Working Groups
A number of working groups have been formed to address specific needs relating to STIs in gay men in Sydney. These working groups have provided the background to a number of resources, campaigns and other initiatives to address the changing environment of sexual transmissions amongst gay men.
Currently there are two working groups operating within the STIs in Gay Men Action Group:
- The GP working group (2007-current) plans and coordinates initiatives targeting GPs with information about STI care and prevention for gay men.
- The Health Promotion working group (2004-current) has worked on numerous projects and resources.
Previous working groups have included:
- STI Testing working group (2005-07) was instigated to coordinate the implementation of, and explore ways of, utilising technologies for the strategies aimed at increasing STI testing among gay men.
- Social Networks working group (2005-06) looked at the usefulness of utilising Social Networks as an appropriate strategy for STI prevention among gay men in Sydney after reviewing reports of similar strategies overseas.
- Alcohol, Drug Use and Sexual Risk working group (2005) was developed to coordinate the implementation of strategies aimed at addressing the issues of AOD use and sexual risk, including increasing the capacity of Drug and Alcohol services to provide accessible and appropriate services for gay men.
- Hepatitis A+B Vaccination working group (2004-05) developed a campaign to encourage gay men to be vaccinated by introducing a voucher system to encourage the uptake of hepatitis vaccinations at sexual health clinics. This working group was a sub-group of the STI Testing working group.
- Gay Games working group (2002) was developed to ensure a coordinated multi-agency preparedness and response plan for Gay Games VI held in Sydney, October 2002.
