courses. The SiREN Short Courses are free online training modules designed to support those working in the Western Australian 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 Western Australia only. Click here to enrol.

Syphilis Lunch-n-Learn Video Conference. Government of Western Australia, Department of Health. The Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program is coordinating a series of videoconferences designed to provide current information and updates related to the outbreak of infectious syphilis in Western Australia. This session will present findings from an audit on the antenatal syphilis testing in the Midwest and the subsequent quality improvement changes occurring to improve antenatal syphilis testing. Contact Stephen on Stephen.Boccaletti@health.wa.gov.au to register. 21 June 2024, 12:00pm-1:00pm WAST. Online. 

Sexual harassment of LGBTQ young people in the workplace. Wellbeing, Heath & Youth. This webinar will explore the findings of an ANROWS-funded, world-first national mixed-methods research project with over 1,000 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning young people aged 14-30, exploring their perceptions and experiences of sexual harassment in the workplace. 25 June 2024, 1:00pm AEST, Online.

Teacher Training Session. Youth Pride Network is hosting a free information session for Western Australian based high school teachers and staff wanting to better support LGBTIQA+ students. This session will be an opportunity for teachers and school staff to learn more about the importance of building and maintaining an inclusive schooling environment, access additional resources and information, and connect with other allies and LGBTIQA+ staff and teachers. 11 July 2024. Melville Western Australia.

STARS. Sexual Health Quarters. STARS is a two day introductory course to help build knowledge and confidence to start talking about relationships and sexual health with young Aboriginal people. STARS is designed for Aboriginal community members and others working with young Aboriginal people. It is suitable for a wide range of workers and volunteers.​ 24-25 July 2024. Northbridge, Western Australia. 

Planning, implementing and evaluating health promotion interventions. Curtin University. The Curtin University Health Promotion short courses are suitable for those already working in the health sector (roles may include, but not limited to environmental health officers, public health planning, health educators – school and community, community health roles, community development, Aboriginal Health Workers), or those wanting to move into the area and those wanting to incorporate health promotion principles into their role. 12 August-17 November 2024. Online. 

Mooditj Leader Training. Sexual Health Quarters. Mooditj Leader Training is a three-day, hands on course to build the skills and confidence to run Mooditj groups for young people. Mooditj Leader Training is designed for Aboriginal community members or people who work with young Aboriginal people in their community. Non-Aboriginal people are expected to partner with an Aboriginal person to run Mooditj training together. 27-29 August 2024. Northbridge Western Australia. 

Introduction to Working with Trans and Gender Diverse People Online Course. SHINE SA. This online course has been developed to support people in their understanding of gender diversity. It will cover key concepts and terms related to gender diversity and provide an introduction to supporting trans and gender diverse people.  This online course is self-paced and takes approximately 2 hours to complete.

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 in pregnancy, 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.

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 the regions of Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia.  An ASHM login is required.