Search

Young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds experience barriers accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and care. This systematic review, utilising a pre-determined protocol, performed according to PRISMA guidelines, explored SRH knowledge, attitudes and information sources for young (16–24 years) culturally and linguistically diverse background people living in Australia, to gain understanding of their sexual health literacy. CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed and Scopus were systematically searched with inclusion criteria applied to 216 articles. After title and abstract screening, backward/forward searching, and full-text review of 58 articles, 13 articles from eight studies were identified. Thematic analysis, guided by core constructs from cultural care theory, identified three themes: (1) SRH knowledge varied by topic but was generally low; (2) young people's attitudes and beliefs were influenced by family and culture; however, 'silence' was the main barrier to sexual health literacy; and (3) Access to SRH information was limited. To attain sexual health literacy and equitable access to culturally-congruent and responsive SRH information and care, there is a need for theory-informed strategies and policies that address the diverse social, cultural and structural factors affecting young culturally and linguistically diverse background people, especially the 'silence' or lack of open SRH communication they experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 and associated policy responses created unique social, economic and health risks for sex workers. Through semi-structured interviews we explored pre- and early COVID-19 experiences and work practices of ten cisgender female sex workers 50 years of age and older in Queensland, Australia, analysing the findings using a risk environment framework. Throughout early 2020, participants navigated a complex risk environment, managing economic needs, health and safety, occupational stigma and policing. Australia's policy responses altered the risks and opportunities available to participants. Half the participants continued sex work and half stopped sex work with some accessing economic support and withdrawing superannuation savings. Those who continued sex work drew on life and work experience to reassess changing health, stigma, and policing risks, and adapted their work strategies by increasing client screening and modifying services. Participants relied on information from peer networks and organisations to guide work practices but remained wary of contact tracing, police and the media. Decriminalisation of sex work and the strengthening of sex worker organisation and government partnerships are important in embedding equity in responses to ongoing and new public health threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractGender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) comes with many physical, psychological, and social changes that are often considered in isolation. This research uses a socioecological lens with a sample of 15 Australian transfeminine individuals to investigate the changes experienced during GAHT. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2022, with verbatim transcripts analysed using deductive thematic analysis with Bronfenbrenner’s Socioecological Model (SEM) as a framework. Analyses revealed two themes intersecting multiple levels of the SEM. Theme 1 contained two sub-themes and broadly encapsulated how interactions with others influenced GAHT experiences. Sub-theme 1 spoke to how stigma creates positive or negative experiences (through the macrosystem, the exosystem, and proximal processes), while sub-theme 2 described how GAHT causes internal changes that promoted stronger interpersonal relationships (person and proximal processes). Theme 2 described how changes occurred over time, with some changes being temporary, and others being delayed (person and time). These themes highlight the interconnected nature of the physical, psychological, and social changes and experiences that can occur during GAHT. Best-practice care for trans people undergoing GAHT needs to be multi-faceted and holistic in order to embed support across different SEM components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]