Free classes on wellbeing and health

The Office of Minority Health Resource Cente has developed a culturally-relevant curriculum on sexuality in Micronesia within an HIV and AIDS context to address the myths and misconceptions and strategies in initiating crucial dialogue about sex and disease prevention. (Contributed Photo)

The Division of Public Health Services under the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. is looking to recruit 25 Chamorro men and women, ages 18 years old and above, to participate in the implementation of a 10-lesson curriculum titled, “Navigating Personal Wellbeing and Sexuality.”

This curriculum was developed by the Office of Minority Health Resource Center after conducting an evaluation identifying the need for capacity building in the U.S-affiliated Pacific jurisdictions in 2009.

The evaluation indicated that discrimination and shame still remain as barriers to health seeking behaviors in the Micronesian region.

Health delivery systems and prevention efforts are often challenged by certain misconceptions and taboos about sex and sexuality. Hence, the evaluation identified the need for the development of a culturally competent curriculum on human sexuality and HIV and AIDS related discrimination and shame among Chamorros.  
In an effort to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV transmission among residents of Guam, the CNMI, and Chuuk, the OMHRC embarked on the development of learning resources about sex, human sexuality and sexual orientation that reflect the Chamorro’s and Chuukese’s unique cultures and histories, attitudes, beliefs, and learning styles.    

The OMHRC developed a culturally-relevant curriculum on sexuality in Micronesia within an HIV and AIDS context to address the myths and misconceptions and strategies in initiating crucial dialogue about sex and disease prevention by offering those at-risk with information to make informed and sound decisions about sex and sexuality, fostering open and honest discussions about sex, and by contributing to people’s positive and safe experiences of sexuality. In addition, the curriculum also incorporated general well-being lessons around the topics of family violence, drug and alcohol use/misuse, suicide prevention, and working together for a better community.  

The impact objective in running the curriculum is for at least 70 percent of the participants attending the workshops will increase their knowledge and skill set on HIV/STD prevention education. The information will be evaluated for usefulness and behavior change on Saipan.  

The lessons will be taught over five days on Aug. 21 and Sept. 13, 14, 20, and 21, 2018, between 5:30pm and 7pm at the Kanoa Resort.  

If you are interested and would like to register to participate or if you learn more information about the curriculum, you can call 664-4050.  Seats are limited with registration on a first-come-first-serve basis. The last day to register is on Aug. 16, 2018. (PR)