Archive for month: November, 2022

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Survey of Women’s Health in the ACT

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Seeking local women to share their experiences of sexual and reproductive health.

Women’s Health Matters (WHM) has released a new online survey of women’s health. WHM needs more people to complete the survey to make women’s health needs more visible in the ACT.
The survey explores what women have to say about sexual and reproductive health, access to services, experiences with health professionals and more.

Early analysis of the survey responses indicates that reproductive health issues are common, but many people are not able to get effective medical help, and many lack access to affordable GP and specialist care.

Preliminary data from the survey shows around 30% of people had persistent pelvic pain (PPP) in the last 12 months, while about 35% of those who sought professional medical help about PPP were dissatisfied with the care received. Of those who had PPP, over 60% had missed study or work commitments as a result.

Lauren Anthes, CEO of Women’s Health Matters, says this early data is already beginning to shape new understanding about women’s health needs.

“Australian jurisdictions are moving towards a more strategic and holistic approach to sexual and reproductive health. With the new data from our survey helping to make these health needs visible, the ACT will be better positioned to respond.

It’s quite confronting seeing that many women who have health concerns are perhaps not feeling like they can get effective medical help”, Ms Anthes said.

Significant numbers (around 15-20% of responses so far) are also reporting they have been diagnosed or treated for endometriosis and/or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), with many dissatisfied with the medical care they have received for these conditions.

Information about women’s sexual and reproductive health is a major gap in ACT-specific data. Most existing datasets are too small to allow detailed local findings despite sexual and reproductive health and rights being key measures of gender equality.

The survey also explores mental health, safety and discrimination, as well as access to healthcare and satisfaction with services. It is also hoped that the survey will expand ACT level knowledge about the experiences of marginalised groups.

This survey has been made possible through a grant received from the Canberra Foundations Collaborative earlier this year. Georgina Byron, CEO of The Snow Foundation says projects like this one are important to improve healthcare in the ACT.

“Having a strong evidence base focused on the specific experiences and needs of women in the ACT will identify trends, priorities and opportunities to improve the health and well-being of the Canberra community”, Ms Byron said.

You can access the survey here. You can read more about the survey here.

FAQ: Survey of Women’s Health in the ACT

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You can access the survey here.

What is the survey about?

The survey is about the health and wellbeing of women in the ACT and surrounding regions. The information that Women’s Health Matters collects through the survey will help us make women’s health needs more visible, and contribute to improving healthcare and community support for women.

Who is this survey for?

This survey is for people who are:
• women / femme-identifying or people who align themselves with this group, AND
• aged 18 years or over, AND
• living in the ACT or surrounding regions

How long will it take?

The survey takes around 15 minutes. It might be a bit shorter or longer for you depending on your answers.

When will the survey close?

We plan to close the survey on Weds 15 January 2023.

Can I do the survey another way?

Yes. If this survey is not accessible for you or is difficult to use, please email healthpromotion@womenshealthmatters.org.au or phone (02) 6290 2166.

There is also an electronic document version of the survey that you can download and complete.

Survey of Women’s Health in the ACT (word document)

Survey of Women’s Health in the ACT (rich text format)

You can email it back to us at healthpromotion@womenshealthmatters.org.au

Is there any payment or reward for doing the survey?

Everyone who is eligible for the survey and completes it can enter a prize draw to win one of two $100 gift cards. The prizes will be drawn in January 2023. We will check people are eligible before awarding the prizes.

To enter the price draw, you will need to tell us your email address and postcode at the end of the survey. These details will be separated from the survey answers, only used for the prize draw, and deleted after prizes are awarded.

How will my information be used?

Women’s Health Matters will make sure that personal information is kept safe in line with our privacy policy. Information will be used to create reports and submissions to help improve the health and wellbeing of women in the ACT. Survey answers will only be used anonymously.

Are there any sensitive topics in the survey?

Yes. The survey covers topics including sexual and reproductive health, experiences of violence, pregnancy loss and infertility.

We suggest you do the survey in a private space and at a time when you will feel comfortable and safe. Thinking about these topics might bring up difficult feelings for you.

Feel free to take a break if you need to, and consider using some of the support options listed here. This link will open a page in a new browser window. If you like, you can leave that window open while you complete the survey.

Support options

Support options are listed here.

Acknowledgments

Women’s Health Matters is grateful to the Snow Foundation for providing funding to support this project, and to the other organisations and community members who have helped us develop and promote the survey. Some of the survey questions have been sourced or modified from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (Women’s Health Australia), and we appreciate their support.

More information

For more information about the survey, please email healthpromotion@womenshealthmatters.org.au or phone (02) 6290 2166

Support Options: Survey of Women’s Health in the ACT

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Below is a list of support options available to you, should you need them.

Lifeline  – for crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – ph: 13 11 14 . For more information or online chat visit their website.

Beyond Blue – for help with anxiety and depression 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – ph: 1300 22 4636. For more information or online chat visit their website.

Sands – Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Newborn Death Support – 24/7 helpline ph: 1300 308 307. For more information or online chat visit their website.

QLife – LGBTI peer support and referral for LGBTI people and issues relating to sexuality and gender – ph: 1800 184 527. For more information or online chat visit their website.

Domestic Violence Crisis Service – local service for people impacted by domestic and family violence: 24/7 Crisis Line: ph 02 6280 0900. For more information or online chat visit their website.

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre – assistance, counselling and advocacy for issues relating to sexual violence: CRCC Crisis Line 7am-11pm 7 days per week – ph: 02 6247 2525. For more information visit their website.

1800RESPECT – national service for issues relating to domestic and family violence, sexual assault and other forms of gender-based violence –  ph: 1800 737 732 . For more information or online chat visit their website.

ACT Women’s Health Service – ph:  02 5124 1787. For more information visit their website.

Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT – All Options Pregnancy Counselling – if you are pregnant now and trying to make a decision about whether to continue a pregnancy, you can call SHFPACT for free all options counselling on 02 6247 3077.  For more information visit their website.

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre – for mental health issues related to becoming a parent – Non-crisis phone support, support groups and support for partners as well as information and referral – ph 02 6288 1936. For more information visit their website.

Care Financial Counselling – Canberra-based service helping with financial distress and debt – Phone support (Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm) – ph: 1800 007 007. For more information visit their website.

National Debt Hotline – financial counselling by phone: 1800 007 007 (Mon-Fri 9:30am to 4:30pm) or Live Chat (Mon-Fri 9am to 8pm) via website.

Supported by ACT Health Directorate

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