The BSc (Hons) Midwifery student organisation Organizzazzjoni Studenti Qwiebel (OSQ) recently held a two-day outreach event on university campus to raise awareness among students on sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The two-day event was held in collaboration with the Health Promotion Department and was sponsored by the Vodafone Malta Foundation.
The event made students aware of the variety of infections that can be acquired through sexual activity. Fact sheets provided by the Health Promotion Department containing information on STI infections, how they are transmitted and how they can be prevented, were handed out. Midwifery students were able to share their knowledge with others and, through a number of activities, broach the sensitive subject.
Dr Philip Carabott, Head of the Genitourinary Clinic (GU) gave a talk in the KSU common room about STIs in Malta and about the role of the GU clinic. He also gave detailed accounts of each of the different infections, and also how these can affect mother and baby during pregnancy and labour.
Fourth year pharmacy student Angie Marie Brincat presented her dissertation on the knowledge of human papillomavirus infection and prophylaxis in young females, patients visiting the GU and healthcare providers in Malta. The workshop ‘Let’s talk about STIs’ tackled questions put by participants in small groups.
“Talking about STIs remains taboo among university students and an embarrassing topic to discuss,” said Francesca Galvagno, PRO and Events Officer of OSQ. “But the feedback after the activities was very positive and extremely encouraging and the high rate of participation shows significant interest. Our organisation thanks the students who helped organise the event, the Health Promotion Department, the GU and Dr Carabott, Vodafone Malta Foundation, our Head of Department Dr R. Borg Xuereb and our lecturers for their continuous support.”
“It was a great opportunity for the Foundation to be present on Campus through this initiative and to be able to support health issues among such a large captive audience of young people,” said Gemma Mifsud Bonnici, chairperson of the Vodafone Malta Foundation. “We are sure this collective effort will reap positive results.”
OSQ was founded in 2009 to represent midwifery students on a national level, improve academic standards, organise educational and social events for midwifery students and educate the public on the midwife’s role and on other health aspects related to midwifery. OSQ can be contacted on Facebook or by e-mail on [email protected].