Brighton and Sussex Medical School – vibrant research programmes

The Sexual Health and HIV Research Group within Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) supports a vibrant research programme focused on four interlinked research themes: HIV and sexually transmitted infections prevention and treatment; ageing and comorbidities; development of new models of care, and implementation of injectable antiretrovirals to treat HIV. We also have partnerships in South Africa, Uganda, Colombia, Ethiopia and Zambia where some projects mirror those in the UK, while others focus on important regional challenges such as the impact of climate change on HIV drug resistance and HIV management.

Locally we continue working in partnership with clinicians from the NHS trust, and community organisations supporting sexual health care across the city to co-design research studies that address important problems currently faced by our patients and local health services. We have several projects focusing on the development and evaluation of innovative models of care and interventions for people with HIV with comorbidities such as cognitive impairment and frailty, including the Orange Clinic.

Another project that continues making a significant impact to the city is the implementation of vending machines distributing HIV and STI tests across several locations in Brighton including Jubilee Library and both university campuses. The machines provide STI testing kits for people without symptoms who want to check their sexual health or HIV status. The machines contain self-sampling swabs and blood sampling equipment which will be tested for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV when returned through the post to the Sexual Health Clinic.

The BSMS Sexual Health and HIV Group continues designing and delivering research co design with communities with direct impact to patients and policy makers. If you are interest in knowing more about current research projects or would like to participate you can contact us here.

Words by Prof. Jaime Vera