| |
|
|
| |
|
The health project is funded by Redbridge PCT for a period of one year from April 2007 to March 2008, in partnership with Sahara Communities Abroad (SACOMA), Faith Health Project and Redbridge& Waltham Forest African Communities Forum (African Forum). The project is funded to provide Sexual Health promotion and HIV Prevention work with African populations living in the Redbridge borough.
The objectives of the project is to provide, monitor and evaluate Sexual Health promotion and HIV Prevention initiatives to Africans, improve the quality of and early access to sexual health services, especially early HIV testing, and enable informed choice through the provision of information, advice on prevention, treatment and care services.
Main Objectives
- To provide and co-ordinate Health promotion initiatives, including information, advice to raise HIV awareness and address stigma
- To encourage early HIV testing, treatment and referral to local HIV /sexual health treatment, care and support services.
- To Organise health awareness events and campaigns particularly, World Aids Day campaign.
- To set up an outreach service in Redbridge for primary HIV/STI prevention work targeting African populations especially, men and young people
- To expand prevention work with African faith groups and French speaking Africans
- To train African community & faith leaders on HIV prevention to enable them to become peer educators
- To establish local condom distribution points in Redbridge for African population
- To work in Partnership with other sexual health professional and partners, e.g. Contribute to training programmes and delivery in partnership with others
- To Inform the planning and development of culturally appropriate services by commissioners and providers
|
 |
|
Sexual health is not just about disease. Ignorance and risky behavior can also have profound health and social consequences.
|
| |
|
An estimated 30,000 people are living with HIV in the United Kingdom, of whom a third are undiagnosed. There is still no cure.
|
| |
|
There probably won’t be a highly effective vaccine for at least five years. About 400 people a year die as a result of their HIV infection.
|
| |
| Studies suggest there has been an increase in risky sexual behavior, and that there is still ignorance about the possible consequences. |
| |
| The average age at which people start having sex is now 17. Forty years ago it was 21 for women and 20 for men. |
| |
| Between a third and a half of teenagers do not use contraception at first intercourse. Over a quarter of 14–15 year olds think that the contraceptive pill protects against infection. |
| |
| In 1999 most people questioned in a national study did not know what Chlamydia was. |
| |
| A number of voluntary organisations are jointly running workshops to provide, monitor and evaluate Sexual Health promotion and HIV Prevention initiatives to Africans. |
| |
| These organisations are working to improve the quality of and early access to sexual health services, especially early HIV testing and enable informed choice through the provision of information, advice on prevention, treatment and care services. |
| |
| Among other objectives is to train African community and faith leaders on HIV prevention to enable them to become peer educators. |
| |
| They will also ensure there are local condom distribution points in Redbridge for the African population. |
| |
| Sexual health is an important part of physical and mental health. It is a key part of our identity as human beings together with the fundamental human rights to privacy, a family life and living free from discrimination. Essential elements of good sexual health are equitable relationships and sexual fulfillment with access to information and services to avoid the risk of unintended pregnancy, illness or disease. |
| |
| December 1st sees the annual commemoration of World AIDS Day. Pictures from our last event can be located by following this LINK. |
Home
