Mark Saunders
La Trobe University
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Archive | 2004
Jeffrey Grierson; Rachel Thorpe; Mark Saunders; Marian Pitts
Based on information from over 1000 people living with HIV, this report examines the treatments and services being used, patterns of sexual behaviour and relationships, and the impact of HIV on the everyday lives of those who participated in the study. This is the fourth report of the HIV Futures project.
BMC Health Services Research | 2014
James Ward; Jane L Goller; Hammad Ali; Anna L. Bowring; Sophie Couzos; Mark Saunders; Phyllis Yau; John M. Kaldor; Margaret Hellard; Rebecca Guy; Basil Donovan
BackgroundChlamydia infections are notified at much higher rates in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people compared to non-Indigenous people. The Australian Collaboration Chlamydia Enhanced Sentinel Surveillance System (ACCESS) was established to complement population-based surveillance.MethodsWe describe patient demographics, completeness of recording of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (‘Aboriginal’) status, chlamydia testing rates and positivity rates from the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Service (ACCHSs), General Practice (GP) clinics and Sexual Health Services (SHSs) networks in ACCESS during 2009. Data were extracted from electronic medical records of each participating health service for consultations with patients aged 16–29 years and for chlamydia testing and positivity.ResultsData were included from 16–29 year olds attending six ACCHSs (n = 4,950); 22 SHSs (n = 20,691) and 25 GP clinics (n = 34,462). Aboriginal status was unknown for 79.3% of patients attending GP clinics, 4.5% attending SHSs and 3.8% of patients attending ACCHSs. Chlamydia testing rates among Aboriginal patients were 19.8% (95%CI:18.6%-21.0%) at ACCHSs, 75.5% (95% CI:72.5%-78.4%) at SHSs and 4.3% (95% CI: 2.6%-6.6%) at GP clinics. Positivity rates were highest in Aboriginal patients tested at SHSs at 22.7% (95% CI:19.5%-26.2%), followed by 15.8% (95% CI:3.8%-43.4%) at GP clinics and 8.6% at ACCHSs (95% CI:7.9%-12.4%). This compared with non-Indigenous patients positivity rates at SHSs of 12.7% (95% CI:12.2-13.2%); 8.6% (7.2%-11.3%) at GP clinics and 11.3% at ACCHSs (95% CI:15.4%-24.9%).ConclusionsHigher chlamydia positivity in Aboriginal people across a range of clinical services is reflected in national notification data. Targeted efforts are required to improve testing rates in primary care services; to improve identification of Aboriginal patients in mainstream services such as GP clinics; and to better engage with young Aboriginal Australians.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health | 2012
Jane L Goller; James Ward; Mark Saunders; Sophie Couzos; John M. Kaldor; M. Hellard
Objective: To measure chlamydia testing and positivity rates among 16–39 year olds attending Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs).
Aids Education and Prevention | 2014
James Ward; Michael Costello-Czok; Jon Willis; Mark Saunders; Cindy Shannon
Indigenous people globally remain resilient yet vulnerable to the threats of HIV. Although Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples experience the worst health status of any identifiable group in Australia, with a standardized morbidity rate three times that of non-Indigenous Australians, the Australian response to HIV has resulted in relatively low and stable rates of HIV infection among Australias Indigenous peoples. This paper examines the reasons for the success of HIV prevention efforts. These include early recognition by Indigenous peoples of the potential effect that HIV could have on their communities; the supply of health hardware (needle and syringe programs and condoms); the development and implementation of culturally-appropriate health promotion messages such as the internationally-recognized Condoman campaign; the inclusion of dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sexual Health Workers in communities; and an inclusive policy and partnership approach. Furthermore, the efforts of peak Aboriginal health organizations including NACCHO and its member services and Indigenous programs in peak mainstream organizations like AFAO and its member organizations, have all contributed to prevention success. Efforts need to be maintained however to ensure an escalated epidemic does not occur, particularly among heterosexual people, especially women, and people who inject drugs. New ideas are required as we enter a new era of HIV prevention within the context of the new paradigm of treatment as prevention, and getting to zero new infections.
Archive | 2002
Jon Willis; Karalyn McDonald; Mark Saunders; Jeffrey Grierson
This report provides details about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians living with HIV who filled in and returned questionnaires as part of the HIV Futures II survey. The HIV Futures II survey was conducted by the Living with HIV research program at the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, in the second half of 1999. The survey asked PLWHA about their health, use of antiretroviral and complementary treatments, use of information and support services, and their housing and financial situation. It also asked about sex and relationships, peoples social supports, recreational drug use, work situation and future planning.
Sexual Health | 2017
Mary Ellen Harrod; Sophie Couzos; James Ward; Mark Saunders; Basil Donovan; Belinda Hammond; Dea Delaney-Thiele; Mary Belfrage; Sid Williams; Lucy Watchirs Smith; John M. Kaldor
Background Gonorrhoea occurs at high levels in young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote communities, but there are limited data on urban and regional settings. An analysis was undertaken of gonorrhoea testing and positivity at four non-remote Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services participating in a collaborative research network. METHODS This was a retrospective analysis of clinical encounter data derived from electronic medical records at participating services. Data were extracted using the GRHANITE program for all patients aged 15-54 years from 2009 to 2013. Demographic characteristics and testing and positivity for gonorrhoea were calculated for each year. RESULTS A total of 2971 patients (2571 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander) were tested for gonorrhoea during the study period. Among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients, 40 (1.6%) tested positive. Gonorrhoea positivity was associated with clinic location (higher in the regional clinic) and having had a positive chlamydia test. By year, the proportion of patients aged 15-29 years tested for gonorrhoea increased in both men (7.4% in 2009 to 15.9% in 2013) and women (14.8% in 2009 to 25.3% in 2013). Concurrent testing for chlamydia was performed on 86.3% of testing occasions, increasing from 75% in 2009 to 92% in 2013. Factors related to concurrent testing were sex and year of test. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of gonorrhoea among young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in non-remote settings suggests that the current approach of duplex testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea simultaneously is justified, particularly for women.
The Medical Journal of Australia | 2014
Mary Ellen Harrod; Sophie Couzos; Dea Delaney-Thiele; Gregory J. Dore; Belinda Hammond; Mark Saunders; Mary Belfrage; Sidney Williams; John M. Kaldor; James Ward
Faculty of Health | 2014
James Ward; Michael Costello-Czok; Jon Willis; Mark Saunders; Cindy Shannon
Archive | 2005
Meredith Temple-Smith; Karen Adams; Marian Pitts; D. Bradford; Jon Willis; Ian Philip. Anderson; Mark Saunders
Archive | 2004
Marian Pitts; Karalyn McDonald; Jeffrey Grierson; Jon Willis; Mark Saunders; Arcshs.