Sea, sand and safer sex: an alliance for HIV/AIDS prevention

This chapter describes how a health authority took the lead role in bringing together statutory, voluntary and commercial organisations to work to prevent the potential spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV and AIDS, in the form of a health alliance. This strategy recognises that each sector of the population needs a different approach, requiring close collaboration between those who have the skills and expertise, and those who identify with target audiences. This three-year project was designed to raise public awareness, by educating young people and those engaged in high-risk sexual behaviour, of the need to protect themselves and to change high-risk to risk-reduction sexual activities. The project was centred on the Torbay coastal area.