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E-News, Issue 58
| August 7, 2024 |NEWS & RESOURCES
New campaign to raise awareness of blood-borne viruses. Western Australia Department of Health. The WA Department of Health has launched an advertising campaign to raise awareness of blood-borne viruses (BBVs), and the importance of BBV prevention among Aboriginal people aged 16-39 years. The Look after your blood campaign was created in collaboration with Aboriginal health workers and leaders from regional and metropolitan areas, and community-based organisations. Interviews with Aboriginal people in Western Australia (WA) who have lived experience with hepatitis C and HIV also influenced the campaign's development.
World Hepatitis Day. World Hepatitis Day was observed on 28 July, and seeks to raise awareness of viral hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver that causes severe liver disease and cancer. This year’s theme was It’s time for action. Almost 300,000 people in Australia are living with hepatitis B or hepatitis C, putting them at increased risk of liver disease and liver cancer. See this year's campaign resources from World Hepatitis Day's website, the WHO and Hepatitis Queensland.
WHO prequalifies first self-test kit for Hepatitis C virus. World Health Organization. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that it has prequalified the first self-test for the hepatitis C virus (HCV), accelerating efforts towards elimination of the viral infection. The OraQuick HCV self-test is manufactured by OraSure Technologies and is an extension of the OraQuick® HCV Rapid Antibody Test which was initially prequalified by WHO in 2017 for professional use. The self-test version, specifically designed for use by lay users, provides individuals with a single kit containing the components that are needed to perform the self-test. Read the WHO's media release here.
SCIP Project Clinician Report Released.SiREN & Collaboration for Evidence, Research & Impact in Public Health (CERIPH). The SCIP study has released a new report that examines sexual health clinicians’ perspectives of barriers to, and enablers of, late latent syphilis treatment completion under the current three-dose benzathine penicillin G regimen; and training needs for healthcare providers and service resource implications associated with the potential introduction of a single-dose treatment regimen.
New free abortion and pregnancy options helpline 1800 4 Choice. Sexual Health Quarters. 1800 4 Choice is a free and confidential service providing support around pregnancy options and abortion care in WA. The independent, pro-choice helpline is staffed by experienced nurses available to provide information on:
- Medication/surgical abortion;
- Abortion laws;
- Pregnancy options counselling; and
- Abortion providers in WA.
Visit their website for more information
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.
SiREN Planning and Evaluation Face-to-Face Course. SiREN. This is a FREE in-person course designed specifically for those working in the WA SHBBV sector. This interactive two-day course will build participants' knowledge and skills in health promotion planning and evaluation. Staff with experience in planning and evaluation and SHBBVs will join you on your learning journey. Support will be offered to enable participants to apply learnings to their work after the course has finished. Please email siren@curtin.edu.au to register. 7-8 November 2024. Curtin University, Bentley Campus.
Hepatitis C Virus: Building the Care Capability of the Alcohol and Other Drug Sector.WANADA. This online information session of WANADA's Hepatitis C Care Capability Project has been tailored to suit those working in the alcohol and drug sector, those leading a team focused on person-centered care or those wanting to refresh their knowledge. 7 August 2024, 9:00am-11:00pm WAST. Online.
WA Culturally Responsive Care and Hepatitis B.ASHM. This webinar aims to help equip primary health practitioners and other healthcare workers with knowledge and strategies for providing culturally responsive chronic hepatitis B management and care to migrant and refugee patients. 22 August 2024. 6:00pm-8:00pm AWST. Online. An ASHM login is required.
Launch of Annual Report of Trends in Behaviour 2024.During this webinar, the UNSW Centre for Social Research in Health will be sharing research findings relating to HIV, STIs, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and stigma from their newly released Annual Report of Trends Behaviour 2024 Report. 27 August 2024, 1:00pm-2:00pm AWST, 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.
CONFERENCES
Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference. ASHM. The Australasian HIV&AIDS conference returns in 2024, bringing the latest state-of-the-art research and evidence to Australia. Join delegates from Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Pacific to hear from speakers from across the globe on the latest in HIV. Abstract submissions are open. 16-18 September 2024. Gadigal Country, Sydney, Australia.
25th IUSTI World Congress. IUSTI and ASHM. This conference, which will incorporate the Australasian Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference, will provide an opportunity to meet, discuss and learn about the latest research and innovation in sexual and reproductive health. Abstract submissions are open. 17-20 September 2024. Gadigal Country, Sydney, Australia.
The 12th International Conference on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users. INHSU. This conference will bring together hundreds of global attendees from sectors including harm reduction, infectious diseases, civil society, and drug policy. This event promises to foster collaborative dialogue and catalyse positive change for marginalised communities worldwide. 8-11 October 2024. Athens, Greece.
National Health Promotion Symposium 2024. Australian Health Promotion Association. This symposium brings together members of the health promotion community to participate in critical and timely conversations fueled by a shared vision for a healthy, equitable Australia. 9-10 October 2024. Ngunnawal Country, Canberra, Australia.
Tackling Stigma Conference. Centre for Social Research in Health. This conference will focus on cross cutting approaches to understanding and addressing stigma, promote conversations and debate regarding systemic and structural issues that contribute to experiences of stigma in health care settings, and discuss novel strategies to overcome stigma as a barrier to health care. 21-22 November 2024. Gadigal Country, Sydney, Australia.
27th Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health. WAS, AOFS & Society of Australian Sexologists. Hosted by the Society for Australian Sexologists (SAS) and in association with the Asia-Oceania Federation for Sexology (AOFS), this landmark event will unite hundreds of professionals dedicated to promoting Sexual Health and Rights for all. Abstract submissions close 27 October 2024. 16-19 June 2025. Yuggera and Turrbal Country, Brisbane, Australia.
2024 Youth Health Conference. Australian Association for Adolescent Health. The AAAH 2024 Youth Health Conference is an opportunity to bring together private and public sector specialists and professionals from various disciplines. The conference is a meeting place to exchange ideas, make connections and inspire action, ensuring that youth health and wellbeing is seen as a priority. 11-13 November 2024. Yuggera and Turrbal Country, Brisbane, Australia.
GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Public Health PhD Scholarship. Curtin University is offering a scholarship through CERIPH to undertake important research to identify pathways to achieve virtual elimination of HIV transmission for priority populations left behind in the Australian public health response. Applications close 20 August 2024. Click here for more information.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship. Sexual Health Quarters are offering a scholarship to one Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Doctor and Nurse to participate in one of their Certificate Programs. Click here for more information.