PUBLICATIONS FROM THE SIREN TEAM & MEMBERS 

Attitudes towards abortion in male and female adolescents with diverse sexual and pregnancy experiences: a cross-sectional study. Jacqueline Hendriks, Sue Fyfe, Dorota A. Doherty , Angela Jacques , Irene Styles , Martha Hickey  and S. Rachel Skinner. Sexual Health. A survey completed by adolescents aged 12-19 years in Perth, Australia investigated abortion attitudes, sexual behaviour and pregnancy history alongside other demographic and psychosocial factors. Adolescents’ attitudes towards abortion appear to be influenced by their ability to personalise and contextualise the effect of a pregnancy.

REPORTS

Attitudes to biomedical HIV prevention among Australian gay and bisexual men: Key findings from the PrEPARE Project 2019 The Centre for Social Research in Health (CSRH) The number of gay and bisexual men using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)  has almost doubled in the last two years, according to the latest report from the PrEPARE Project. The PrEPARE Project is investigating the attitudes of gay and bisexual men to new HIV prevention technologies, particularly  PrEP and treatment as prevention. 

Annual Report of Trends in Behaviour 2019 - Viral Hepatitis in Australia. Centre for Social Research in Health (CSRH). This report presents an overview of research and key findings in the area of viral hepatitis prevention. The research has highlighted that there is a continuing need to be innovative with prevention approaches, and responsive models of care for viral hepatitis. 

Needle Syringe Program National Data Report 2019. The Kirby Institute.This reports presents an overview of national and state/territory needle and syringe program (NSP) data over the period 2015/16 to 2018/19. Data includes NSP services, service provision, needle and syringe distribution and future directions.

PODCASTS

The Hook Up - Herpes 101. The Hook Up is a sex education podcast delivered by Australian radio station Triple J. Dr Vincent Cornelisse from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Kirby Institute joins this instalment and chats about the myths and misconceptions surrounding herpes simplex virus (HSV). 

JOURNAL ARTICLES 

Harm Reduction Journal (Volume 17, Issue 7) 
High prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and low level of awareness among people who recently started injecting drugs in a cross-sectional study in Germany, 2011–2014: missed opportunities for hepatitis C testing. 
This study aimed to explore the health seeking behaviours and characteristics of new injectors through interviews and blood tests. Findings highlighted a trend of high hepatitis C virus (HCV) positivity and low HCV-status awareness among new injectors. To increase early diagnosis and facilitate treatment, HCV-testing is recommended in facilities where new injectors can be reached, such as drug services, prisons and hospitals. 

International Journal of Drug Policy (Volume 75)
Delineation of chemsex patterns of men who have sex with men in association with their sexual networks and linkage to HIV prevention. Through the use of surveys, this study aimed to compare the sexual behaviour, HIV prevention efforts and social networks of men who have sex with men (MSM) by the intensity and patterns of their drug use.Medium-threshold (mainly methamphetamine, GHB, poppers and erectile dysfunction agents) and intense (extensive use of different types of drug) were more likely to be HIV positive, be diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), make gay friends through mobile apps and sex parties, and intend to take PrEP. Chemsex engagement in MSM is significantly associated with HIV infection in Hong Kong. The research suggests future HIV interventions could be created using mobile apps that connect MSM to each other. 

Maintaining the healthy body: Blood management and hepatitis C prevention among men who inject performance and image-enhancing drugs. This Australian study interviewed men who inject performance and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs) and found participants were mostly aware of external infections risks, such as dirt and bacteria entering the body, with less attention appears to be paid to what might be transferred out of the body and potentially to others, such as blood. Focusing targeted health promotion materials on environmental blood as a potential route of HCV transmission may help engage this population in prevention, and encourage more frequent HCV testing.

Journal of Adolescent Health (Volume 65, Issue 6)
Adolescent Sexting Involvement Over 4 Years and Associations With Sexual Activity. This study examined sexting involvement among culturally and linguistically ethnically diverse adolescents over a 4-year period in Texas, USA.  Males and white participants had greater initial involvement in sexting. Participants who had sex and who had more dating partners were more likely to be involved in sexting. Involvement in sexting increases steadily from adolescence into emerging adulthood. The study identifies a longitudinal association between sexting and sexual activity and may help inform harm reduction strategies.

Journal of Viral Hepatitis (Volume 27, Issue 2)
Using the barriers and facilitators to linkage to HIV care to inform hepatitis C virus (HCV) linkage to care strategies for people released from prison: Findings from a systematic review.  The review identified facilitators to linkage to HCV care included social support, having an existing primary care provider, and receipt of methadone, whereas barriers included a perceived lack of healthcare information and a lack of specialised linkage to care programs. The principal facilitators to linkage to HIV care included social support, treatment for substance use and mental illness, the provision of education, case management, discharge planning and transportation assistance. Important barriers were unstable housing, age <30 years, HIV‐related stigma, poor providers’ attitudes and the lack of post‐release reintegration assistance.This review highlights the dearth of studies focused on exploring the barriers and facilitators to linkage to HCV care post‐release. Additional studies are needed.

Improving access to care for people who inject drugs: Qualitative evaluation of project ITTREAT—An integrated community hepatitis C service. This study used interviews and focus groups  to explore the experiences of clients and staff involved in Project ITTREAT, an integrated community‐based HCV service.  Participants  reported that Project ITTREAT improved HCV care by mitigating previous negative hospital-based experiences and delivering positive narratives around HCV care, and found that drug and alcohol treatment attendees were more active in their drug/alcohol recovery. This suggests that an integrated and personalised community‐based model can be employed to reduce barriers to HCV care for PWID. 

Hep B Moms: A cross‐sectional study of mother‐to‐child transmission risk among pregnant Asian American women with chronic hepatitis B in New York City, 2007‐2017. This study of Asian American women with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)  aimed to identify women at high risk of mother‐to‐child transmission (MTCT) of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV), who met criteria for antiviral therapy. This research suggests that full assessment of HBV pregnant women and early coordinated care is needed to deliver interventions to prevent MTCT during critical windows of time during pregnancy.

Sex Education (Volume 20, Issue 1)
Beyond porn literacy: drawing on young people’s pornography narratives to expand sex education pedagogies. This study examined views of undergraduate students and their experiences with online pornography and sex education.  Findings suggest that participants’ pornography-related views are influenced by their personal views, lived experiences with pornography, and to their structural and social environments. This study suggests small-group discussions on pornography are a potentially productive method for educators seeking to develop a more expansive and ethically oriented approach to sex and sexuality education.