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Current Research Projects

Project Researchers

BEACH

  • A collaboration between STIRC and the Family Medicine Research Centre, using the national BEACH (Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health) database to look at different aspects of STIs and HIV issues in Australian general practice. Current projects are looking to ascertain how frequently Australian general practitioners test patients for chlamydia and HIV and determine GP and patient characteristics where tests occurred.

Evaluation of Sexual Health Teaching at Medical Schools in Australia and New Zealand

  • This is a questionnaire-based study to evaluate the quality and quantity of sexual health medicine being taught to medical students in Australia and New Zealand, conducted in collaboration with the RACP, Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine.
  • Data collection for this study commenced in September 2008.
  

Evaluation of the Social and Demographic Characteristics, Sexual Practises and Health Care Needs of the Sex Workers Attending the Parramatta Sexual Health Clinic

  • A prospective study on the sex worker population attending the Parramatta Sexual Health Clinic and its outreach clinic at Mount Druitt.
  • The protocol development for this study has commenced.
  

HPV Vaccine - PATRICIA Study

  • This is a multi-centre international trial of a new GSK vaccine against HPV types 16 and 18. The aim is to reduce the persistence of HPV infection and the incidence of high grade CIN and Cervical cancer. Follow-up is via liquid cytology, colposcopy and HPV typing, and is for four years. Most of the participants are up to their last follow-up visit (Year 4).
  

NPEP Study

  • This is the study of awareness, knowledge and practice of non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (NPEP) for HIV among health care personnel (HCP) working in the sexual health clinics, general practice and emergency departments in New South Wales, Australia.
  • HREC approval has been received. Awaiting SSA clearance.
  

Presence of Helicobacter Pylori in Sexual Health Clinic Attendees

  • Helicobacter pylori is responsible for chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease and is associated with an increased risk of developing stomach cancer. The exact mode of transmission of Helicobacter pylori infection remains unknown and it has been suggested that sexual transmission may be important. This study is a preliminary investigation into a possible association between sexual risk factors and Helicobacter pylori infection.
  • All patients aged 18 and above, presenting to the Parramatta Sexual Health Clinic who were having blood taken for any other purpose, were included in the study. Blood samples were collected for Helicobacter pylori serology using and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect Helcicobacter pylori IgG.
  • Preliminary results of the study were presented at the Australasian Sexual Health Conference held at the Gold Coast in October 2007. The abstract is available at: http://www.publish.csiro.au/?paper=SHv4n4Ab22
  • The enrolment for this study is now complete and the data is being analysed.