Sexually transmitted infections and blood-borne viruses

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) include bacterial, viral and parasitic infections that are passed on through sexual contact including vaginal, anal and oral sex [36095].

Some of the most common types of STIs include:

• bacterial infections
  • chlamydia
  • gonorrhoea
  • syphilis [35898]
• viral infections
  • human papillomavirus (HPV) – many different types of HPV exist. Types 6 and 11 are the main cause of genital warts and types 16 and 18 are the main cause of cervical cancer [35898].
• parasitic infections
  • trichomoniasis [41335].

Blood-borne viruses (BBVs) are viruses that can be passed on when blood infected with the virus enters the bloodstream of another person [36092].

Types of BBVs include:

• hepatitis B and C virus – an inflammation of the liver which can be caused by viral infections [35151]
• human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) – a virus that targets the immune system [36092].

Current barriers and challenges to reducing STI and BBV rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities include:

• a lack of tailored and culturally responsive STI and BBV services
• stigma and shame associated with STIs and BBVs, which may reduce testing
• experiences of racism and the impacts of colonisation contributing to negative health outcomes [36092].

Ways to reduce STI and BBV rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may include:

• increasing health literacy
• providing culturally respectful health education, prevention and treatment services
• making appropriately gendered care or services for men’s and women’s business more available and accessible [36092].

STI transmission can mostly be prevented by practising safe sex, some can also be prevented through vaccination. Across Australia, programs to prevent an increase in STI and BBV rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been successful. A high uptake in hepatitis B vaccination has led to a sustained decrease in hepatitis B notifications among young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people [35899]. Similarly, since the Australia-wide vaccination program for HPV began in 2007, there has been a significant decrease in the proportion of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people diagnosed with genital warts [35898].

Many STIs, such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, trichomoniasis and hepatitis C are curable. For those that currently are not, such as HIV, hepatitis B and HPV, there are medications available to manage the conditions [41335]. For all STIs, early detection is important for management and treatment. This can be achieved through regular testing, particularly via primary health care services including Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations [36092][41334].