Cultural respect and communication guide: a resource to assist sexual health service delivery to Aboriginal communities (2009)

Description

The Cultural respect and communication guide: a resource to assist sexual health service delivery to Aboriginal communities has been designed for health care professionals working in the area of Indigenous sexual health. It was developed in response to recommendations made in the NSW HIV/AIDS, sexually transmissible infections and hepatitis C strategies: implementation plan for Aboriginal people 2006-2009 and is the product of an extensive consultation process whereby project committee members, stakeholders, and staff from a range of service providers (e.g., local general practitioners, sexual health service staff) contributed to the resource content.

The guide seeks to enhance the knowledge and understanding of Indigenous culture among health care professionals so as to improve the delivery and accessibility of sexual health services to individuals and communities. Specifically the guide highlights the barriers to sexual health service delivery encountered by Indigenous peoples and offers suggestions for overcoming such barriers. Issues such as cultural respect, communication, shame, and access are addressed in this section. The guide also provides information on the process of community engagement and the different modes of service delivery.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Contact details

Madeleine Holtmann
Health Promotion Officer - HARP (HIV and Related Programs)
North Coast Area Health Service
Locked Bag No 1
Kempsey NSW 2440
Ph: (02) 6562 6066
Email: Madeleine.Holtmann@ncahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Links

• View resource: Cultural respect and communication guide: a resource to assist sexual health service delivery to Aboriginal communities
• View website: North Coast Area Health Service

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