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This report reviews behavioural data relevant to the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) in Australia. It also examines behavioural data relevant to the social aspects of treatment and care of those who have been infected, including those who are living with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)., Monograph 3/2011

Available literature indicates that clinical factors, social factors, personal values and knowledge are all important in determining whether or not people decide to have treatment for hepatitis C. Therefore this study sought to investigate a range of factors associated with making the decision to take up treatment. Additionally, to explore how Australian clients of Opiate Substitute Treatment (OST) centres made decisions about treatment, this study interviewed a sample of OST clients and health professionals in Sydney about their perceptions of a proposed model of delivery of treatment for hepatitis C through OST clinics.

This report reviews behavioural data relevant to the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) in Australia. It also examines behavioural data relevant to the social aspects of treatment and care of those who have been infected, including those who are living with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)., NCHSR Monograph; 4/2010

The findings presented throughout this report raise concerns about current government strategies which are committed to increasing the number of people who undertake hepatitis C treatment by 2012. Evidently, many people do not clear their infection after having treatment and some people experience ongoing ill health caused by persistent side effects. Therefore, either the development of a more efficacious and tolerable treatment is required, or significantly more resources need to be allocated toward increasing the range of supports and health care services that are available to people during and after treatment for hepatitis C infection before more people with hepatitis C can be expected to consider treatment., NCHSR MONOGRAPH 6/2009

Summary of findings

A qualitative study of both hepatitis C treatment experiences and the management of hepatitis C treatment, using in-depth semi-structured interviews, was conducted in Sydney, Australia, during 2004 and 2005. The study aimed to uncover some of the strategies that people in treatment deployed to cope with the side effects associated with treatment. A purposive sampling frame was used to recruit participants to the study. A total of 20 people who either were receiving treatment or had completed treatment within the six months prior to interview were recruited. Six health professionals who managed treatment regimens were also interviewed. Treatment and its side effects were explored from the perspectives of both patients and clinic staff. The impact of treatment on personal relationships, work, socialising, physical and emotional health and wellbeing, sense of self and future outlook were investigated. Thematic content analysis highlighted key issues reported by patients and health professionals regarding treatment experiences and approaches to treatment management., Monograph 4/2006

The report explores exigent conditions associated with living with hepatitis C infection. Intersecting these demands are the effects of stigma and social marginalisation. Many people with hepatitis C have to navigate and negotiate daily a field strewn with misinformation, conflicting identities and unequal power relations, often while labouring under significant ill-health and surviving on low incomes., Monograph 6/2003

The injection of methadone is relatively common within certain geographic areas of New South Wales, especially Sydney. Our sample comprised people who were in general poorly educated, unemployed and had been long term injecting drug users with fair to poor health. Many respondents had been injecting illicit drugs besides methadone for many years. High rates of frequent injecting were reported for both illicit drugs and methadone. Respondents described the fast acting relief of injected methadone as the reason for continuing the practice.

In general, the key findings describe the impact of the closure and subsequent relocation of WAHS primary NSP to a mobile service on IDUs living in or near St Marys. Given the high population density of Penrith LGA compared to the other LGAs within WAHS, and the reported historical concentration of IDUs around St Marys, the emphasis on the needs of IDUs within this area is not unwarranted. Moreover, it is vital to call attention to the link between area of greatest need and IOU concentration, lack of access to primary NSP services and re-use and sharing of injecting equipment. The interconnection of these factors has implications for the transmission and spread of blood-borne viruses such as HIV and HCV and other harms related to the re-use of used injecting equipment, such as septicemia, thrombosis and vein damage. Significantly, participants reported sharing and re-using injecting equipment with greater frequency since the advent of the mobile service., NCHSR Monograph 5/2000

The DUGM project aimed to provide comparative qualitative data on drug use from two geographically and culturally distinct yet connected gay communities from mid 1997 to late 1998. DUGM grew out of a smaller study, the Gay Men and Drug Use (GMADU) project, and sought to explore patterns of use first identified in the Sydney Men and Sexual Health (SMASH) study.