15 February 2010

Gay men attending this weekend’s Fair Day are being encouraged to help ACON build the health and wellbeing of our community by taking part in an important bi-annual survey and getting a free syphilis test.

The Sydney Gay Community Periodic Survey is designed to improve understanding of gay health issues by gathering data on sexual behaviour, sexual health, drug use and community engagement.

The Periodic Survey occurs twice a year and is conduced by the National Centre In HIV Social Research and the National Centre In HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research in collaboration with ACON and Positive Life NSW.

The study forms a vital part of NSW’s HIV response, enabling ACON and other organisations to measure the level of risk behaviour in the community every six months. People interested in contributing to the study can do so at one of several stalls at Fair Day including one at ACON Alley, ACON’s health and wellbeing pavillion.

Also as part of ACON's recently launched syphilis campaign, people will be able to get a free syphilis test at Fair Day.

Due to increasing rates of syphilis among gay men in Sydney, ACON is encouraging gay men to get tested for syphilis at least twice a year and to notify their partners if they have been infected.

The Sydney Sexual Health Centre testing tent (located near ACON Alley) will be offering free rapid tests for syphilis and a range of other sexually transmissible infections with results available in 15 minutes.

Visitors to ACON Alley will also be able to find out more about ACON’s BEFOREPLAY Mardi Gras campaign and get lots of tips and info about staying healthy during the party season. In addition, ACON sports pros will be getting party goers ready to play with massages, fans, water sprays, sweat bands and games.

Our friendly staff will be on hand to answer questions about men’s health, women’s health, living with HIV, alcohol and other drugs, and staying safe on the street, in the workplace and at home.

Staff from our Aboriginal, Asian, Mature Gay Men and Western Sydney projects can help visitors connect with other members from their community.

Visitors can also volunteer to help people living with HIV through our Community Support Network, pick up some cool giveaways or become a financial supporter through our ACON Angels program.

For more info check out the ACON website: www.acon.org.au/mardigras