To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study looking at associations with multimorbidity in the Australian setting. Care models for HIV positive patients should include assessing and managing multimorbidity, particularly in older people and those that have ever been diagnosed with AIDS.

A descriptive survey of knowledge of genital herpes and attitudes to testing was conducted among antenatal clinic attendees at the Gold Coast Hospital, Australia. The study subjects showed a good knowledge of genital herpes, to a level that appears sufficient for an informed choice regarding herpes serology testing to be made. A preference for testing for genital herpes was suggested. Although serological testing is not routinely required, the results of the study indicate that discussion of genital herpes should be considered in the antenatal clinic setting.

Objective: To evaluate contact tracing outcomes in a regional sexual health clinic (SHC) and to investigate contact tracing outcome measures.

Unplanned admission among PWH is predicted by multimorbidity. Care for PWH should include coordinated management of other health conditions in order to reduce their severity and prevent unplanned admissions.

The National Sexually Transmissible Infections Strategy 2005-2008 emphasised the importance of control of chlamydia and recognised contact tracing as an important health tool for this. This paper reports on a recent audit of contact tracing conducted at the Gold Coast Sexual Health Clinic.

No abstract

In the ongoing chlamydia epidemic, improving contact tracing is a priority. The aim of this research was to develop and evaluate contact tracing resources for chlamydial infection. We compared contact tracing outcomes before and during an intervention using information resources in the form of a wallet-sized 'Make Contact' card and a website. The notification index was similar in the pre-intervention phase and the intervention phase (1.83 versus 1.91, P = 0.74), as was the treatment index (0.94 versus 0.91, P = 0.89). Although the intervention did not demonstrate an effect, this study adds to the published data on contact tracing outcomes in Australia. Further research to evaluate contact tracing strategies, both in sexual health clinics and other settings, remains a priority.

Introduction: Multimorbidity is common among people living with HIV (PLWH), with numerous cross-sectional studies demonstrating associations with older age and past immunosuppression. Little is known about the progression of multimorbidity, particularly in the setting of long-term access to antiretrovirals. This study aims to determine factors predictive of change in multimorbidity in PLWH.Methods: People living with HIV who attended a regional HIV service were recruited to a consented observational cohort between September 2016 and March 2020. Demographic data, laboratory results and a Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) were collected at enrolment and first clinical review of every subsequent year. Change in CIRS score was calculated from enrolment to February 2021. Associations with change were determined through univariate and multivariate linear regression.Results: Of 253 people, median age was 58.9 [interquartile range (IQR): 51.9-64.4] years, 91.3% were male, and HIV was diagnosed a median of 22.16 years (IQR: 12.1-30.9) beforehand. Length of time in the study was a median of 134 weeks (IQR: 89.0-179.0), in which a mean CIRS score change of 1.21 (SD 2.60) was observed. Being older (p < 0.001) and having a higher body mass index (p = 0.008) and diabetes (p = 0.014) were associated with an increased likelihood of worsening multimorbidity. PLWH with a higher level of multimorbidity at baseline were less likely to worsen over time (p < 0.001). Conclusion: As diabetes and weight predict worsening multimorbidity, routine diabetes screening, body mass index measurement, and multimorbidity status awareness are recommended.