About the course
The Sexual Health for Primary Health Care Providers course strengthens knowledge of sexual health as an essential component of overall well-being. It covers topics such as effective communication, gender, sexual health throughout the life course, common patient concerns, and the prevention of sexual violence. The course aims to promote inclusive, respectful, and rights-based care to improve the quality of health services.
Course modality
Self-learning (self-paced)
Course duration
20 hours
Purpose
The purpose of this course is to provide individuals and organizations with the tools to understand this concept and identify different aspects of sexual health.
Objectives
-
Recognize the importance of sexual health as a holistic component of overall well-being, and its connection to sexual rights.
-
Underscore the importance of effective communication about sexual health among health service providers and users, both in personal consultations and in community settings.
-
Explore how sexuality evolves throughout the life course to address individuals concerns appropriately, regardless of their age.
-
Familiarize primary health care providers with the most common concerns, questions and problems related to sexual health that arise in consultations.
-
Integrate professional conduct, a polite approach and the prevention and clinical management of sexual violence as essential components of users’ well-being, regardless of their demographic and cultural background.
-
Propose participative efforts in addressing cases of neglect and violence that may affect the sexual health and well-being of individuals, couples, families and communities.
-
Take action to prevent, contain, interrupt and report cases of sexual violence.
Competencies
-
Apply a comprehensive sexual health approach based on rights, equity, and well-being.
-
Communicate effectively, respectfully, and empathetically with individuals and communities on sexual health topics.
-
Integrate a gender perspective into health care, recognizing and addressing inequalities and biases.
-
Identify and respond to sexual health needs throughout the life course.
-
Address common sexual health concerns and questions using evidence-based practices.
-
Promote the prevention, identification, management, and referral of sexual violence cases with professionalism, ethics, and quality care standards.
Course Structure
- M1: Introduction to Sexual Health
- M2: The Importance of Communication
- M3: Gender and Sexual Health
- M4: Sexual Health and Life Course
- M5: Users’ Main Questions and Concerns
- M6: Preventing Sexual Violence
Course duration
This course certifies 12 hours.
Course Modality
The course is open and available at the Virtual Campus of Public Health (VCPH) of the PAHO/WHO and promoted on the website of the World Association for Sexology (WAS). As it is a self-learning course, in which participants can manage their own time and dedication.
Evaluation and Certification
By the end of the six modules, participants must complete the final assessment consisting of 20 multiple-choice questions and a true-or-false exercise.
The final assessment is designed to allow participants to answer correctly until they achieve the passing score of at least 70%, with different sets of questions at each attempt per module.
To obtain the certificate of completion, the participant must meet the following requirements:
• Completion of all modules.
• Successful completion of the verification checks.
• Passing score on the final assessment.
Participants who fulfill these requirements and complete the Virtual Campus for Public Health satisfaction survey will be able to download the approval certificate issued by the Pan American Health Organization and the World Association for Sexual Health.