HEALTH EDUCATION APP PROVIDING SEXUAL HEALTH SUPPORT TO RANGATAHI

A mobile app providing sex, sexuality, relationship, gender, and identity education for New Zealandersaged 13to 24yearsis underdevelopmentatthe Universityof Canterbury, with support from Pegasus. Faculty of Health Lecturer Tracy Clelland, Master’s student Cate Mentink and Health EducatorJessicaMcQuoidarethedrivingforcebehindtheappcalledTePuāwaitanga: Beyond the Birds & Bees. “Te Puāwaitangawillbeaone stop shopforyoungpeopleforresourceson relationships, sex, and sexuality,” Jessica said. The project began in 2020 with Cate Mentink completing focus groups with young people.Theresults showedthat youthstruggledto find quality,reliable information about sex, relationships, and sexuality. “They told us an app is what they wanted. In particular, it was highlighted that relationshipsand sexualityeducation has notbeen meetingthe needsofour Māori and Pasifikarangatahi,”Cate said. With funding from KiwiNet and Pegasus, a working prototype has now been developed. The next step is to take this to young people to get their feedback and involve them in further co-development. Pegasus DirectorofHauora Māori andEquityIrihāpetiMahuika hasabackground in teaching and a passion for ensuring sexual health education is accessible and in a form that young people are going to use. “We are so pleased to be able to contribute to the work Tracy and Jessica are doing,” Irihāpetisaid. For young people where social interaction is at the centre of their world, access to quality health information is increasingly important. “Te Puāwaitangaisanopportunity forourgeneral practiceteams to havesomething to referour youngpeopleto,” Irihāpetisaid. The app is available for Android users on Google Play.