The Substance Use and Sex Index (SUSI)

Synopsis

Neither substance use nor sexual behaviour is inherently ‘risky’, but we do know that there is some relationship with transmission of HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other blood-borne viruses (BBVs). We therefore need to make sure we have a way to effectively measure risk behaviours.

The Substance Use and Sex Index (SUSI) seeks to address these issues and has been developed by a group of researchers at The University of Tasmania, The University of NSW and The University of Sydney. An advisory group made up of Australian community experts and clinicians provides expertise and guidance over the tool’s development. Version 1 of the tool was piloted in 2016 as an anonymous online questionnaire. Based on feedback and review of the piloted tool, version 2 was an online questionnaire to be completed anonymously.

The new SUSI tool will provide a more effective way of measuring risk behaviours compared with tools that are currently in use. SUSI has the potential to support the effective treatment of substance use disorders as well as support effective prevention, treatment and care relating to HIV, STIs and BBVs. 

(Approved by St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney Human Research Ethics Committee, reference number: LNR/18/SVH/31; and the ACON Research Ethics Committee reference number: 2018/02)