Research Supervisor Connect
SWASH is the longest running regular survey of lesbian, bisexual and queer women's health. The project has quantitative data on sexual and gender identity; community connection; tobacco use, alcohol and drug use; sexual health; psychological wellbeing; experiences of anti-gay, sexual and domestic violence; parenthood intentions; preventive health behaviour; healthcare access and satisfaction. Findings have been vital in shaping service provision for women in this population group.
Camperdown - School of Public Health - Sydney Health Ethics
Masters/PHD
SWASH is the longest running biennial survey of lesbian, bisexual and queer women's health in the world. First conducted in 1996, it has been run every two years by a collaboration of ACON Health and researchers at the University of Sydney.
Data are collected via a two-page self-complete questionnaire distributed to women attending events during the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras season. The questionnaire includes items on demographics; sexual and gender identity; community connection; smoking, alcohol and drug use; sexual health; height and weight; psychological wellbeing; experiences of anti-gay, sexual and domestic violence; parenthood intentions; preventive health behaviour; healthcare access and satisfaction; and knowledge questions on sexual health. Some survey questions are included in all iterations, others appear periodically and some have appeared only once. Where possible, questions have been used from established national surveys such as the National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS), the Australian Study of Health and Relationships (ASHR), and the Australian Longitudinal Survey of Women's Health (ALSWH).
Findings are disseminated through regular reports, peer-reviewed journal articles and via presentations at scientific conferences and community forums. Information on outputs can be found here.
SWASH comprises a large data archive and students are welcome to discuss analysis of historical data or projects built around future surveys.
This project may also offer opportunities for international interns and honours projects.
The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is 1664