Women's Health Connect Project: Sexual health promotion for female international students 2011

In response to the high number of unplanned pregnancies and abortions in female international students in Australia, the Multicultural Centre for Women's Health implemented a sexual health promotion program that aimed to build the capacity of female international students in the City of Melbourne to improve their health and wellbeing, with a focus on sexual health.

The MCWH Sexual Health Promotion Program for Female International Students was implemented from May 2009 to May 2011. An extensive consultation was undertaken to gain an understanding of the key sexual health issues affecting female international students, and to identify culturally-appropriate health promotion strategies for international female students. Subsequently, multilingual health education and information was provided to female international students in educational institutions and student-specific services, and at international student events. Evaluation of education activities was also undertaken.

Unplanned pregnancy, abortion, sexually transmitted infections, and violence are significant sexual health concerns affecting the female international student population. These poor sexual health outcomes are symptomatic of a combination of factors. Sexual health knowledge of female international students is limited, and students do not possess the skills required to participate in the sexual decision-making process. Students' access to health care in Australia is poor due to a lack of understanding of the Australian health system and their health insurance entitlements. Complicating these factors are dynamics of the immigration experience, which either encourage sexual experimentation, or necessitate engagement in unhealthy relationships.

A multi-faceted approach is required to improve sexual health outcomes in female international students, including: greater local, state/territory and federal government support for student wellbeing initiatives; sexual health promotion programs for international students in educational institutions and student-specific services; social inclusion programs that foster interaction between international students and the wider community; enhanced collaboration between agencies, educational institutions and international student-friendly health and community services; evaluation and data collection; and legislative and policy reform.