Teaching Modules for Basic Education in Human Sexuality

A series of five teaching modules designed to help nurses and other health workers improve their communication and counseling skills when dealing with questions of human sexuality. Noting that these questions are rarely included in formal training, the manual aims to encourage nurses to understand the importance of sexuality to health, recognize the role played by their own attitudes and beliefs, and provide advice to clients in a comfortable non-judgmental way. Although human sexuality is considered in all its diverse expressions, particular attention is given to behaviors that can increase the risk of unplanned pregnancies or encourage the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Throughout the manual, numerous exercises and problem-based classroom activities are used to help students gain experience when addressing sensitive sexual issues. The first module introduces various definitions and concepts of human sexuality and sexual health. The second module explains the development of human sexuality, both at different stages in the life cycle and as perceived at different times in history. Module three, on sexual activities, aims to facilitate a non-judgmental understanding of the different sexual activities in which people engage, including behaviors that carry a risk of HIV transmission. Module four offers practice in providing health care and counseling for homosexuals and bisexuals. Training in how to take a sexual history is provided in the final module, which includes suggested sets of questions for different sexes and different situations.