Stop the Drama Downunder

• DOI: 10.1097/olq.0b013e318255df06
• Publication Date: 2012-04-13T12:41:04Z
• Authors: Alisa Pedrana; Margaret Hellard; Rebecca Guy; Carol El-Hayek; Maelenn Gouillou; Jason Asselin; Colin Batrouney; Phuong Nguyen; Mark Stoovè
• Keywords: Adult; Male; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Adolescent; Sexual Behavior; HIV Infections; Health Promotion; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 5. Gender equality; Prevalence; Humans; Syphilis; Homosexuality, Male; Health Education; Aged; Australia; Awareness; Chlamydia Infections; Middle Aged; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; 3. Good health; Social Marketing; Program Evaluation

Introduction: Since 2000, notifications of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) have increased significantly in Australian gay men. We evaluated the impact a social marketing campaign 2008–2009 aimed to increase health-seeking behavior STI testing enhance HIV/STI knowledge Methods: A convenience sample 295 men (18–66 years age) was surveyed evaluate effectiveness campaign. Participants were asked about awareness, knowledge, behavior, testing. examined associations between recent awareness. Trends monthly tests at 3 clinics with high case load also assessed. Logistic Poisson regressions χ2 used. Results: Both unaided (43%) aided (86%) awareness high. In multivariable logistic regression, (aided) independently associated having had any test within past 6 months (prevalence ratio = 1.5; 95% confidence interval 1.0–2.4. Compared 13 before campaign, clinic data showed significant increasing rates for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia among HIV-negative during initial continued periods. Conclusion: These findings suggest that successful achieving its aims testing, Victoria.