Research Reports

The Sexual Health and Relationships Survey is the first national survey of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in relation to sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and blood-borne viruses (BBVs) undertaken in Australia. The survey involved collection of data comprising four areas; (i) demographics; (ii) questions assessing knowledge of STIs and BBVs; (iii) questions relating to risk behaviours and (iv) questions related to use of and access to health services.

This report presents the findings from the Queensland component of a National Health and Medical Research Council funded study of New South Wales and Queensland prisoners’ sexual health and behaviours. Comparisons of the Queensland and New South Wales components of this survey can be found in Appendix 1.

This is the NSW part of an NHMRC-funded study of NSW and Queensland prisoners. Its aim was to study the sexual behaviour, health and attitudes of prisoners as a vulnerable population often omitted from community surveys even when outside prison, and to examine sexual issues in prison such as health service use, condom use, sex between inmates and sexual coercion.

The Western Australian Government is currently reviewing its legislative approach to prostitution. In parallel with this process, the Law and Sexworker Health (LASH) team independently compiled extensive collateral data on the prostitution laws in WA, and prosecutions (2000–2005) resulting from those laws; the structure and function of the sex industry in Perth; the demographics, behaviour, health, and welfare of a representative sample of brothel-based sex workers in Perth; and the operation of health promotion and clinical services in WA.

The Law and Sexworker Health (LASH) team are leading international authorities on the public health and legal aspects of sex work – combining over 100 years of multidisciplinary research experience into sex work in NSW, interstate, and internationally.

In September 2008, the Blood Borne Virus and STIs Subcommittee (BBVSS) of the Australian Population Health Development Principal Committee committed to the development of a National Syphilis Action Plan (NSAP) as a priority area for action. Phase A of the plan involved determining the variables and targets to underpin the shared goal of reducing the incidence of syphilis among gay men.

Chlamydia is the most commonly notifiable sexually transmissible infection (STI) in Australia. The NSW Government convened a working group in 2010 tasked with developing an action plan focused on strategies for the control of chlamydial infection in people aged less than 30 years (hereafter referred to as young people).