2009 symposium - sexual health

Raising the profile of sexual health research

The seventh BSMS and BSUH Trust Research Symposium in October focused on key issues of delivering effective sexual health provision, with 13 speakers and 16 poster presentations, from within BSMS, BSUH and the University of Sussex as well as further afield.

The day was set into three parts: Educating the public and ourselves; HIV testing and the local evidence; and Treatment and management strategies. Presentations ranged from an analysis of internet intervention to promote reduction in sexual behavioural risk.

Other sessions examined the effectiveness of pilot studies and research. Ben Tunstall (above), Senior Practitioner, Terrence Higgins Trust Sussex, said “The symposium showcased some world class research and highlighted the excellent partnership work that takes place between research bodies and community organisations in Sussex. The three strands – education, testing and treatment provided a foundation for a thorough overview.”

Professor Helen Smith, Chair of Primary Care, said “We had excellent presentations and challenging discussion. But, more importantly, the symposium has resulted in some very tangible benefits including new research collaborations, invitations to present at other meetings and opportunities for clinicians to join study advisory teams.

Symposium presentations

Slides from some of the symposium presentations are shown below. Download PowerPoint slides from highlighted titles in grey.

Primary care consultations and costs among HIV positive individuals in UK primary care 1995-2005: a cohort study Professor Jackie Cassell, Chair of Primary Care Epidemiology, Brighton and Sussex Medical School

Is a short course of aziththromycin effective in the treatment of mild to moderate pelvic inflammatory disease? Dr Gill Dean, Department of GUM/HIV Medicine, Brighton and Sussex University Hospital Trust

Testing for sexually transmitted infections: an assessment of user preferences - (The STIPP study) Dr Carrie Llewellyn, Lecturer, Division of Primary Care and Public Health, Brighton and Sussex Medical School

Parents' beliefs about the acceptability of human papilloma virus vaccination for their school aged children Dr Richard de Visser, School of Psychology, University of Sussex.

Internet intervention: sexual behaviour Neil MacDonald, Department of Infectious Diseases Epidemiology, Imperial College, London

HIV transmission in Brighton: how can we stop it? Dr David Pao, Locum Consultant Physician, Brighton and Sussex University Hospital Trust

Queer theory and biomedical practice: sexual health and the crossroads of clinical and cultural worlds Dr William J Spurlin, Director of the Centre for the Study of Sexual Dissidence and Cultural Change, University of Sussex

The acceptability and effectiveness of home sampling for HIV and sexually transmitted infections in men who have sex with men Sonali Wayal, Research Student, Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London and Honorary Research Fellow, Brighton and Sussex Medical School