An event run in conjunction with the Koori Knockout has drawn attention to the need for education and prevention to fight sexually transmitted infections within the Dubbo Aboriginal community.
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Bila Muuji Aboriginal Corporation in association with Hepatitis NSW and the Local Health District ran a sexual health clinic on Thursday and will be available throughout the Koori knockout this weekend.
Bila Muuji Aboriginal Corporation Health Service Assistant to CEO Pam Renata said Thursday’s event aimed to bring attention to sexual safety issues.
“We want to give members of the community the chance to be tested, and to give them more information on sexual health,” she said.
Hepatitis NSW programs manager education and community support Sandy Davidson said more than 25 people from the community turned up on Thursday and a large proportion of those were tested.
“Everyone who attended the event on Thursday walked away with more information on sexual health which is great,” she said.
“We aim to create a safe environment for people to come to have a yarn and speak to other aboriginal people about health and in particular sexually transmitted infections. But also it gave people the opportunity to engage in clinical testing where they may be reluctant to see their regular GP because there might be some shame around that because the GP might know that person within the community.
“The collaboration between the organisations enabled testing that was relevant and it was an effective means of engaging with the community.”
Ms Davidson said improving the health outcomes of the Aboriginal community in Dubbo is of paramount importance.
“We have forged good relationships and there are plans for us to come back in the future,” she said.
“The Koori community needs to look after each other and not be too scared to talk about health concerns because there is always a health service or a person that they can go to that will help them and not be judgmental.
“Moving forward members of the Koori community need to implement prevention strategies and encourage others to observe safe measures in regards to sexual health.”
Craig Thomson
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
I am a media and communications professional with experience across print, digital, social and radio broadcasts. I am currently the Editor of Australian Community Media's Launceston Examiner.
