Conversations with partners and doctors about HIV and sexual health are essential for young people to protect themselves and live healthily. These conversations are not always easy, that’s why Avert has developed resources to help.
Published on 28 March 2024 | Emma Collingbourne
When we talk to young people about the challenges of looking after their sexual health, one of the recurring themes is not knowing how to talk about HIV and sexual health with their partners and their healthcare providers, and a reluctance to do so. With sex often still considered a taboo subject, and the stigma that remains around HIV, it can be difficult for young people to start conversations with the people they need to talk to most, leaving them more vulnerable to myths and misinformation. Open and honest conversations around safe sex and sexual health are key for young people to get the information and support they need to protect themselves and live healthily.
With the support of The Mercury Phoenix Trust Avert has co-created a range of content for Be in the KNOW, across website and social media, that is helping young people to initiate and navigate these difficult conversations. The content responds to the results of our co-creation process where we explored a range of questions with young people in sub-Saharan Africa, including who they talk to about health-related issues, which topics they found particularly challenging to talk about, and the types of content that they would find most useful. Only 8% of respondents said they would talk to a healthcare professional about sexual health, highlighting the need for materials giving young people guidance and encouragement to reach out to the people that are best able to support them.
Open and honest conversations around safe sex and sexual health are key for young people to get the information and support they need to protect themselves and live healthily.
How to talk to a doctor about HIV and sexual health provides the knowledge and tools for young people to talk with more confidence to healthcare workers about sensitive sexual health subjects. It supports them to self-advocate for the support and treatment they need, and to persist with engaging with health services despite barriers such as stigma, judgement and services that are not youth friendly. The content includes useful discussion starters such as questions can you ask a health professional about HIV and STI testing, HIV treatment and birth control.
Other resources include tools that support and encourage open discussion with sexual partners on key issues such as HIV, using a condom, and pleasure. Content is frank, sex-positive and has been created in bite-sized, easy to understand formats including infographics and social media reels. This content challenges the stigma associated with HIV by providing positive messages in fun, creative, visually appealing, and engaging ways.
Talking to your doctor about sexual health
Talking to your doctor about STIs and HIV
Tips for talking about condoms
So far the content has reached over 5 million young people on Facebook and Instagram, had over a million post engagements, and 1600 shares. Audience responses have been very positive with comments on social media such as “I so much love this advice thank you” (Facebook user) and “These are such great tips! 🙏🏼” (Instagram user).
These discussion starters are just one of many resources on Be in the KNOW helping young people navigate difficult topics and get the accurate sexual health information they need. If you know or work with young people who would benefit from these resources, please share them. And if you have ideas for other resources that would further build the confidence of young people to look after their sexual health, please let us know!
These are such great tips! 🙏🏼
Photo credit: Gulshan Khan/Avert/Ikusasa Lethu. Photos are used for illustrative purposes. They do not imply health status or behaviour.
