[:it]The project “HP/Healthy Peers: Peer education actions for a culture of sexual health and prevention” It responds to a dramatic Italian gap in the field of sexual health: a lack of knowledge about the prevention and sexual health needs of several key populations, and a lack of information from these same people.
Sexual health is a key yet under-recognized public health issue, not only for the most vulnerable population groups but for the entire community. A growing body of scientific research demonstrates that healthy, regular, and satisfying sexual activity has significant positive effects on physical health (e.g., strengthening the immune system, reducing cardiovascular risk, etc.) and mental health (e.g., subjective well-being, alleviation of anxiety, depression, etc.).
The general objective is to promote a culture of sexual health and well-being by increasing awareness of oneself, one's sexual health, needs, and prevention tools in individuals, strengthening the capacity for responsible self-determination, and reducing sexual health risks arising from Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), use/abuse/behavioral and substance addictions (e.g., chemsex), stigma, and minority stress.
The target groups addressed are those that are rarely targeted by prevention and health promotion programs or are extremely relevant from an epidemiological point of view, but receive little attention: LGBT+ and non-LGBT+ teenage girls and boys between the ages of 16 and 20, women who have sex with women (WSW), transgender people, LGBT+ people with disabilities, men who have sex with men (MSM) who are older adults and elderly (over 55); men who have sex with men (MSM) who are young and adult (21-54 years old); men who have sex with men (MSM) who use drugs in their sexual activity (chemsex).
The focus is on enhancing the well-being of the intended recipients with a positive approach to sexuality (Sex Positive). In line with the WHO, a positive approach to sexuality enhances individual and social resources to promote quality of life. A positive vision of sexuality focuses on pleasure, sensations, and emotional and affective aspects, rejecting performance-based and stigmatizing elements. This allows for a more natural and self-determined experience of sexuality, respecting the autonomy and needs of each individual, which can vary greatly from person to person and are impossible to achieve when compared to the standards and stereotypes that permeate sexuality.
The intermediate objectives of the project are:
- To identify and collect sexual health and prevention needs in various target groups;
- Develop meaningful and effective prevention messages and tools for different target groups, adopting a participatory construction methodology;
- Provide capacity-building for sexual health and prevention organizations, providing the tools to build a scalable and replicable network of sexual health peer educators across the country;
- Test and implement innovative peer education tools in the field;
- Reach the target audience with a web-based tool that disseminates information on sexual health and risk reduction, with strong interactive elements.
The project "HP/Healthy Peers – Peer education actions for a culture of sexual health and prevention" was funded by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies under Notice no. 1/2018 – Projects/Initiatives Year 2018 and implemented by:
– Arcigay Social Promotion Association, representative of the ATS;
– Arciragazzi
– GASP! Onlus – AIDS Prevention Health Group
– ODV CAMA – AIDS Patient Assistance Center, Provincial Headquarters of the Italian League for the Fight Against AIDS
– LILA Como Onlus – of the Italian League for the Fight against AIDS
– ODV LILA Cagliari Onlus
– LILA Tuscany
– LILA Trentino
Collaborating entities:
– Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome
– LILA National
– The White Rabbits
–> Go to the dedicated website
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