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 Exchange on HIV/AIDS, Sexuality and Gender
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Sexual Health Exchange, 1995 - no. 4

This section focuses on health promotion strategies, needs assessments, materials and methodology development and evaluation results.

Colombia

Eight "male clinics" run by PROFAMILIA, Colombia's Family Planning Association, have been contributing to men's sexual health since 1985. They offer information and specialized consultations in sexology, fertility, urology, gynaecology and general medicine. The staff also train medical personnel in the design and implementation of programmes focusing on vasectomies and male sexual health.

Clinic services include counselling, a free telephone hotline, vasectomy operations and STD diagnosis and treatment. They are advertised through television and radio campaigns as well as outreach work at schools, universities, workplaces and community centres.

Social workers receive clients at counselling units where comprehensive information is given on a wide range of subjects. If the men suspect they have an infection, their questions are answered using visual aids such as diagrams, drawings and pamphlets, and referrals are given. More than 44,000 clients have been referred to specialized consultations in this way. Sexologists further provide consultations for couples with sexual problems.

An HIV/AIDS programme began in 1990, focusing especially on promoting values, attitudes and behaviours consistent with responsible sexuality. HIV testing is offered together with pre- and post-test counselling. Condoms are also sold at a very low price; this resulted in distribution of 8 million units in 1994.

Over the years, the male clinics have become increasingly popular despite initial misgivings expressed by community members (e.g., men's beliefs that vasectomies might lead to decreased sexual potency and women's fears that such operations could induce their partners to become promiscuous). Clients range in age from 18-45 years and are typically married and employed with an average of eight years' schooling. Factors contributing to the clinics' success include the variety of services offered, their high medical and social quality and careful selection of staff at all levels.

Dr Alvaro Gutiérrez Martínez, PROFAMILIA, Calle 34, No. 14-52, Bogota D.C.Colombia; Tel: 57-1-232-9017; Fax: 57-1-287-5530


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