title: Successes in sexual health communications development, programmatic implementation and evaluation in the Torres Strait region 2006 to 2012.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the Indigenous sexual health promotion program in the Torres Strait 2006-2012 that culminated in an education-entertainment radio drama, Kasa Por Yarn (KPY).
  
  
  METHODS
  A mixed methods approach applied to unpublished program documents and program-derived peer-reviewed publications was utilised.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Early initiatives established a strong partnership with Torres Strait Islander stakeholders. Significant community engagement throughout ensured a positive process. Telephone survey data (n=100, TSI, 15-24 years) found: 95% had heard of KPY and 80% listened to 2 or more episodes (reach); 86% recalled storylines/characters (recall); and 54% talked about KPY to family/friends (resonance). There was improvement in sexual health knowledge scores (p<0.00) in the 15-19-year-old Torres Strait Islander population between 2007 and 2012. The 2012 15-24-year-old population exposed to KPY had higher sexual health knowledge scores compared with those unexposed (p=0.02).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is an uncommon comprehensive evaluation of population-based sexual health communications strategies delivered over years in a remote Australian setting. The findings are encouraging but demonstrate that positive shifts take time and are incremental.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In addition to clinical strategies, strategic and sustained investment in sexual health promotion expertise that leads community partnership and program development is required to reduce youth risk and prevent HIV/AIDS in remote populations.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Tropical Medicine and Rehabilitation Sciences, James Cook University, Queensland.
authors.forename: Patricia S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Fagan
authors.affiliation: Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, Queensland.
authors.forename: Heather K
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.affiliation: Centre for Population Health, Burnet Institute, Victoria.
authors.forename: Alisa E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Pedrana
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology Section, ACT Health.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raulli
authors.affiliation: Centre for Excellence in Rural Sexual Health, University of Melbourne, Victoria.
authors.forename: Alan A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Crouch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D058015:Health Communication; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander; cultural integrity; remote health care; sexual health promotion