Mathew Nyashanu (Cert.Ed,Dip.Ed,B.Ed,MA,MPH)

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Mathew Nyashanu (Cert.Ed,Dip.Ed,B.Ed,MA,MPH)

• Senior Lecturer (Public Health and Well-being).
  University of Wolverhampton

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Engaging Sub-Sahara African communities

• Exploring the challenges, skills and strategies
  in engaging the Sub-Sahara African(SSA)
  communities and their gatekeepers in the English
  West Midlands region.

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Background

• Two thirds of people living with HIV are from
  this region
• 30 of the people accessing HIV services in the
  UK are of Sub-Sahara origin yet they are less
  than 1 of the population.
• HIV and Sexual health issues are sensitive issues
  in the communities in question.

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Challenges of engaging gatekeepers

• Fear of losing status/ownership/influence on the
  communities.
• Sensitivity of the subject.
• Protecting the community against stereotyping and
  falsehoods.
• Bad image depiction of the community.
• Suspicion.
• Stigma.

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Challenges of Engaging Sub-Sahara African
communities

• Culturally unfriendly services.
• Fear of discrimination.
• Sexual health as a marginalised issue.
• Stigma.
• Denial.

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Skills and strategies for engaging Sub-Sahara
African communities

• Networking
• Co-ordination.
• Cultural sensitivity
• Capacity building

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Any Questions

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