| Dear WAS Members and Friends,
In this week's newsletter, we're focusing on STI Awareness Month, unveiling important findings from an STI study in Portugal. Plus we're encouraging you to register for April's free WAS Webinar and extending an invitation to the upcoming ASPEX 2024 retreat hosted by WAS Member Organization, Sex Coach U.
Keep reading to learn more. | | | WAS Webinar: EFS 2024 Preview | | Date: April 18, 2024
Time: 15:00 SAST
Find your local time here.
Mark your calendars for April's webinar, as we provide a glimpse into the European Federation for Sexology (EFS) conference scheduled for May 23-25 in Bologna, Italy.
This session will feature insights from Mehmet Sungur, President of EFS, who will be chairing the webinar. Joining him will be Stefano Bernardi, a Member of the Italian Center of Sexology C.I.S., Chairmaine Borg, Vice-Chair of the EFS Scientific Committee, Patricia Pascoal, Head of the Jury for Best Presentation, and Stefano Eleuteri, Board Member of WAS and EFS.
For more details on the EFS 2024 conference, visit the official website.
| | April marks STI Awareness Month—a crucial period dedicated to the education, prevention, and destigmatization of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). During this month, WAS joins health communities worldwide to highlight the profound impact STIs have on individuals of all ages and backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of testing, treatment, and honest conversations around sexual health.
We stress the central role of Comprehensive Sexuality Education in these matters.
STIs remain a global health concern, with the WHO estimating that over 1 million STIs are acquired every day worldwide. Despite their prevalence, STIs often go undiagnosed due to a lack of symptoms and stigma, leading to adverse long-term health consequences, including infertility and increased HIV risk.
STI Awareness Month is an opportunity to dismantle misconceptions and encourage individuals to engage in safe sexual practices. It is a time to promote the availability of confidential testing and underscore the advancements in treatment that can lead to full recovery or effective management of many STIs.
WAS advocates for Comprehensive Sexual Education, based on a sex-positive background, that encompasses the importance of regular screening and the availability of preventive measures such as vaccines and safer sex practices.
By raising awareness and facilitating open dialogue, WAS is committed to fostering a society where every individual has access to the necessary resources for sexual health and well-being in the perspective of Sexual Justice.
| | | Understanding STIs: Insights from Portugal's VCT Centers | | A compelling article published in WAS' official journal, the International Journal of Sexual Health (IJSH), offers valuable insights into the dynamics of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among users of Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing Centers (VCT C) in Portugal. Led by researchers Costa, Barbosa, Soares, McIntyre, and Pereira, it sheds light on the factors influencing STI rates within this community, illuminating the need for targeted sexual health education and intervention.
The study explored various socio-demographic, behavioral, and cognitive variables among 168 VCT C users, finding that older individuals, as well as gay or bisexual men, are at an increased risk of STIs, often hindered by barriers such as negative attitudes towards safer sex.
In response to these findings, the researchers advocate for education programs that target specific high-risk groups. These programs should focus on altering barriers to safer sex, such as challenging harmful health beliefs and promoting positive attitudes towards safe sexual behaviors.
WAS recognizes the significance of such research in informing our global efforts to curb the spread of STIs and supports initiatives aimed at delivering nuanced and effective sexual health education tailored to the needs of diverse populations.
| | | ASPEX 2024:
An Advanced Exploration in Sexual Health | | WAS is pleased to extend an invitation to ASPEX 2024, hosted by our member organization Sex Coach U (SCU). This advanced Sexual Attitude Reassessment and Restructuring (SAR) experience offers a rich, six-day retreat for professionals in sexuality education, therapy, and research seeking deeper engagement with human sexuality.
ASPEX is designed for a wide audience of sexuality professionals, from academics and doctors to researchers, and does not require prior completion of a SAR program. This makes ASPEX an inclusive opportunity for all professionals looking to enhance their understanding and practices in sexual health through an immersive, experiential learning approach.
Key features of ASPEX 2024 include:
- A dynamic exploration of sexual values, attitudes, and beliefs using the innovative MEBES™ holistic approach as a process.
- A supportive environment for personal growth and professional development.
- A "heal the healer" opportunity to dive deep into your own sexual journey.
- Valuable networking with peers and leading experts in sexology.
- A setting that combines serene nature with intensive learning at the Four Springs Retreat Center in Middletown, CA, from September 5-10, 2024.
SCU urges interested professionals to apply now, as applications close as soon as spots are filled. Space is intentionally limited to ensure a deeply personalized and impactful experience for all participants.
Don't miss this chance to enhance your expertise in sexual health at ASPEX 2024.
| | As we close for this week, we want to thank you for taking the time to engage with the topics that matter in our field. Awareness, research, and professional development are key to what we do at WAS, and your dedication to these areas makes all the difference.
Stay connected, stay informed, and here's to making strides in Sexual Health and Rights together.
Warm regards,
The World Association for Sexual Health
P.S. Don't forget to mark your calendars for these upcoming WAS events:
World Sexual Health Day on September 4, 2024. Join us as we celebrate and advocate for Sexual Health and Rights across the globe.
The 27th Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health in Brisbane, Australia, from June 16-19, 2025. We look forward to seeing you at this pivotal gathering for sharing research, insights, and advancements in Sexual Health and Rights. | | |  | |
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