Completed Research Projects

• Project	Contact
  STDs in General Practice Funding: None STIRC has collaborated with Family Medicine Research Centre, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney to conduct secondary analyses of the Bettering of Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) database. BEACH is a national encounter based database commenced in 1998 to record general practice activity in Australia. Three studies have been completed. The first looked at the management of STIs in general practice, the second looked at ‘sexual health problems’ in general practice and the final study looked at chlamydia testing in general practice. Chlamydia testing in general practice in Australia The management of sexually transmitted infections by Australian general practitioners Sexual health problems managed in Australia general practice: a national, cross sectional survey	Dr Shailendra Sawleshwarkar
  Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Vaccine Trials Funding:  Glaxo SmithKline International These studies evaluated the efficacy of a vaccine for prevention of HSV-2 infection. Recombinant Glycoprotein Vaccine for the Prevention of Genital HSV-2 Infection A Prospective Study of New Infections with Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 and Type 2	Professor Adrian Mindel
  The Epidemiology of Herpes Simplex Virus in Pregnancy Funding: Ramaciotti Foundation and PHRDC A study that established the prevalence and risk factors for the presence of HSV-2 and HSV-1 infections in pregnant women in Western Sydney. Sexual behaviour and social class in Australian women Sexual and demographic risk factors for herpes simplex type 1 and 2 in women attending an antenatal clinic Neonatal herpes prevention: a minor public health problem in some communities	Professor Adrian Mindel
  HSV Vaccine A multi-centre international trial of a new GSK vaccine against genital Herpes. This vaccine has proven safe and effective in adult women who are sero-negative for HSV-1. It has no efficacy in men or in women who have been exposed to HSV-1. The study included adolescent girls (between the ages of 12-17). This study is being carried out in conjunction with the Westmead Millennium Institute and the Westmead Children's Hospital. The participant visits and follow-up are now complete.	Margaret Piper
  Prevalence of Chlamydia in Adolescents in NSW Funding: None A study to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among ‘high risk’ young people in New South Wales. Prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection among ‘high risk’ young people in New South Wales	Professor Adrian Mindel
  A Retrospective Review of Sex Worker Attendees at the Parramatta Sexual Health Clinic and its Outreach Facilities at Mount Druitt Funding: None Sex workers (SWs) are globally recognised to be at high risk for the acquisition and transmission of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and this study determined the demographics, sexual practices and health care needs of SWs attending Sexual Health Clinics in the region Western Sydney. A retrospective case note review of sex worker attendees at sexual health clinics in the western suburbs of Sydney	Dr Shailendra Sawleshwarkar
  Evaluation of Sexual Health Services within Australia and New Zealand Funding: None This study examined and compared specialised services for patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in Australia and New Zealand. Evaluation of sexual health services within Australia and New Zealand	Professor Adrian Mindel
  Management of Sexually Transmitted Diseases Comparing Specialists and General Practitioners in Australia Funding: None The study documents the range of diagnostic techniques, treatments and partner notification policies used by Sexual Health Physicians (SHP) and General Practitioners (GPs). The management of STDs comparing specialists and general practitioners in Australia	Professor Adrian Mindel
  Cervical Pre-cancer in Female Sex Workers in Sydney Funding: Sydney Foundation for Medical Research We have investigated the prevalence of, and risk factors for, cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in commercial sex workers (CSWs) and controls attending the same sexual health clinics in Sydney. Cervical human papillomavirus infections in commercial sex workers—risk factors and behaviours Sex work practices and condom use in female sex workers in Sydney	Professor Adrian Mindel
  Imiquimod 5% Cream Treatment for the Treatment of Genital Warts Funding: 3M Pharmaceuticals This study determined the optimal duration of treatment with imiquimod for external genital warts. An open-label phase II pilot study investigating the optimal duration of imiquimod 5% cream for the treatment of external genital warts in women	Professor Adrian Mindel
  An Evaluation of the After-Hours Clinical Service at Sydney Sexual Health Centre Funding: None This study analysed patterns of patient utilisation of the after hours service at Sydney Sexual Health Centre (SSHC). Young working women utilise the after hours service at Sydney Sexual Health Centre	Professor Adrian Mindel
  Demographic and Sexual Characteristics of Patients Presenting with Genital Warts to Sydney Sexual Health Centre Funding: None This study characterises risk factors for the acquisition of genital warts and specifically to determine whether condoms confer protection from infection. Risk factors for the acquisition of genital warts: are condoms protective?	Professor Adrian Mindel
  The Management of Women with Recurrent Genital Herpes in Pregnancy in Australia Funding: None This study documents clinical practice for the management of recurrent genital herpes in pregnant women in Australia. Management of women with recurrent genital herpes in pregnancy in Australia	Professor Adrian Mindel
  HIV p24 Vaccine Trial Funding: SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals In a randomized placebo controlled trial 304 HIV infected patients with CD4 cell counts below 350 cells/mL received therapeutic vaccination with: alum placebo (Group I, n = 102), p24-VLP 500 mg (Group II, n = 101) or p24-VLP 1000 mg (Group III, n = 101) p24-VLP monthly for six months. Therapeutic vaccination (p24-VLP) of patients with advanced HIV-1 infection in the pre-AART era does not alter CD4 cell decline	Professor Adrian Mindel