AEGiS-PRn: Scientific Advisory Group On Education (S A G E) To Develop Global 'Train the Trainer' And Outreach Program For Female Condom

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1996. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Scientific Advisory Group On Education (S A G E) To Develop Global 'Train the Trainer' And Outreach Program For Female Condom

PR Newswire, 810 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019 - Tuesday, 29 October 1996.

CHICAGO, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- With the goal of integrating balanced, accurate information about the female condom throughout all levels of safer sex education, a working group comprising public health professionals from the U.S. and the U.K. met for the second time on Oct. 21-22. The Scientific Advisory Group on Education (SAGE), formed in May, 1996, serves as an advisory committee to The Female Health Foundation. As such, SAGE is exploring ways and means for developing understanding and use of the female condom around the world.

Development of a worldwide educational model for the female condom is particularly timely, since the manufacturer of the world's only female condom is currently working closely with UNAIDS, in collaboration with the World Health Organization and other relevant partners, to facilitate a global public sector price. This will enable public health departments of the United Nations' 193 member countries to purchase the female condom in bulk and make it available to help stem the spread of HIV/AIDS, other STDs as well as unintended pregnancy. The educational model program, designed for the United States and the rest of the world, will support providers and counselors in communicating effectively about the need for and use of the first condom which is controlled by women.

"The female condom represents a critical step forward for women and their sexual partners," said SAGE honorary Chairperson, Zena Stein, M.D., Director of Columbia University's HIV Center. "Providers of safer-sex advice and counseling must understand all of the aspects about using the female condom so they can easily present it as an important and appealing new option. One of the main objectives for SAGE, based on our collective experience working with the female condom, will be to advise the Female Health Foundation on effective educational methods and materials to support outreach to providers and ultimately, to consumers."

SAGE members concurred that its educational program strategy will address important aspects of introducing a new method of prevention. A model "train the trainer" and community outreach program will include materials which will be available to global public sector organizations which teach health-care providers, educators, peer counselors and consumers about the female condom. The program will help counselors explain the new potential lifesaver in a manner that is adaptable to numerous countries and cultures.

The Female Health Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to providing educational outreach and support to community based public-sector programs worldwide.

LIST OF SAGE MEMBERS:

Sharon A. Baker, Ph.D., University of Washington School of Social Work

Patricia Coffey, Ph.D., M.P.H., Western Consortium for Public Health Population Leadership Program

Jim Dickes, D.V.M., M.P.H., Chicago Department of Public Health Director, Communicable Disease Research

Pamela French, M.D., M.P.H., Philadelphia Department of Public Health - Medical Director, Health Center #1

Erica Gollub, D.P.H., Philadelphia Department of Public Health Director of AIDS Epidemiology

Virginia Gonzales, M.S.W., M.P.H., Ed.D., University of Washington - Center for Health, Education and Research

Romina Kee, M.D., Chicago Department of Public Health Medical Director, Near South Specialty Center

Carol Rogers, P.A., Philadelphia Department of Public Health Female Condom Initiative Coordinator

Pramilla Senanayake, M.D., Ph.D., International Planned Parenthood Federation - Assistant Secretary General

Zena Stein, M.D., Columbia University Director, HIV Center

Elizabeth Warnick, Population Services International Marketing Manager

SOURCE Scientific Advisory Group on Education

CONTACT: Mary Ann Leeper, Ph.D., 312-280-0163, for Scientific Advisory Group on Education

Keywords: CONDOMS; HIV

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