ASHM Report Back
Clinical posts from members and guests of the Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine (ASHM) from various international medical and scientific conferences on HIV, AIDS, viral hepatitis, and sexual health.
Day 2 - Tuesday 15/11/2016 STI health
In today's presentations a strong theme came across that we need more data for sexual health services & the effectiveness of STI's in teenage programmes.
HIV is increasing in some populations.
Professor Mark Hayter, UK, talked about the importance of integrating a multidisciplinary approach in Sexual Health.
That substance use is often predictor in context of higher risk sexual activity/practices/behaviours.
Alcohol remains to the most significant driver, which equates to more sexual partners.
Evidence has shown that Clinicians need to identify higher risk individuals and interactions around substance use need to be more substantial, such as motivational behaviours skills. We may also need to consider bring in a Specialist in Drug and Alcohol/addiction, or refer on to another service if the expertise is not available in the service delivery model.
CHEMSEX - MSM sexually disinhibiting drugs use, often with Viagra.
Potential sexual Partners meet on line, App's - meeting up sites.
Increased numbers of partners. STI’s risks increased
PrEP is available option, but also need to address chemsex behaviour.
Behaviour modification interventions such as education and prevention can reduce changes in behaviour, in drug use and unprotected sex & which reduces the risks of considerable harm.
Evaluating 1 stop shops for (sexual health clinics) and the effects on staff. Research has shown mixed results of this.
Need to build research into service design and evaluation with partnerships with Universities.
Reaching out to Schools - Sex Education & relationships:
Nursing is best suited to deliver this care in outreach setting such as schools.
Nurse lead sexual health, mental health and substance use & care delivery to schools children and adolescents, is better delivered and protective under a broader health objectives, as a sexual health clinic at schools will become political.