Location:
The Kirby Institute Level 6 Seminar Room Wallace Wurth Building UNSW Australia Sydney NSW 2052
Open to
All
Contact for enquiries
Rata Joseph +61 (0)2 9385 0900 rjoseph@kirby.unsw.edu.au
The Kirby Institute is pleased to present:
Mr Phillip Keen- Coordinator of the NSW HIV Prevention Revolution Partnership Project, Kirby Institute
"Rapid HIV testing among Gay and Bisexual Men: Results from the NSW HIV Rapid Testing Evaluation Framework."
Abstract:
The number of HIV diagnoses in Australia has steadily increased from 724 in 1999 to 1236 in 2013 with gay and bisexual men (GBM) accounting for 70% of new cases. Regular HIV testing is a key strategy in HIV control, however still about a third of GBM diagnosed with HIV present late (CD4 count <350 cells/ul). In surveys, most Australian GBM report that they would test more frequently if results were available in a few minutes. Between 2013 and 2014 rapid HIV testing using the Trinity Uni-Gold test was implemented in 20 sites in NSW; including community sites, sexual health clinics and general practices. A comprehensive evaluation framework was established by the Kirby Institute in collaboration with clinical, laboratory, community and government partners, and funded by the NSW Ministry of Health. This presentation will describe key findings from the evaluation; including client acceptability, test performance and the impact of rapid HIV testing on health care access and HIV testing frequency.
Biography:
Phillip Keen has worked in HIV prevention in various roles in health promotion, policy, and research since 1989. In 2013 and 2014 he was the coordinator of the Kirby Institute NSW Rapid HIV Testing Evaluation Framework. He is currently the coordinator of the NSW HIV Prevention Revolution Partnership Project, which will evaluate the NSW HIV Strategy. He is also undertaking postgraduate research at the Kirby Institute investigating factors associated with delayed HIV diagnoses among gay and bisexual men and strategies to increase HIV testing.