Kevin Scott and Nick Connor (QAHC) hosted a professional development day for workers from a range of services in the Cairns district who wanted to know more about sexual health. This presentation was given at the AFAO/NAPWA Gay Men's HIV Health Promotion Conference in May 2012.

1. „an exercise in reorienting health services
and developing personal skills‟
Kevin Scott and Nick Connor

2. Cairns
•160,000
•Large LGBT community
•Approximately 350 PLHIV
•Decrease in new HIV infections

3. WHY?
To improve the skills of those who work with our
core clients to be able to discuss sexual
health, STI screening and testing so that
they can empower clients to improve their
sexual health

4. HOW?
A meeting of two interagengy RASHAC
(Regional Sexual health ,HIV and Viral Hepatitis
Advisory Committee) and YACI ( Youth
Accessing Contraception and Information) was
held in Cairns on December 8th to discuss
Sexual Health Awareness Week 2012

5. IDEA
Funding for activities was available from Communicable
diseases branch and it was decided to host a professional
development day called „Sex essentials‟ .Tuesday Febth
The idea came from two previous forums in the Cairns
district which had been successful- the LGBT Aging
Forum and Mental Health Services Forum both held at
Cairns Regional Council meeting room in past 6 months

6. Audience
Health promotion workers, youth workers ,
health service & NGO workers who work with our
core clients , workers from other sectors who
want to know more about sexual health

7. Program
A subcommittee was set up to
decide on the elements of the
program
These included presentations on:
+What‟s new in Sexual Health
+Risk Reduction
+Talking about Sex
+Negiotation,being ready
+Young People
+ Sex and Drugs
+Contact Tracing

8. Theme
+sexy services session,
+facilitator /entertainer ,music and to theme
+Valentines Day
+International Condom Day
+Shirts for committee
TALK , RESPECT, ENJOY ,KEEP IT SAFE

9. Registration
+Peolep were asked to register for the day early December
+the day would be free
+participants asked to do pre forum survey
+110 registrations (12 didn‟t attend, 5 just turned up)
+certificate of attendance provided

10. The day itself !
” Oh my god I haven‟t had so much fun for such a long
time”
“I cant believe they are saying that stuff”
“everything was handled with humour and respect”
“wonderful informative day providing lots of discussion
for the trip home”
“look forward to the next workshop”

11. Evaluation
Pre evaluation was done and in the post evaluation
80% of attendees completed the survey on the day
+guidance for future sexual health,
+feedback regarded the sexual heath services are very
dynamic and engaging
+ 77% of people would like more of these events and 18
people didn‟t answer this question

12. The End
any questions ?
for more information
contact
kscott@qahc.org.au or nconnor@qahc.org.au