Current Projects
Australian Chlamydia Control Effectiveness Pilot (ACCEPt)
The ACCEPt project aims to design and evaluate a chlamydia testing program set in general practice.
The program is to be pilot tested using a randomised controlled design.
The primary aim of the study is to assess the feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an organised program for chlamydia testing in general practice.
Secondary aims of the project are to increase testing and raise awareness of chlamydia among health care professionals and young Australian adults.
The project is funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.
For more information go to http://www.accept.org.au
Sexual Health Promotion Discussion Paper
A discussion paper was written and distributed to the health promotion and sexual health field in October 2010 as one of the first steps undertaken by CERSH to explore the current context for sexual health promotion in the Hume region. It was designed to generate conversation and critique, and to present a focus for future discussion about strategic opportunities to enhance sexual health promotion in our region.
The discussion paper proposed that characteristics of sexual health promotion in a rural context include:
◦understanding and working within each local rural context;
◦addressing sexual health in priority populations within an inclusive practices framework;
◦active and explicit engagement with the dynamics of difference, diversity and culture;
◦using a range of health promotion actions;
◦a strong acknowledged value base;
◦an integrated and comprehensive approach to respectful relationships, violence prevention education and sexual health initiatives;
◦intersectorial partnerships; and
◦coordinated sexual health service provision.
A summary of the key health promotion frameworks and approaches most pertinent to sexual health promotion were outlined. Case studies of local sexual health promotion initiatives were researched and presented throughout this paper highlighting the effective practices and approaches of workers, organizations and communities in the Hume region to this point in time.
A summary of the key policy documents and projects at a national, state and local level was included to provide the current policy context. The paper also outlined the proposed role of CERSH in health promotion. Feedback was invited from the health, education and community sectors.
The sexual health field endorsed the proposed role of CERSH in taking a strategic role in supporting rural sexual health promotion through:
■leadership and co-ordination;
■project support;
■knowledge/evidence building;
■building workforce capacity for sexual health promotion
■evaluation.
Sexual Health Network Goulburn Valley and Northeast Victoria
July 2010
In July 2010 CERSH partnered with the Hume region PCPs to invite health professionals from northeast Victoria interested in sexual health to attend a ‘Think Tank’ in Benalla in order for CERSH to gauge the current level of interest and the capacity of Northeast Victoria to develop a Sexual Health Network. The focus of the network would be to collaborate, partner and coordinate sexual health initiatives in the region. Thirty one participants attended this meeting including nurses, teachers, health promotion and community workers. The outcome of the meeting was the development of a network which agreed to meet approximately four times per year.
27th October 2010
This meeting provided an opportunity for Lauren Coelli from Gateway Community Health to talk about the recent establishment of the sexual health clinic, Clinic 35, in Wodonga. Lauren described the clinical model and approach Gateway has taken to offering sexual health clinical services and health promotion in this region. Jacque Phillips, Chief Executive Officer, Numurkah District Health Service then presented information about the recent establishment of the youth health service, ‘The Hut’ in Numerkah.
Cross fertilization of ideas and experiences within the network leads to enhanced sexual health service provision
A positive outcome from the establishment of this network has been the initiation of development of a young person specific clinical service in Beechworth. At the inaugural meeting of the network; a guest speaker (CEO of the Numurkah Health Service) was invited by CERSH to present about how a young person specific health service had recently been established in Numurkah. By sharing this information and experience with the network participants, the impetus to recreate this success in Beechworth was formed and action has followed to investigate and establish a similar accessible clinical service for young people in Beechworth.
30th March 2011
The focus for this meeting was presentations from local agencies who facilitated programs funded by SHADE in 2011. A number of local initiatives were funded by SHADE to support innovative and creative projects encouraging young people to think about the choices they make about their sexual health and to celebrate sexual diversity. Programs were run during sexual health week, February 2011.
Each of these projects was asked to present at the network meeting, to describe their project, discuss the successes, and the key challenges and learning’s. There was also plenty of opportunity for interaction in order to support a learning environment for sexual health promotion.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: sexual health working party
In September 2010, the University of Melbourne Koori Health Unit and CERSH facilitated a Koori Sexual Health Forum at Dookie campus of the University of Melbourne. It was attended by 20 local workers, and 5 workers from VACCHO, MSHC and FPV. The forum was facilitated by Robynne Nelson, from Healing The Spirit, and combined presentations about the state-wide initiatives and CERSH, and participant input through smaller yarning circles to share their stories and wisdoms about Koori Sexual Health in their communities. It was agreed that a Koori Sexual Health Working Party be formed to be responsible for:
- solidifying the 4-5 Key priority areas as advised by their management, fellow staff and other forum participants. and
- planning the way forward
Twelve people from local services and representatives from VACCHO, MSHC, FPV and CERSH and the Koori Health Unit nominated for the working party. CERSH offered to coordinate the meetings and provide administrative support. The working party agreed that the purpose of this collaborative planning and action is to contribute to:
- improving the sexual health of young Indigenous people living in Goulburn Valley and northeast Victoria
- improving sexual health literacy of young Indigenous people living in Goulburn Valley and Northeast Victoria
- developing and implementing strategies that provide for Aboriginal ownership, participation and acceptance of sexual health programs.
- developing partnerships between existing stakeholders across the region.
The group identified three core objectives that could be worked on collaboratively and established a planning framework to guide this work: The objectives are:
- To increase the capacity of the workforce (both Indigenous and non-Indigenous) to provide accurate sexual health information, support and health care to Indigenous young people in Goulburn Valley and northeast Victoria by June 2012.
- To design, implement and evaluate two alternative models of sexual health clinical service delivery in Goulburn Valley and northeast Victoria for Indigenous young people by June 2012.
- By June 2012, increase the number of sexual health education resources and education opportunities accessible to local Indigenous young people in both school and out of school settings.
CERSH’s role has been to support and strengthen a coordinated approach to planning, facilitation, documentation and evaluation, particularly between state-wide services and local services and communities. The relationships between specialist statewide sexual health services and local rural communities and organisations, and how this can operate at best practice level has been of particular focus for CERSH.
People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, including refugees
Whilst newly arrived people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds do not have significantly high prevalence rates of STI’s, they remain a priority group as access to a culturally responsive and coordinated reproductive and sexual health care system remains a challenge in rural areas. In the Hume region, the greatest numbers of newly arrived individuals and families have settled in Shepparton, Wodonga and Cobram. In 2010, a range of local services and state-wide agencies expressed interest in working together to establish regular education opportunities and clinical services for newly arrived CALD women. To this point in time, it is acknowledged that an integrated approach has been challenging due to limited coordination and communication among services. CERSH has supported a draft project plan developed by UnitingCare Cutting Edge Youth Services, and consolidated by a working group to establish a strategic approach. This project will focus in the Cobram and Shepparton areas. Partners include Goulburn Valley Health, Goulburn Valley Community Health, Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health, Multicultural Health and Support Service, and Pap Screen Victoria.
CERSH plans to provide funds and assist with project support, evaluation and documentation in order to strengthen a sustainable commitment to culturally responsive service provision in rural areas. Further work will be undertaken to ensure that local community leaders and members of newly arrived communities are engaged in all aspects of the initiative, and that diverse health beliefs, and the impact of the experience of migration is respected and integrated into culturally responsive education and service provision. This work will also build on and consolidate the Cultures of Care project, a sexual health promotion initiative for newly arrived communities, facilitated by Multicultural Health & Support Service, in partnership with UnitingCare Cutting Edge Youth Services in the Hume region in 2010. CERSH contributed to this project through participation on the project advisory group.
Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and questioning (GLBTIQ) people: ‘How2 education series’
CERSH has been working with Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria, based at the Australian Research Centre for Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS), La Trobe University, to offer a series of workshops to service providers in the Hume region to coach them through the practical steps involved in creating a GLBTIQ inclusive service. Following an information session to introduce the ‘How2 education series’ held in December 2010, the How2 program has been adapted to meet local needs of rural services. Four workshops facilitated over a 12-month period in 2011 have commenced. Practical support will also be offered by CERSH to assist organisations to plan, implement and evaluate change.
Participating organizations are:
Gateway Community Health Service
Ovens and King Community Health Service
Mitchell Community Health Service
Primary Care Connect
Villa Maria
Uniting Care Cutting Edge
Moira Shire
Condom Vending Machines in Northeast Victoria
During 2010 CERSH approached seven local government area (LGA) councils to engage them in discussion relating to the potential installation of condom vending machines in publically accessible locations within each of the LGAs. Access to the machines after hours was particularly important for young people. The councils approached by CERSH included the City of Greater Shepparton and surrounding shires including Moira, Campaspe, Strathbogie, and the Rural Cities of Benella and Wangaratta. Indigo shire was also approached later in the year. CERSH was invited by three of the councils (Campaspe, Strathbogie and the City of Greater Shepparton) to present this proposal at a council meeting and continues negotiations with councils to implement this strategy into 2011. The response from these three councils has been positive and we are confident that accessible condom vending machines will become a reality in Northeast Victoria before the end of the CERSH funding period in 2012.
This project is modeled on the Safer Sex in the Sticks project (2008) and more recently the Safer Sex in the Sticks and Beyond project (completed in 2010) carried out by the Swan Hill District Health Service in partnership with CERSH where the local council installed and ensured the maintenance of condom vending machines in spaces accessible by young people.
The local government areas being targeted by CERSH in the Hume region are:
- Goulburn Valley PCP - City of Greater Shepparton, Moira Shire and Shire of Strathbogie
- Central Hume PCP - Benalla Rural City, the Rural City of Wangaratta and Indigo Shire
- Campaspe PCP – Shire of Campaspe
CERSH continues to develop collaborations and partnerships with interested local governments to ensure that condom vending machines are installed in public places that are accessible to all of the community and in particular young people, both within and outside of normal business hours.
CERSH is ensuring the sustainability of this project by building strategies in partnership with local government to ensure the ongoing replenishing and maintenance of condom vending machines that are installed during this project and encourage health promotion activities aimed at raising awareness of safer sexual practices in local young people.
CERSH has just signed its first MOU with Strathbogie shire and expect condom vending machines to be in the shire in the near future.