INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS SEXUAL HEALTH NETWORK (ISSHN)- Where to from here?
Ms Aditi Sharma1
1Center For Culture Ethnicity And Health, North Richmond, Australia
In the International Student sector there has been growing concern relating to the sexual and reproductive health of international students. Concerning data has emerged about the high numbers of unplanned pregnancies, higher incidence of sexually transmissible infections and blood borne viruses, including HIV, among international students. Researchers have identified factors such as a lack of sexual health education prior to arrival, social vulnerability, and culturally inappropriate health care in Australia have all contributed to this situation.
The International Students Sexual Health Network (ISSHN) was established in 2015, driven by a passionate advocate for international student sexual health from Deakin and supported by key organisations working in this space, including the Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health (CEH) and Burnet Institute.
In 2017 The Centre for Culture Ethnicity and Heath (CEH) became chair of ISSHN and has led it since. ISSHN provided a network to share information and research, discuss emerging issues and advocate for international students’ sexual health. ISSHN has driven important research and advocated for improved sexual and reproductive health outcomes, for example through submitting a policy paper to the Commonwealth Department of Health to revise the DEED governing International student’s health insurance and through investigating the sexual health related coverage of health insurance providers.
In recent years during the COVID-19 outbreak the key issues identified were a reduction in access to healthcare, lack of support around material aid, and overt racism. To address these issues members from ISSHN shared information to advocate for the needs of International students. These included but not limited to the following:
• Impact of COVID-19 on abortion access, by Children by Choice
• Sexual Health Information Pathways Project for International Students (SHIPP) recommendations by Women’s Health in the North.
• Catch-up care Campaign by CEH.
This presentation will share the above-mentioned findings, highlight the collaborations that are happening, and outline the future work that needs to be undertaken to improve international student’s sexual health.
Networks such as this require resources, passion and commitment, and it is time for CEH to share this privilege.
Biography:
Aditi Sharma ( pronouns she/her) is a Community Engagement and Projects officer at the Centre for Culture Ethnicity and Health. She has had extensive experience working with International students and diverse communities to improve their general health and well-being. This includes providing information around Sexual and reproductive Health, Blood born viruses, social advocacy and community engagement. Aditi also has a Master’s degree in Public Health.