Sexual Health and Blood Borne Viruses
Leading key initiatives to address sexual health and blood borne viruses. Our programs focus on local needs, capacity building, and improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
What we do
NACCHO manages two critical programs: the Enhanced Syphilis Response (ESR) Program and the Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections (BBVSTI) Program.
Our initiatives
NACCHO manages programs that are both well-established and are the result of ongoing advocacy and determination from the community-controlled sector.
Enhanced Syphilis Response (ESR) program
The Enhanced Syphilis Response (ESR) began in 2017 after NACCHO advocated to the Australian Government for a coordinated, community-led response to the syphilis outbreak in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The program has been evaluated as highly successful and is now a benchmark for other communicable disease initiatives. Since then, the Australian Government has transitioned full responsibility for the program to NACCHO. As of 1 July 2024, NACCHO will oversee the coordination, training, and quality assurance of syphilis point-of-care testing with enrolled services.
HTLV-1
NACCHO is working with Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, AMSANT and other stakeholders to address HTLV-1 in affected Aboriginal communities. This work has included developing a research framework to support appropriate and culturally safe HTLV-1 research, as well as national guidelines for primary health care services. These guidelines will be supported by resources to help health professionals discuss testing and transmission with at-risk groups.
For further information please visit Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet.
This Portal is a collaboration between the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) and the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet.
Blood borne virus and sexually transmissible infections program
This program provides funding to members and affiliates to build their local workforce to implement responses based on local community BBVSTI priorities.
Menstrual products
In the 2024 Federal Budget, $12.5 million was allocated over four years for NACCHO to lead a community-driven distribution of menstrual products in regional and remote communities. This initiative, aimed at improving access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls, women and gender diverse people.
Our impact
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, syphilis testing rates were on the rise. However, the pandemic affected various aspects of service delivery. Now, we are pleased to report that our sector is testing above pre-COVID levels for the target age group of 15 to 34 years. This is a remarkable achievement, reflecting the collective efforts of everyone in the sector to improve health outcomes.
Source: Kirby Institute. Presented by NACCHO at the Inaugural NACCHO Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus National Workshop 2024.
Our approach
Community of Practice
At NACCHO, we prioritise cultural safety, a strengths-based approach, collective impact, and knowledge exchange as key elements of our collaboration. Our Community of Practice celebrates successes, overcome challenges, and innovate to meet community needs.
Inaugural NACCHO Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus National Workshop
On 20-21 August 2024 NACCHO held its inaugural Sexual Health and Blood Borne Viruses National Workshop in Sydney. The workshop supported knowledge exchange, learnings and successes across Member ACCHOs, and Affiliates enrolled in the ESR and BBVSTI programs.
The workshop attracted 115 health professionals from various backgrounds, locations (urban to very remote) and experience levels, including frontline workers such as Aboriginal Health practitioners (AHPs), Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs), community liaison officers, youth workers, and health promotion staff.
The workshop was opened by NACCHO Chair, Donnella Mills, NACCHO Deputy CEO, Dr Dawn Casey and included a welcome from the Hon. Ged Kearny, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health.
Participants had the chance to showcase their successes, identify gaps in resources and training, and build professional relationships. The workshop also provided a platform for feedback to shape the future of both programs.
The agenda included topics such as Men’s Sexual Health, support for the ‘Rainbow Mob’ LGBTQIASB+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, Syphilis Point of Care Testing (PoCT) training, harm reduction strategies, needle and syringe programs, preventing BBV transmission in prisons, and discussions on hepatitis B and HIV. A panel featuring individuals with lived experience of hepatitis C and hepatitis B also contributed valuable insights.
Case study:
Successful Needle and Syringe Program at Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services Aboriginal Corporation
Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services Aboriginal Corporation (Derbarl) was the first ACCHO in Western Australia to establish a Needle and Syringe Program (NSP), in 2008. The program provides sterile equipment, safe disposal containers, and education to promote safer injecting practices. Its primary goal is to prevent the transmission of blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis C, hepatitis B, and HIV.
People who inject drugs come from all parts of the community, but those with trauma, mental health issues, or histories of incarceration are at higher risk. Factors such as shame, stigma, and discrimination often deter Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from accessing NSPs. This highlights the importance of culturally informed staff and culturally safe locations, like ACCHOs (Australian Department of Health, 2008).
Derbarl clinics dispense ~650 fit packs a month, with nearly 70% of clients identifying as Aboriginal. The age range of NSP clients varies widely, from under 18 to over 60 years.
To improve access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, recommendations include enhancing NSP cultural security, implementing harm reduction community education and awareness initiatives, and developing holistic service models (SiRen 2021).
Derbarl’s successful NSP plays a crucial role in reducing stigma, improving access to comprehensive health care in a non-judgmental and culturally safe environment, and decreasing the transmission of blood-borne viruses.
Resources
Committees
NACCHO participates in various government and research committees
NACCHO participates in various government and research committees, including the Blood Borne Viruses and Sexually Transmissible Infections Standing Committee
ACCHO locations
NACCHO oversees a network of 146 members, each running Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) across urban, regional, and remote Australia. These ACCHOs range from large facilities with multiple healthcare professionals providing comprehensive services to smaller centres focused on preventive care and health education, primarily delivered by Aboriginal Health Workers and nurses.
Contact
For any inquiries or assistance, please contact the Sexual Health team, here: bbvsti@naccho.org.au.
