Emerging sexual and reproductive health in Australia and New Zealand: gaps, challenges and solutions

Tiffany R. Phillips; Eric P. F. Chow; Jacqueline Coombe

doi:10.1071/SH23156

EDITORIAL

Online Early

Emerging sexual and reproductive health in Australia and New Zealand: gaps, challenges and solutions

Tiffany R. Phillips

^A ^B ^* , Eric P. F. Chow

^A ^B ^C and Jacqueline Coombe

^C

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.

^B Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.

^C Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia.

^* Correspondence to: tiffany.phillips@monash.edu

Handling Editor: Jason Ong

Sexual Health - https://doi.org/10.1071/SH23156
Submitted: 22 August 2023 Accepted: 30 August 2023 Published online: 11 September 2023

Abstract

This Virtual Special Issue explores emerging topics in reproductive health in the Australian and New Zealand context. The included manuscripts cover pregnancy and termination of pregnancy, priority populations for sexual and reproductive health, digital technology and its impact on reproductive health, and perspectives from clinicians.

References

[1] World Health Organization. Reproductive health. 2023. Available at https://www.who.int/westernpacific/health-topics/reproductive-health

[2] Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. What we’re doing about reproductive health. 2023. Available at https://www.health.gov.au/topics/reproductive-health/what-we-do

[3] Health New Zealand. Sexual and reproductive health. 2023. Available at https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/our-health-system/preventative-healthwellness/sexual-and-reproductive-health/

[4] Dorney E, Black KI. Preconception care. Aust J Gen Pract 2018; 47 424–9.
| Preconception care.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[5] Mazza D, Burton G, Wilson S, Boulton E, Fairweather J, Black KI. Medical abortion. Aust J Gen Pract 2020; 49 324–30.
| Medical abortion.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[6] Cashman C, Downing SG, Russell D. Women’s experiences of accessing a medical termination of pregnancy through a Queensland regional sexual health service: a qualitative study. Sex Health 2021; 18 232–8.
| Women’s experiences of accessing a medical termination of pregnancy through a Queensland regional sexual health service: a qualitative study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[7] Commonwealth of Australia CARC. Ending the postcode lottery: Addressing barriers to sexual, maternity and reproductive healthcare in Australia. Commonwealth of Australia CARC; 2023.

[8] Hendriks J, Fyfe S, Doherty DA, Jacques A, Styles I, Hickey M, et al. Attitudes towards abortion in male and female adolescents with diverse sexual and pregnancy experiences: a cross-sectional study. Sex Health 2020; 17 77–86.
| Attitudes towards abortion in male and female adolescents with diverse sexual and pregnancy experiences: a cross-sectional study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[9] Warzywoda S, Fowler JA, Nourse C, Wu M, Britton S, Rowling D, et al. Syphilis in pregnancy: a qualitative investigation of healthcare provider perspectives on barriers to syphilis screening during pregnancy in south-east Queensland. Sex Health 2023; 20 330–8.
| Syphilis in pregnancy: a qualitative investigation of healthcare provider perspectives on barriers to syphilis screening during pregnancy in south-east Queensland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[10] Thean L, Moore A, Nourse C. New trends in congenital syphilis: epidemiology, testing in pregnancy, and management. Curr Opin Infect Dis 2022; 35 452–60.
| New trends in congenital syphilis: epidemiology, testing in pregnancy, and management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[11] The Kirby Institute University of NSW. HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmissible infections in Australia annual surveillance report 2022. Kirby Institute University of NSW; 2022.

[12] Australian Government MRFF. Australian medical research and innovation priorities 2022–2024. Australian Government MRFF; 2022.

[13] Mengesha Z, Hawkey AJ, Baroudi M, Ussher JM, Perz J. Men of refugee and migrant backgrounds in Australia: a scoping review of sexual and reproductive health research. Sex Health 2023; 20 20–34.
| Men of refugee and migrant backgrounds in Australia: a scoping review of sexual and reproductive health research.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[14] Del Tufo A, Foster R, Haire B, Newman CE, Smith AKJ, Crowley M, et al. Understanding the health care needs of transgender and gender diverse people engaging with rural Australian sexual health centres: a qualitative interview study. Sex Health 2023; 20 339–46.
| Understanding the health care needs of transgender and gender diverse people engaging with rural Australian sexual health centres: a qualitative interview study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[15] Rose SB, Garrett SM, McKinlay EM, Morgan SJ. ‘Be nice to us, we’re still learning’: an online survey of young people in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, about unmet need for sexual health care and improving access to services. Sex Health 2021; 18 394–404.
| ‘Be nice to us, we’re still learning’: an online survey of young people in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, about unmet need for sexual health care and improving access to services.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[16] Larkins SL, Page P. Access to contraception for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women: necessary but not sufficient. Med J Aust 2016; 205 18–9.
| Access to contraception for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women: necessary but not sufficient.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[17] Bell S, Ward J, Aggleton P, Murray W, Silver B, Lockyer A, et al. Young Aboriginal people’s sexual health risk reduction strategies: a qualitative study in remote Australia. Sex Health 2020; 17 303–10.
| Young Aboriginal people’s sexual health risk reduction strategies: a qualitative study in remote Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[18] Falconer TA, Kauer S, Fisher CM. Sexting and sexual behaviour in Australian adolescents. Sex Health 2023; 20 57–63.
| Sexting and sexual behaviour in Australian adolescents.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[19] Douglass CH, Wright CJC, Davis AC, Lim MSC. Non-consensual sharing of personal sexually explicit imagery among young people in Australia: results from an online survey. Sex Health 2020; 17 182–6.
| Non-consensual sharing of personal sexually explicit imagery among young people in Australia: results from an online survey.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[20] Stevenson TB, Rumbold A, Callander E, Buckingham P, Assifi A, Mazza D, et al. Online platforms for prescription and supply of hormonal contraception in Australia: a mapping review. Sex Health 2023; 20 273–81.
| Online platforms for prescription and supply of hormonal contraception in Australia: a mapping review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[21] Cheng Y, Rogers C, Boerma CJ, Botfield JR, Estoesta J. Clinician views and experiences with reproductive coercion screening in a family planning service. Sex Health 2023; 20 71–9.
| Clinician views and experiences with reproductive coercion screening in a family planning service.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[22] Bittleston H, Coombe J, Temple-Smith M, Bateson D, Hunady J, Sanci L, et al. Diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease and barriers to conducting pelvic examinations in Australian general practice: findings from an online survey. Sex Health 2021; 18 180–6.
| Diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease and barriers to conducting pelvic examinations in Australian general practice: findings from an online survey.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |