title: WHO guideline for brief sexuality-related communication: implications for STI/HIV policy and practice.
abstract: Brief sexuality-related communication (BSC) aims to identify current and potential sexual concerns and motivate those at risk to change their sexual behaviour or maintain safe sexual behaviour. BSC in primary health care can range from 5 to 60 minutes and takes into account biological, psychological and social dimensions of sexual health and wellbeing. It focuses on opportunistic rather than systematic or continuous communication and can be used in conjunction with already established prevention programs. The informational and motivational techniques of BSC enable health care providers to communicate more effectively with their patients, encouraging them to take steps to avoid HIV and sexually transmitted infections. The WHO Department of Reproductive Health and Research, following a review and assessment of existing evidence with regards to BSC, has recently published the guideline on Brief Sexuality-Related Communication: Recommendations for a Public Health Approach.
authors.affiliation: Scientist, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: toskini@who.int.
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Toskin
authors.affiliation: Consultant, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Bergen
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.affiliation: UNESCO Chair Sexual Health and Human Rights.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Troussier
authors.affiliation: Visiting Professor, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrandd.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Klugman
authors.affiliation: Profa-consulations santé sexuelle, Lausanne.
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kulier
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Venkatraman
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chandra-Mouli
authors.affiliation: Director, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Marleen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Temmerman
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration*; D057766:Policy; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*
keywords: HIV; behaviour change communication; health policy; health promotion; prevention; sexually transmitted infection; training