The third edition of the SiREN e-news for 2017 is upon us.  We hope you enjoy this edition and you get valuable information from it.

In this edition we update you on the latest SiREN achievements and activities, highlight the newest research and provide you with upcoming personal development opportunities.

NEWS

GPs experience with testing migrants for HIV – call for study participants

GPs from Western Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia are currently being recruited to take part in research exploring barriers to HIV testing. GPs who see clients from sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia are encouraged to participate and share their experiences in testing patients for HIV.

Taking part will involve a 25 minute phone interview at a time that suits the individual. This research will help give a better understanding of the role of GPs in testing patients for HIV. For more information, see the flyer here, or contact Corie Gray at corie.gray@curtin.edu.au.

Crystal, pleasure and sex between men – research project

UNSW Sydney is currently conducting a research project exploring the patterns of crystal methamphetamine use amongst gay men, how men protect themselves during sex combined with drug use, and how this impacts on social relationships and identities. The study will be conducted across Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. For further information, head to the UNSW website here.

People Living with HIV Quality of Life Survey

The National Association of People with HIV Australia at La Trobe University, in association with Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health & Society and ViiV Healthcare Australia, are currently conducting a survey on the quality of life for people living with HIV. The survey is open to people living with HIV who live in Australia and are over 18 years of age. The survey can be found here. For further information on the study, click here.

Deen Clinic now open

Hepatitis WA’s Deen Clinic is now open! Referrals are welcome for hepatitis C testing and treatment for people who use drugs and/or do not have a GP or do not want to go to their GP for treatment. The clinic is 100% bulk billed. For further information, visit the Hepatitis WA website here.

“The Charlie Sheen Effect”

An American study published in May this year has found that Charlie Sheen’s disclosure of his HIV status positively impacted on sales of at home HIV testing kits. The authors concluded that the “Charlie Sheen effect” could be an important opportunity for a public health response as a way of promoting preventative behaviours. To read the full article, click here.

A look at the Health Promotion Workforce in the HPJA Virtual Issue

The Health Promotion Journal of Australia has released a virtual issue of their journal with a focus on the health promotion workforce. The issue includes 11 articles discussing the topic of workforce capacity for effective delivery of health promotion. To view the virtual issue and to read the articles, click here.

World Hepatitis Day 2017: Eliminate Hepatitis

July 28 is World Hepatitis Day. Building on WHO’s Global Strategy on Viral Hepatitis, the aim of the day is to unite the world to drive action to ensure that people living with viral hepatitis receive treatment and are cured by 2030. For more information on the day, visit the World Hepatitis Day website here

‘My Health, Our Families’ podcast

The Sydney Sexual Health Centre has just released a new podcast that focuses on how families of those affected by blood borne viruses respond to the rapid changes in treatments that are now available. To listen to the podcast and find out about the study driving it, click here.

SiREN SECTOR NEEDS ASSESMENT

SiREN recently administered a needs assessment survey that aimed to determine the training, resources and skills needs of the WA SHBBV sector. SiREN will continue to actively promote its resources and services more widely within the sector.  A total of 104 respondents started the survey with approximately 30 respondents lost due to attrition. The survey gained an excellent response from the regional and remote SHBBV sector totalling 62% of the sample. A large proportion of respondents were involved in making decisions in relation to either policies or programs, or both. SiREN has created a knowledge translation strategy that aims to support the WA SHBBV sector to apply the best available evidence to decision-making and to generate new evidence on what works. Through this strategy, SiREN aims to support improvements in policy and practice to achieve better health outcomes. The results of the survey will be used to assist SiREN to prioritise future activities and resource development that caters to the needs of the WA SHBBV sector. A full copy of the report can be found here.

JOB OPPORTUNITY AT SiREN

The SiREN project is currently advertising a Research Officer position. This exciting opportunity is based at Curtin University. The position requires working with researchers, policy makers and practitioners at the state and national level. Responsibilities include: planning and implementing research and evaluation projects, designing data collection tools, collecting and analysing data, and communicating with a variety of audiences. Working with the SiREN team, the successful applicant will also be involved in applying for research funding and ethics approval, developing case studies and disseminating project outcomes including via written reports and manuscripts. Applications close next Monday 26th June 5pm.  Click here for more information.

EVENTS & TRAINING

Health Promotion 12 Weeks Online Course through Curtin University: 

This flexible 12 week online course run between 14th August and the 3rd November 2017 will provide you with an understanding of the role and importance of health promotion and the broader concept of health within a community and national setting. The course aims to provide you with the skills needed to plan, implement and evaluate a health promotion program. You will be introduced to relevant health behaviour theories and health promotion frameworks as well as approaches to evaluation. This course has been developed for those already working in the health sector, those wanting to move into this area and those wanting to incorporate health promotion principles into their roles, such as nurses or teachers.

There are 8 flexible learning modules to be completed in 12 weeks:

  • Module 1: An introduction to health promotion
  • Module 2: Australia’s health
  • Module 3: A social determinants of health approach
  • Module 4: Understanding health and behaviour: theory for health promotion
  • Module 5: Planning: the foundation for a successful program
  • Module 6: Strategies: delivering health promotion interventions
  • Module 7: Evaluation: measuring success
  • Module 8: Sustaining actions

Cost per person: $975 + gst

10% discount for AHPA and PHAA members For more information please click here

SRE Training Event – Traffic Lights®: An Overview

Knowing how to identify and respond to sexual behaviours in children and young people, helps adults to support the development of healthy sexuality and protect young people from harm or abuse. Sexual behaviours are not just about sex. They include any talk, touch, questions, conversations and interests which relate to sexuality and relationships. Traffic Lights® is a framework to identify, understand and respond to sexual behaviours in young people. This 90‐minute webinar presentation will provide an introduction to the Traffic Lights® framework and will work through scenarios to assist you to understand and respond to the sexual behaviours of children and young people. This session is suitable for anyone who works with young people and will be facilitated online by presenters from True Relationships & Reproductive Health.

The webinar will be held on Wednesday 21st June at 4pm to 5:30pm. Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased here.

Research Skills Seminar Series

The Research Skills Seminar Series (RSSS) is funded by the Department of Health WA, a partner of the WA Health Translation Network. It offers seminars on key topics across the entire health research process from concept to research translation. Each seminar is presented by an expert in the field. The seminars are free of charge and open access. Seminars are held Friday lunch time (12.30-1.30pm) at PMH however if you can’t make it all seminars are recorded and available on the seminar event page one week after the seminar for a period of time.

Date

Topic (abbreviated)

Presenter

 

Jun 23

Knowledge Translation

Catherine Elliott, Fenella Gill/Ros Ward

    

Jul 21

Consumer & Community Involvement in Research

Anne McKenzie

    

Aug 4

Introductory Biostatistics: Understanding & reporting research results including p-values & confidence intervals

Julie Marsh

    
         
         
                   

For more information and to view the 2017 RSSS schedule please click here.

Nuts & Bolts Sexual Health Course

15 to 17 August 2017 (other sessions to follow), Northbridge

Build your skills to work with young people around relationships and sexual health. The course aims to develop core knowledge, attitudes and skills required to provide information and support for young people around respectful relationships and sexual health issues. To register for the event, click here.

STI and BBV Quarterly Forums

The next Quarterly Forums held by the WA Department of Health will be held on 6th September and 29th November. Agenda items will be announced closer to the date.

Cultural Competency Training – Diverse WA

This online program, produced by the Office of Multicultural Interests, provides individuals and organisations with important cultural competency training. Topics covered include: the principles and benefits of cultural competency, WA’s cultural diversity, policies and legislative framework, communicating effectively across cultures and working with interpreters and translators. For further information or to register, email harmony@omi.wa.gov.au.

SAVE THE DATE – UPCOMING CONFERENCES

  • 2017 Australian HIV & AIDS Conference, 6-8 November 2017, joint with the 2017 Australasian Sexual Health Conference, 8-10 November 2017, Canberra The conference encourages all disciplines involved in sexual health medicine and sexual health promotion to come together and share experiences, new research and discuss national and local responses to sexual health in Australasia. Want to be the first to receive information and updates on the 2017 Conferences? Join the mailing list now so you won't miss a thing. The abstract deadline has been extended.  Get your abstracts in by 25th June 2017. Step-by-step instructions including submission guidelines and an abstract template are available for download on the conference website. If you require assistance please contact the conference secretariat info@shconference.com.au.
  • Communicable Diseases Control Conference, 26-28 June 2017, Melbourne. In 2017 the Conference theme will be ‘Infectious Diseases: a global challenge’, the theme will allow consideration of the threats to health security from old and new infectious agents, and the increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance. In particular, the conference will examine how the interconnected world facilitates spread of infection. 
  • 2017 Primary Health Care Research Conference, 7-9 August 2017, Brisbane. The PHC Research Conference, convened by PHCRIS in partnership with Flinders University, provides the opportunity for allies from across the health sector to share both evidence and innovations on some of the key priorities in PHC.
  • Australasian Viral Hepatitis Elimination Conference, 10-11 August 2017, Cairn. The inaugural conference aims to gather those working in the field of viral hepatitis, along with policy makers, researchers, primary health care providers, community and others who are committed to the elimination of viral hepatitis. Latest scientific knowledge and developments will presented and discussion regarding evaluation of Australia’s current status regarding elimination and how to move forward will be facilitated.
  • 11th National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Environmental Health Conference, 4-7 September 2017, Cairns. The conference provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander environmental health practitioners a unique opportunity to meet in one place, to network and share information and learn of new initiatives.
  • 29th Annual Scientific Conference of the International Society of Environmental Epidemiology, 24-28 September 2017, Sydney. The overall theme of the Conference is "Healthy places, healthy people – where are the connections?"
  • 9th Asia-Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights Conference, 27-30 November 2017, Hanoi (Vietnam). This biennial conference aims to bring together those involved in reproductive and sexual health and rights from across the Asia-Pacific region, including government, civil society, young people, academia, private sector and development partners. The conference aims to gather practitioners, researchers and experts in reproductive and sexual health and rights to share knowledge on best practice and to discuss what works. The 2017 theme is 'Leave No One Behind! Justice in Sexual and Reproductive Health'. For more information or to register, head to the APCRSHR website.
  • 2017 Black Thunder Towards 2020 Conference, 13-15 December 2017, Canberra. The conference will bring together many of this country's Indigenous leaders, academics, politicians, activists, Indigenous elders, cultural advocates and those who are making a contribution to the struggle of self-determination for Indigenous people in Australia through their leadership and actions from grassroots communities.
  • 11th Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference, 2018, TBA. The Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference is the leading multidisciplinary Viral Hepatitis conference in Australasia. For further information please refer to the ASHM website closer to the date.

UPCOMING GRANTS

Spinnaker Health Research Grants

The Spinnaker Health Research Grants calls for expressions of interest (EOI) for its grant program for 2018.  There are multiple grants of up to $15,000 (and some above according to the Edith Hearn Bequest).  Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full application by 30 August, and successful applicants will be notified by the end of October 2017. The EOI can focus on any area of medicine or community health with relevance to Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group or the South Metropolitan Health Service – any clinicians, allied health workers and scientists are encouraged to apply with work going on relevant to the area (i.e. substantial portion of the research must be conducted within the South Metropolitan Region). See here for application forms

Lowitja Institute

The Lowitja Institute CRC currently has a round of funding open to new research proposals for projects that fall within one of the following themes:

  • Theme 1: Strong Workforce
  • Theme 2: Strong Families
  • Theme 3: Strong Elders
  • Theme 4: Strong Science
  • Theme 5: Strong Health Care

Under the 2017 Research Grants program, we are seeking research proposals within two bands:

  • funding up to $100K to support a range of smaller or short term activities due for completion within nine months; and
  • funding up to $300K for research projects that may be more intensive and run over a longer timeframe, due for completion no later than December 2018.

For further information on the grants and how to apply, visit the Lowitja Institute’s website here. Applications close 30th June 2017.

Gilead Australia Fellowship and Grant

This grant aims to support the development, exploration and implementation of best practice in enhancing patient care in HIV, viral hepatitis and haematological oncology. Researchers in Australian hospitals, clinics, universities, research institutes and professional organisations, in metro and rural regions, are encouraged to apply. Including:

  • Clinical and academic staff
  • Young investigators
  • Nurses
  • GPs
  • Other healthcare providers/researchers

A total of $250,000 is available across three therapy areas, dependant on ethics approval being granted, if required and project completion by the end of 2018. To register to apply, click here. Applications close 1 September 2017.

Department of Local Government and Communities

Grants of up to $10,000 are available for local governments and community service organisations to implement projects that focus on addressing the unique issues faced by women. Funding of up to $5,000 is available for one-off activities or initiatives, with a duration of up to six months that contribute to the program's priority areas.

Funding of up to $10,000 is available for longer term (over six months), strategic initiatives involving a range of partners that will contribute to creating sustainable or systemic change in the program's priority areas.

Projects should address one or more of the following project priority areas:

  • Women's economic independence
  • Women in leadership 
  • Women's Consultative Fora Outcomes

For further information on how to apply, visit the Department’s website here.

Healthway

Prior to completing an application, applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss their ideas with Healthway.

Health Promotion Project Grants

  • Health Promotion Under $5,000
  • Health Promotion Over $5,000
  • Health Promoting Schools
  • Aboriginal Health

For more information and instructions on how to apply see the Healthway website.

Health Promotion Research Grants

  • Intervention Research Grants: up to $120,000 per annum for three years, and $150,000 per annum for the year/s the intervention will be developed.
  • Exploratory Research Grants: offering up to $75,000 over 2 years.

For more information and instructions on how to apply see the Healthway website.

AIDS Trust of Australia

The AIDS Trust of Australia is a national charity that raise funds nationally and distribute them to state, regional and local organisations that deliver awareness, prevention, support, care, advocacy and social research programs relating to HIV/AIDS. For further information on previous projects and how to apply for funding, visit the AIDS Trust website here.

Bupa Health Foundation Grants Program

Every year, the Bupa Health Foundation aims to fund new initiatives that are likely to deliver clear benefits to the health of the Australian community. The Foundation is interested in funding innovative replicable interventions and projects that:

  • Empower people to either prevent or better manage health conditions
  • Empower people to use health education and engagement to tackle health risk factors and promote healthy lifestyle habits. Grants range from $100,000 to $500,000 for up to three years.

An expression of interest opening date for 2017 is yet to be announced. To receive expression of interest notifications, email foundation@bupa.com.au

For a comprehensive list of funding opportunities please click here.  

RECENT JOURNAL ARTICLES

ACCESSING PERSONALISED SUPPORT FROM SIREN

Don’t forget SiREN is here to assist you with your research and evaluation activities! We are available to help you write funding applications, draft conference abstracts, support you with project planning and evaluation, and assist you in creating surveys just to name a few. Support is free but there are a few criteria we require you to meet (please click here to see the checklist). If you are unsure if your project meets the criteria please contact SiREN to discuss further.

Organisations accessing support are encouraged to contact SiREN in the early stages of planning where possible. Start a conversation with the SiREN team by emailing siren@curtin.edu.au or phoning us on 9266 7819.

SOMETHING YOU WANT ADDED TO THE NEXT SIREN E-NEWS?

Please send in to siren@curtin.edu.au and we will be more than happy to include it.

Look out for out next issue in August, and any alerts that come in-between via this SiREN list dissemination.