November 2023: The year at a glance

PMA CONFERENCE 2023, RAROTONGA

This year our team set out to share our findings with youth and our community.

In September, our research officer Tengihia (Tia) Pousini presented at the Pasifika Medical Association Conference in Rarotonga. She reflected on meeting Dr Debi Futter-Puati who conducted similar work on sexuality education in the Cook Islands.

“We shared some reflections from our research journeys, particularly around the challenges with improving school curriculum, so that they reflect the needs of students. Schools are under-resourced, and our teachers would need that additional support from external organisations who are competent in sexual and reproductive health education delivery. While this research advocates for these changes, it also challenges how we can transform research so that it is more meaningful and useful - this is where Set Tiko comes in”

LEFT TO RIGHT: Tia and Dr Ite exhibiting at the Sexual Health Society Conference October 2023

ASRH CONFERENCE 2023, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

One of our youth advocates Pauliasi (Pau) Bauleka attended the Australasian Sexual and Reproductive Health Conference in Sydney and shared some reflections:

Dr Ite used the Fijian idiom “tu na inima, ka luvu na waqa” as a reflection on her project, and as the young person on the team I couldn’t agree more. The phrase means “the bail for the water is there yet the boat still sinks” it is a link to how the answers are right there, yet we still don’t utilize it. In this case it's youth. I must admit that when I first heard about giving my insights on sexual and reproductive health education, as a 16-year-old teen I wasn’t the most mature in my thinking (but then again, WHO IS?!).

I am now nearing 20 after spending nearly 4 years with this amazing team and to see the inner workings, the stats, and our responses I couldn’t be more than honoured to be on this project. It’s a big step to improving SRH standards for our Pacific people, especially my fellow young people. We have some exciting and engaging plans to contribute to the work in this space and I count myself truly blessed to be mentored by Dr Ite and the rest of the team for the project and where it is headed.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Dr Radilaite cammock, Pauliasi Bauleka, and Associate Professor Sione Vaka take on sydney!

NZ SEXUAL HEALTH SOCIETY CONFERENCE 2023, AUCKLAND

In October, we exhibited at the NZ Sexual Health Society at Auckland Hospital. There we connected with PSSP Auckland (Peer Sexuality Support Programme). This is a programme that has made a huge difference across many high schools in providing education sessions around STIs, safer sex and other sexual health topics.

Samora Kake who is the Education Unit Coordinator facilitated the student voices for Sexual Health in High School panel. A student from the panel shared an important message for educators to “Trust your students".

From our research, ‘trust’ was a key determinant influencing whether Pacific youth shared their experiences with others outside of the home. ‘Trust’ was nurtured through shared experiences with teachers and health professionals. Dr Radilaite (Ite) Cammock states Pacific youth “search for connection through Pacific heritage and experts understanding of Pacific realities” especially when considering their counsellors, educators and peers as confidantes for advice and support.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Samora Kake and Dr Ite