GOANNA 3 Study: Third Australian cross-sectional survey of social and behavioural factors related to BBVs and STIs among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged.

Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain at greater risk of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and blood borne viruses (BBVs - including HIV and hepatitis C) than the general Australian population. The project will examine patterns of sexual health knowledge, behaviours and access to health services related to sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and blood borne viruses (BBVs) among young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The study findings will improve understanding of links between behaviour, sexual health knowledge, health care access and risk of STIs and BBVs in this priority population, monitor changes since previous surveys and identify emerging issues. Ultimately, this study will advance knowledge, scholarship, clinical and public health practice in STI and BBV transmission and prevention and help inform government policy and develop targeted interventions to  reduce rates of STIs and BBVs in young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

GOANNA 3 will examine patterns of knowledge, behaviours and access to health services related to STIs and BBVs among young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and:

  • Identify socio-demographic correlates of knowledge, behaviours and health service use in this population
  • Contribute to ongoing monitoring systems to assess long term trends in knowledge, behaviours and health service use
  • Update the evidence base to support policy and program interventions, at national and jurisdictional levels, aimed at prevention of STIs and BBVs in this population
  • Provide research capacity development to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

The study findings will improve understanding of links between behaviour, knowledge, health care access and risk of STIs and BBVs in this priority population, monitor changes since previous surveys and identify emerging issues. Ultimately this study will advance knowledge, scholarship, clinical and public health practice in STI and BBV transmission and prevention and help inform government policy and develop targeted interventions to reduce rates of STIs and BBVs in young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The project is a combination of rigorous research and  community engagement nationally. Results will be reported  to health services, government and in research presentations  and publications. The aim is to ensure that policies,  prevention programs and primary  health care initiatives designed to reduce the burden of STIs and BBVs in young  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander  people are based on current evidence. 

The project started in July 2023, with the study coordinator collaborating with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations nationwide to establish official partnerships for conducting surveys within their communities. The UQ Poche research team is working collaboratively with partner organisations to develop and establish robust governance practices, and they are progressing as  planned to start collecting data in 2024.

Department of Health and Aged Care

July 2023 – June 2026