Tukisiviit – Do You Understand? Inuit Sexual Health Glossary of Terms
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Ottawa, ON (November 6, 2012) Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada launched a glossary of terms for sexual health, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C termininology titled Tukisiviit – Do You Understand? “This highly anticipated Tukisiviit glossary is Pauktuutit’s newest sexual health resource for Inuit. It is intended to provide Inuit patients and caregivers, as well as health care professionals, plain language information in English and five major dialects of Inuktitut” said Rebecca Kudloo, Interim President of Pauktuutit.
In February 2012, Pauktuutit hosted The Tukisiviit National Inuit Sexual Health Literacy Forum in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador. The forum brought together linguistic experts from all regions, sexual health content experts, community health and social service providers, AIDS service organizations, land claims organization representatives, educators, elders and youth, with a focus on addressing the lack of sexual health and HIV/AIDS terminology and the unique differences of dialects in Inuit regions. Through this forum Tukisiviit – Do You Understand? was created.
Since the early 1990s Pauktuutit has done extensive work from a holistic perspective in this area, however ongoing efforts are required to inform health practitioners and community members about the nature and range of available prevention and education materials. This is particularly important in the Arctic context, given the highly transient nature of health care providers in Inuit communties.
Pauktuutit plans to launch Tukisiviit – Do You Understand? in all of the Inuit regions and will have a national launch at the AGM in March 2013. The glossary is available on Pauktuutit’s website.
Pauktuutit encourages Inuit and health service providers to use this glossary of terms to improve communication and understanding of sexual health terms. For more information please visit www.pauktuutit.ca.
Media Contact
Geri Bailey, Manager, Health Policy and Programs
© 613-601-3977
gbailey@pauktuutit.ca
aaningmiuq@pauktuutit.ca
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