Sexual behaviour, sexual health and sexually transmissible infections among people who inject drugs

There is concern about an increasing number of sexually transmitted infection (STI) notifications in most Australian cities among heterosexual men and women in recent years, including an increase in the number of congenital syphilis cases. Recent Australian and international studies have provided evidence that people who inject drugs are at increased risk of sexually transmissible infections, compared to people who do not inject drugs.

Why people who inject drugs are at increased risk of STIs is not entirely clear. However, it is likely influenced by both sexual behaviours and access to health services. 

Burnet Institute has a long-standing history of conducting research with the mission of improving the health of people who inject drugs, as well as conducting research on sexually transmissible infections and sexual behaviour more broadly.

Burnet also has well-established partnerships with community health clinics who provide harm reduction services such as needle and syringe exchange and opioid agonist therapy.