Leeds Primary Care Trust, Contraception and Sexual Health (CaSH) has launched a awareness campaign hoping to break the taboo surrounding the subject within the Asian community.

The inauguration event, held in Briggate, was designed to raise awareness of CaSH and to encourage people to use this service.

Many commented that they would never have entered a local clinic and supported the event in bringing sexual advice in a safe and supportive atmosphere.

Five Asian boys returned to the marquee, as the event was drawing to a close, to hand the organisers a rose each as a thank you for the advice and support given.

This service, and similar services across the country, does not encourage sexual activity. It does, however, provide advice to sexually active people to ensure that those engaged in an intimate relationship practice safe sex and remain healthy.

For one local Asian girl an innovative peer support project at Leeds Thomas Danby College, supported by Leeds PCT, has helped her to develop detailed knowledge of health issues including sexual health.

Since taking part in the peer support project, she feels that there is a need for Asian people to understand that sexual health is just as important as other areas of health and wellbeing.

Prior to taking part in the project she concedes she didn't have a clue' about the sexual health services available in Leeds.

She believes that teachers and classroom mentors have a crucial role to play in engaging with young people, particularly members of the Asian community.

She feels that people from these communities are embarrassed to talk to health care workers and family doctors as they know other members of their families as well as their friends.

Speaking about her experience she said: "Asian people by their very nature are conservative due to cultural and religious obligations.

"When I told my mum about my involvement in the project she was very apprehensive and felt uncomfortable with the whole idea.

"She gradually came round and understood my reasons for embarking on this course yet even now there is an acknowledgement that we do not openly discuss any matters relating to sex and sexual health.

"One thing she has realised is that I'm not promoting what could be seen to be immoral sexual activity and I think that is important as often there can be misunderstanding as soon as the word sex is mentioned."

Anita Jones, Health Improvement Specialist within the Sexual Health Team at Leeds PCT said; "The peer support project is a pioneering new approach to tackling issues around the health of young people especially concerning issues around sexual health where they are likely to be more comfortable talking to their peers.

"Just like any other young people Asians are more confident speaking to like minded people of a similar age and those that they can relate to. We were delighted when this particular peer supporter came on board as it allowed us to reach out to students we were unable to do so previously and I am sure she will have highlighted these issues with people outside college."

Twenty one GP surgeries around Leeds are offering an open access clinic at their surgeries specifically for young people.

"This is run by a friendly, supportive trained nurse who is there to help with any aspect of a young person's health. Young people can get a free and confidential WELL health check (MOT) which will help them with issues such as smoking and alcohol.

It is clear from the results of the recent survey carried out by the CaSH team and from the experiences of the peer supporter that we can not ignore concerns around sexual health or continue to shun the support available.