11th Aug 2008
Whilst follow up will continue for at least a year, the recruitment phase of CIRIS is winding up. The last women are being recruited into CIRIS in two NSW clinics and one rural Victorian clinic. At the same time some women who were recruited last year are completing their final follow up. Soon the CIRIS project will bid farewell to the fantastic research assistants who have been so flexible, professional, able and lovely to deal with – thank you! Although the central office for CIRIS is in Melbourne, it is very important that all clinics, participants and staff know of their importance to the project. Communication with our participating clinics, our research assistants and, last but not least, our wonderful participants, has been uniformly terrific. As the recruitment part of the project winds down, we “dips our lid” to you all – thank you!

1st July 2008
Aside from holding the dubious distinction of being the fattest nation on earth, Australia’s sexually transmitted infection rates continue to climb. Long term effects of chlamydia infection in women are known to include pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility but there is still much to be discovered.
Sexual health is a relatively new area of medical research. The World Health Organisation only created a separate unit devoted to this area after World War Two. Even though there are references to syphilis in Shakespeare and records of herpes infection have been around for thousands of years, discussion of sexual health is not yet “out of the closet”.
Finding a way to communicate information to the sexually active population is important and challenging. It appears different cultures have different approaches. Here in Australia amongst the population of women aged between 16 and 25 years of age, the CIRIS participants are generously providing us with their feedback regarding our information and the most useful ways of disseminating that information.
Many thanks again to all participants and the clinics.

2 June 2008
It is hoped that the data collected from the CIRIS study will eventually inform policy regarding Chlamydia screening. However it is also hoped that the all the information given so generously by the CIRIS participants will provide other valuable insights into what might improve sexual health for all young Australian women.
In this information age it is still a challenge to ascertain how information is best communicated. This is particularly an issue for sexual health. Information dissemination cannot occur during “water cooler conversations” due to its personal and private nature. CIRIS has just started to receive the final 12 month follow up questionnaires and in these final questionnaires we ask for feedback on our website, toll free phone line and any information supplied to participants throughout the 12 months of the study. All participants receive printed matter and some, when the situation arises, receive phone consultations as well. The value of the feedback given by participants about how effectively this information is communicated, understood and utilized cannot be overestimated and already we have received much helpful and interesting feedback. So thanks again to all the CIRIS participants and the participating clinics who have given so generously– we appreciate it and know your contribution has been supremely worthwhile. 

6th May 2008
This month CIRIS goes full circle. So far we have recruited about 800 women from Victoria, NSW and ACT. In May we will start sending out our final 12 month follow up packs to the first participants of CIRIS and, concurrently, we will also start recruiting anew in NSW and Victorian clinics!

Knowledge about the cause, treatment and management of chlamydia varies greatly and hopefully, our study and studies like ours will eventually help with the prevention and management of chlamydia for Australian women. However another important aim is to decrease women’s fear and stigma concerning this infection. For this reason we would welcome anyone to visit our website www.mshc.org.au/ciris.

We are really thrilled with the cooperation of all participants and clinics thus far who have participated in our study – thanks again – and are similarly delighted to welcome new clinics, participants and any visitors to our website to the fold!

3rd March, 2008
We are always cheered by the interest and co-operation of all our study participants and recruiting clinics - many thanks for your commitment and shared enthusiasm – we look forward to sharing our final conclusions from CIRIS with you in the future. We are now processing follow up information with participants who signed up with CIRIS 9 months ago so the future is rapidly approaching! Meanwhile, whilst one ACT and one Victoria clinic are recruiting for CIRIS at present, another clinic in NSW commences next week with another Victorian clinic due to start mid March.

Backstory: In 2005 the federal government announced grants targeted at the most commonly notified sexually transmitted infection in Australia – chlamydia. This generated real excitement with anyone with an interest, professional or personal, in women’s reproductive health. The CIRIS project was one of the recipients and it is hoped, along with other studies and projects, the data obtained will inform and improve future policy, management and treatment of chlamydia in Australia.

1st February, 2008
We have all just lived through the hottest January on record – congratulations! Again we have to thank all the CIRIS participants who are always so co-operative and helpful for letting us know of their change of contact details despite the weather conditions!
With recruitment continuing in ACT and Victoria along with concurrent 3, 6 and 9 month follow up; this information really helps with the process running as smoothly as it does. Thank you. We would also certainly be happy to hear any feedback or queries so please do not hesitate to contact us.

3rd January 2008
Happy New Year to all CIRIS participants and indeed to everyone who has supported us thus far in the project – many, many thanks. We start the year preparing for new recruitment clinics and continuing with 3, 6 and commencing in February, 9 month follow up.
Recently the Commonwealth Government announced plans to commence a chlamydia testing pilot program in 2008.
As the project progresses a lot of interest and anticipation is building with regards the potential applications of the results. Toward the end of last year Jenny Walker presented an update of the study to staff at the Molecular Microbiology lab at The Royal Women’s hospital and the feedback was very encouraging.

Update: When follow up consists of a questionnaire only we are finding many participants seem to prefer the option of completing the questionnaire over the phone. When we contact you to let you know the follow up questionnaire is coming, let us know if you want to complete the questionnaire over the phone – either phone us on 1 800 082 820 or send us an SMS to 0417 539 739
.
Thanks again and good luck for 2008

Archives | Current | 2008 | 2007