Sexual Health
Sexual and reproductive health promotion is a difficult area to traverse as it is not only about relationship and health education it is also heavily overlayed with values and beliefs. This may seem even more daunting when working with individuals and families from refugee backgrounds, given perceived cultural differences and language barriers, and the myriad of settlement tasks and adjustments that individuals and families are engaging in and undergoing during early settlement.
“The potential health impacts of STIs include multi-organ damage and congenital effects from syphilis, while chlamydia and gonorrhoea can cause infertility and a risk of ectopic pregnancy. Maternal gonorrhoea and chlamydia can lead to severe neonatal conjunctivitis. There are personal health and public health reasons to detect these infections in individuals regardless of background and to limit their transmission in the community.
For information about approaches to sexual health for people from a refugee background please see the Refugee Health Guide.
referral
referral
Referral
Women’s sexual and reproductive health hubs
Sexual and reproductive health hubs are available for all Victorian women, girls and gender diverse people throughout community health services in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. You usually do not need a referral to make an appointment.Visit
referral
Referral
1800 RESPECT:
If you or someone you know is experiencing violence or abuse, you can contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or through the online chat (interpreters available)Visit
referral
Referral
Multicultural Health & Support Service (MHSS)
CEH’s Multicultural Health & Support Service works with communities and health professionals to promote the health and wellbeing of people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, asylum seekers and international students. Its goal is to prevent new incidences and transmission of STIs, HIV, blood borne viruses (BBVs) and viral hepatitis among these communities.Visit
resource
resource
Resource
CEH’s Multicultural Health & Support Service
CEH’s Multicultural Health & Support Service works with communities and health professionals to promote the health and wellbeing of people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, asylum seekers and international students. Its goal is to prevent new incidences and transmission of STIs, HIV, blood borne viruses (BBVs) and viral hepatitis among these communities.Visit
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Resource
The National Education Toolkit for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Awareness
This website is a part of coordinated Australian effort to increase our understanding of FGM/C and better support women and girls who have experienced it. A range of resources are available including toolkits, standards, brochures, guides, videos and research papers.Visit
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Resource
Women’s Health In the North (WHIN)
WHIN produces an extensive collection of publications and resources. These materials are used by a range of individuals and organisations including health professionals, family violence professionals, researchers and students, the preventing violence against women workforce, local government, health services and the emergency management sector.Visit
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Resource
Family Planning Victoria
Here you will find a list of factsheets and video animations translated into languages other than English. These resources were produced in partnership with the Multicultural Centre for Women's Health.Visit
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Resource
Sexual Health Victoria
Sexual Health Victoria provides Multilingual Sexual Health Resources with a list of factsheets and video animations translated into languages other than English.Visit
publication
publication
Publication
Contraception knowledge and attitudes: truths and myths among African Australian teenage mothers in Greater Melbourne, Australia
This study is based on qualitative research that was underpinned by intersectionality theory, cultural competency and phenomenology. Aims and objectives: The aim of this study is to discuss the contraception knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of African Australian teenagers and women with a refugee background in Melbourne.Visit