15. RISKS, CHOICES AND CONSEQUENCES: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND SEXUAL HEALTH PROMOTION

Abstract

International students are the 4^th most revenue raising industry in Australia brining in $6 billion in 2006. December 2006 reports show 383 818 international students were enrolled across Australia with 61 019 in Queensland. The vast majority of students come from Asian countries with a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and STIs combined with minimal sexual health knowledge.

Through workshops and discussion groups with international students they have been identified as a high risk in relation to sexual health problems due to their lack of sexual health knowledge, their tendency to engage in risk behaviour without adequate knowledge of risks, consequences and protection mechanisms. As a result, sexual health issues are increasingly presenting to professionals working directly with international students and health services in claims related to pregnancy, abortion rates, sexual assault, rape and reports of international students from high risk countries found to be HIV+.

Further, international students reported receiving no information prior to arrival and on arrival of risk behaviour, safety issues, health or laws in Australia. In order to promote safe sex behaviour among international students we have formulated various strategies to raise awareness of international students, from print material on arrival, to information stalls at O-week, intermittent workshops for international students, student leaders and professionals working directly with international students. The feedback from the students is very positive and new strategies are being developed to target students facing language barriers.

Our program findings demonstrate that the international student population is a high risk group facing sexual health issues where increased education and support must occur to prevent and reduce sexual health related problems.