A COMMUNITY BASED RESPONSETO SCREENING AND TESTINGSAME SEX ATTRACTED MEN IN W.A

Presented by Ben BradstreetEducation Officer, Gay/MSM Program

History

WAAC has been conducting a successful integrated clinic at WA saunas for over a decade, in which peer educators conduct risk assessments and give results.

Doctors and nurses collect samples, give vaccinations treat infections, and examine. Nurses have always used pre-signed pathology forms.

Syphilis Epidemiology Among Gay Men in Metro Area

• Only 2 FTE Sexual Health physicians in WA• Waiting lists of up to 3 weeks for asymptomatic

testing at sexual health clinics• Few gay friendly GPs and mostly closing their

books • About 50% of sauna clinic clients were NOT

sauna patrons and had come specifically for testing

• A significant proportion of our positive yield at the sauna was amongst asymptomatic men

WA Sexual Health Services

• In response to the outbreak, early in ’07 WAAC:

• formed a partnership with Clinipath to increase accessibility for gay men/MSM (and straight men at risk) for STI testing outside of SOPV;

• developed an algorithm for screening/testing and treatment in collaboration with Clinipath, RPH, Freo Sexual Health;

• trained all peer educators to conduct pre and post test discussion with clients;

• offers testing services Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

WAAC Office Clinic

WAAC Clinic

• Asymptomatic screening/testing of at risk populations

• Peer Educators with pre-signed forms/ rectal swabs

• Clinipath- bloods, urine, throat swabs (across the

road)

• Client returns to WAAC for results

• Positive results followed up and treated at sauna clinic

or RPH (never more than 48 hours)

FLASH Clinic and Fast Tracking

• In response to qualitative interview feedback WAAC opened a Saturday morning drop in clinic in May ‘09.

• Around the same time WAAC initiated “fast-tracking” for eligible repeat testing clients

• Occasions of service have since doubled• Point of Care testing in the future??

Are We Testing The Right People?

HIVHEP A/B/C

SYPHILIS CHLAMYDIA GONORRHOEA

5/1004 5/251 13/753 3/753

0.5% 2% 1.72% 0.39%

Positive Yield Nov’08 to Oct ‘09 (excluding sauna stats)

wareness / Social Marketing

Peer Based Motivational Interviewing and Education

Clinical Service/ Testing

Tertiary Treatment & Referral

AcknowledgementsSimon YamSteven FragomeniClyde DuBoisMark Reid

Dr Stephen HodbyDr Chris BeerDr Lachlan McPhailStephen Plecas (RN)Stephen Blackwell (RN)Garry Kuchel (RN)Dr Glen LoDr Ben DessavaugieDr Michael WatsonDr Toby Nichols

Michael Chester