Health Awareness Against STI's

Health Awareness Against STI's

A WORKSHOP aimed at preventing and promoting safe sex against transmitted infections (STI) among the people of Tokelau was held for participants from the island in Apia.

Funded through Tokelau Grants from Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and organised by Tokelau Health Department, about 16 participated in the workshop.

The training message was aimed at finding effective methods to encourage the use of protection and preventative ways to avoid catching sexually transmitted infections.

The workshop will deal with issues through family life, education community programs to deliver information so people can make appropriate choices for their lives and not put themselves at risk.

"Hospital records indicate an increasing level of STI prevalence in Tokelau - especially among the youths. This has become a priority for Tokelau Health. This Behaviour Change communication (BCC) is an approach that we (Tokelau) can adopt to enhance health education and promotion and to create an environment that supports a healthy lifestyle changes", says Director of Tokelau Health, Silivia Alapati.

Tokelau health Department provides broad treatment to patient with sexual transmitted infections due to lack of resources available. Having the necessary equipment and training will enable the department to properly manage and provide precise treatment needed.

"The department will also host a workshop for Medical Officers and Nurses in Tokelau on how to carry out medical lab testing for STI and developing appropriate guidelines on (18-28th June, 2013), to increase the capacity of the health staffs in testing and confirming STI so that they are appropriately managed in Tokelau. The intention is to make the testing for STI available in Tokelau. The availability of the STI testing in Tokelau, will strengthen the Behaviour change communication strategies, and we are foreseeing positive outcomes", she add.

The first of three phase workshop training was held at the Millennium Hotel in Apia.

The workshop was facilitated by Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Nicol Cave, Jacinta Isaacs from the Public Health Division and Lono Leneuoti from the Tuvalu Family Health.

ENDS

© Scoop Media