The
WA Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Appl
ied
Research and
Evaluation
Network
(WA SiREN) is an applied research network that aims to strengthen existing, and create new, partnerships by promoting and facilitating WA-based applied research and evaluation relating to the prevention and control of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs).
The objectives of SiREN are to:
- Identify sexual health and BBVs public health research priorities for priority populations within WA specified in the national STI, hepatitis and HIV strategies; and the WA model of care implementation plans. The priority populations include:
a. gay men and other men who have sex with men
b. people who inject drugs
c. young people
d. Aboriginal people
e. sex workers
f. people living with HIV and/or other BBVs
g. people in custodial settings
h. priority culturally and linguistically diverse populations
i. migrants and new refugees
j. travellers to and from high prevalence regions
k. health professionals
- develop partnerships between WA-based researchers, the Department of Health WA's Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program and national sexual health and BBV research centres.
- develop and enhance partnerships between government and non-government service providers, researchers and policy makers working towards the prevention and control of STIs and BBVs; and
- contribute to an evidence base to inform the Department of Health WA's policy and decision making for the prevention and control of STIs and BBVs within WA.
- Contribute to the national sexual health and BBV research agenda.
The SiREN
terms of reference have been developed in consultation with the SiREN partners.
