Sex on premises venue (SOPV) health promotion project in response to sustained increases in HIV notifications.
BACKGROUND
Due to increases in HIV notifications in Queensland, a health promotion outreach project was developed with sex on premises venues (SOPV) in Brisbane.


METHODS
A health promotion officer (HPO) promoted safer sex behaviours among SOPV patrons over 14 months, including providing information, counselling and skills to enhance safer sexual behaviours and providing referrals. Surveys were introduced to facilitate discussions regarding HIV/sexually transmissible infections, testing and safer sex practices.


RESULTS
The project demonstrated feasibility within this highly sexualised environment, and was enhanced by careful monitoring and revising the procedure to improve patron/staff responses to the project. The introduction of a survey instrument was a significant contributor to the project's effectiveness, providing opportunities for patrons to discuss a variety of key sexual health issues.


CONCLUSIONS
This initiative reflected effective partnering between the Health Department, a community HIV/lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organisation and private industry. Despite initial difficulties, the presence of a health worker within an SOPV was acceptable to patrons and allowed for brief interventions to be conducted. This project was deemed effective for a limited time period and within certain constraints.
Mullens
Amy B
AB
Sexual Health and HIV Service, 270 Roma Street, Brisbane, Qld 4000, Australia.
Staunton
Shaun
S
Debattista
Joseph
J
Hamernik
Elisabeth
E
Gill
Darren
D
D000328:Adult; D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015438:Health Behavior; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016730:Program Development; D011793:Queensland; D012736:Sex Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055815:Young Adult