Researching social and behavioural health

The Stigma Research Stream documents and monitors the experiences and expression of stigma and discrimination targeted at people affected by blood borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections. Priority populations include men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, people living with HIV, people living with viral hepatitis (B and C) and people who engage in sex work. 

The GBQ+ Community Periodic Surveys (GCPS) are repeated, cross-sectional surveys of gay, bisexual and queer men, and non-binary people who have sex with gay, bisexual and queer men, conducted in the metropolitan areas of seven Australian states and territories. They are a key part of Australia’s behavioural surveillance system for HIV, monitoring sexual practices, drug use and patterns of testing for HIV and other STIs.

Families that include people with mixed viral status (also known as ‘serodiscordance’) play a critical role in supporting those who have been diagnosed with HIV, hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C. However, little is known about the role and experiences of families in the prevention, management and treatment of these viruses. This research documents – for the first time – firsthand accounts of what serodiscordance means in the context of everyday family life.

This project focuses on the positive actions Aboriginal young people take to reduce their sexual risk and build sexual wellbeing, and describes the social, cultural and personal strengths and resources that they draw on to do so. The project seeks to change the narrative about Aboriginal young people’s sexual health, from one focused on deficit and problems, to one focused on strengths and resourcefulness.

In February 2022, the Victorian Parliament passed the Sex Work Decriminalisation Bill 2021 which will lead to the staged repeal of the Sex Work Act 1994 and ensure most forms of sex work are regulated within existing regulatory frameworks, such as WorkSafe Victoria and the Department of Health. This evaluation by the CSRH commenced in June 2022 and runs until June 2027. 

The Annual Report of Trends in Behaviour (ARTB) presents data from a selection of the behavioural and social research conducted by the Centre for Social Research in Health. The report focuses in particular on studies assessing trends over time or addressing emerging issues. The 2023 report on trends in behaviour covers viral hepatitis, HIV and other sexually transmissible infections, sexual health and related topics in a single volume.