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2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc

 

Prizes in sexual awareness program

 

Two Umina residents have won prizes as part of an innovative program designed to heighten awareness of sexually-transmitted diseases.

Geoff Beale from Umina Beach was surprised to hear commercial radio station, Sea FM, draw his name as the winner of the Safe Summer Safari competition.

Geoff won a RHEO Pro 40 Body Board from Surfers Choice.

Dean Robertson, also from Umina Beach, won a Safari Gift pack in the competition.

The Safe Summer Safari program was coordinated by Central Coast Health's HIV and Sexual Health Service and Youth Health Service.

"The program confronts unsafe sexual practices amongst youth," according to the service's manager, Karen Nairn.

She said a team of specially trained teenagers acting as "peer educators" surveyed young beach goers about their awareness of safer sex and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

"More than just a data gathering exercise, the survey was used as an educational tool, providing factual information when incorrect answers were given," she said.

"Although those surveyed claimed to know about safer sex, many still believed the contraceptive pill alone was safe and most had poor knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia."

Kristy Moore, a peer educator with the program said: "There's more knowledge out there than practical application.

"I was also amazed at how few people knew anything about chlamydia, even though it is the most common STD among young people."

Ms Nairn was pleased with the success of the program, which had reached a large number of young people with almost 800 surveys completed.

"Surveyed youth will be returning to their schools and communities armed with factual information about preventing sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies through responsible condom use.

"By talking to our peer educators on the beach, they've also seen how easy it is to talk about these issues with others," she said.

"Hopefully, this will empower them to raise any concerns they may have about sexual health."

Anyone wanting to talk to a health care worker should visit their local doctor or the Sexual Health Clinic at 69 Holden Street, Gosford, for a check-up.

Press release, February 7