HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health Education in Asia Pacific Schools: Panel Discussion

National Centre in HIV Social Research (Australia)

The discussion centred on reinforcing the "Life Skill Approach" in health education programs in their respective countries. Vietnam is currently running a project funded by the UNICEF and has introduced the "Life Skill Approach" into their health education module and is trying to encourage the Ministry of Health Education to accept and adopt this concept and to include it in their teaching curriculum at school level. However, it was emphasised that a clarification was indeed required in what covers ÔLife Skill Approach' education and health education. Emphasis was placed on a broader life skill development approach in Vietnam, as sexual health education cannot be taught in isolation, according to Phan Thi Le Mai, National Project Officer, UNFPA and Alliances for Adolescent Reproductive Health. It must be integrated in health education and reproductive health, at schools, families and at community levels. Malaysia has integrated also the "Life Skill Approach" into their reproductive health module. The module has been designed and developed by the youth themselves. Thailand has incorporated the "Life Skill Approach" in their sexual and health education programs, and believes that providing information alone is not enough. To bring about behaviour change, a two-way communication between teachers and youth is required.

The Ministry of Education in Thailand has approved a program to teach every aspect of sex in their curriculum. Discussions also revolved also around managing peer pressure as opposed to resisting peer pressure. Most agreed that it was appropriate to use the term "manage" rather than "resist" because it was difficult for youth to say "no" to their peers. The inclusion of parents in teaching sex education to children was seen as valuable, establishing communication between parents and children on the subject of sex. Many youth learn about sex through various internet sites, and often misinformed. Curriculum development and training of trainers, especially teachers in health and sex education was discussed at length and the current research from the countries in the Asia Pacific show that teachers need more sensitising in health and sex education and talking about HIV/AIDS issues more openly with their students. Current research indicates that the various health education curriculum are presently inadequate in dealing with sex education. Beliefs such as, "if you talk more about sex, will lead to more promiscuity and promiscuous behaviour among youth" still persists in almost all the countries in the region.