2016 Australasian Sexual Health Conference and 2016 Australasian HIV&AIDS Conference
 

Sexual Heath Abstract Guidelines

In order for your presentation to be considered, abstract guidelines must be followed. Please ensure that the presenting author completes the abstract submission. Abstracts must be submitted by Sunday 5 June 2016.

Authors should state a preference for oral or poster presentation, and address the abstract to one of the conference themes below.

Indigenous submissions are encouraged to be submitted across all themes.

Conference Themes for Presentations

Theme Explanation
Clinical Sexual Health Research informing clinical management of patients or the use of laboratory/diagnostics in sexual health.
For example, Clinical audits, case studies or case series, treatment trials; studies involving novel uses of nucleic acid detection tests, point of care testing, cervical screening, technology, evaluation of new diagnostic tests, antimicrobial resistance and molecular typing
Psycho-social Research into the psychological and social influences on sexuality, sexual practices and sexual health, including the mental health implications of poor sexual health.
For example, social and psychological factors affecting sexual health; social inequalities (of gender, social class, ethnicity, sexuality, disability) and sexual health; social and psychological programs and interventions to improve sexual health; gender based violence; professional development relevant to psycho-social intervention and sexual health
Education and Health promotion Health education and health promotion relevant to sexual health; research into the policy, program and contextual factors affecting the success of actions and interventions to promote sexual health.
For example, health promotion actions, programs, interventions and evaluations; policy frameworks and service provision; school-based sexual health education; education in community and health care settings; technology and social media; HIV and sexual health.
Reproductive Health Research informing service delivery and clinical management of reproductive health
For example, clinical audits, clinical trials or reviews in relation to contraception, abortion, fertility/infertility and other related areas.
Sexuality Research, trials and clinical presentations on sexual behaviours and practices, and how they affect individuals, couples and society and the effect of social media. Includes the therapy and management of sexual dysfunctions: male and female, gay and straight, conservative and other.
Epidemiology Research informing the epidemiology of STIs and other aspects of Sexual Health.
For example, Case-control or cohort studies, community screening studies, surveillance reports, investigation of STI outbreaks, vaccines, microbicides, enhanced screening strategies systematic reviews and/or meta-analyses.
Other Research regarding sexual health topics that do not fit into above categories
e.g. legal / ethical issues

Types of Presentations

Presentation Type Time Allocation Explanation
Oral Presentations 12 minutes presentation and 3 minutes question time Where possible, presentations with a similar theme will be grouped together.
Poster Presentations Permanently displayed during the Conference Posters will be displayed within the exhibition and catering area. The top ranked posters in each theme will be invited to give a 7 minute oral presentation (5 minute presentation and 2 minutes question time) or their research in the oral poster sessions.

Abstract Preparation Guidelines for all Presentations

All abstracts must:
  • Use Arial 12 point type only 
  • Use single spacing only 
  • Format - Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) files only 
  • Leave one line between paragraphs 
  • Specify all abbreviations in full at the first mention, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses, thereafter abbreviation only should be used
  • Be written in English 
  • Check abstract thoroughly for spelling and grammar
  • Do not include references
All abstracts must include:
1. TITLE: in BOLD at the top of the abstract

2. Authors:
  • Principal author to appear first 
  • Underline the name of the author who will be presenting the paper 
  • Use surname followed by initials (do not use full stops or commas between surname and initials) 
  • Omit degrees and titles 
  • Include affiliations for each author. Use superscript numbering after the author’s name to indicate affiliations
3. Body of Abstract: maximum 300 words, with following headings:
  • Background: study objectives, hypothesis tested, or description of problem
  • Methods: method used or approach taken
  • Results: in summarized form, must include data but do not include tables, graphs or pictures
  • Conclusion: description of main outcomes of the study. Include knowledge or insight that conference attendees will gain from the presentation, explanation of how conference attendees can apply the skills and/or knowledge within their communities and how the study contributes to evidence-based knowledge 
Note: If the body of the abstract is more than 300 words it will be sent back to be revised.

4. DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST STATEMENT:
Please include a disclosure of interest statement in your abstract for any contributions received relevant to this work. Please see the example below:

”The Australasian Sexual Health Alliance recognises the considerable contribution that industry partners make to professional and research activities. We also recognise the need for transparency of disclosure of potential conflicts of interest by acknowledging these relationships in publications and presentations.”

Note:
If accepted into the program you will be requested to include a disclosure of interest slide into your presentation or include such statements in your poster.

Download the Abstract Template

Selection Criteria

Abstracts will be assessed on the basis of their scientific merit, whether they provide new evidence or further extend existing knowledge and based on their contribution to sexual health. They will be favoured at review if they incorporate:
  • Original data of high quality. 
  • An analysis that extends existing knowledge
In balancing the program the committee may require authors to present their work in an alternate format (eg as a poster rather than oral presentation).

Note: We encourage abstracts that are based on Indigenous issues be presented by Indigenous persons, or an Indigenous co-presenter be included. If this is not possible, please include some information as to whether any member of the indigenous community in which the research is based was involved in development of the research protocol or in conducting the research.

Abstract Submission 

Abstracts must be submitted electronically through the online system. You can access the site via the conference website. You will be required to enter:
  • Preferred theme
  • Preferred presentation type
  • Authors’ names. Note: Abstract presenters will be required to fund their own attendance at the conference and should not submit an abstract if this is not possible. Scholarships may be available and preference will be given to those who do submit abstracts, however authors should ensure they are able to fund their own travel if need be.
  • Authors’ affiliations
  • Abstract title
  • Abstract as a word document (maximum 300 words) plus a disclosure of interest statement 
  • Short biography of presenter (maximum 50 words). This information will be used by the session chair for introduction purposes and may be published in conference literature
  • Audiovisual requirements
Please contact the Conference Secretariat if you are unable to lodge your abstract via the website or if you have any queries. We recommend using Firefox, Google Chrome or Safari as your browser to access the online submission site.
By submitting an abstract all authors agree to release the license to the Conference organisers and give permission to publish the abstract in the conference handbook, website, application, USB etc. and in so doing certify that the abstract is original work.

Note: If your abstract does not conform to the guidelines, including if it is over 300 words, it will be returned to the submitting author to revise. 

Conference Registration

Abstract presenters will be required to fund their own attendance at the conference and should not submit an abstract if this is not possible.

All presenters (including posters) will be required to register for the conference by Friday 28 October 2016. It will be assumed that any presenter not registered by this date has withdrawn from the program and their abstract will be removed from the handbook.