The O-Week campaign demonstrated the value of resource sharing and interactive methods for engaging student cohorts from diverse backgrounds.
It was identified through a previous pilot project with Swinburne University that Orientation Week (O-Week) events provided access to a large student audience who would likely be receptive to public health engagement.
NEPHU used feedback from the pilot project to design interactive activities and games to strengthen engagement and build knowledge relating to vaping, sexual and reproductive health, and healthy eating amongst the student populations. Information handouts were provided in English, simplified Chinese, Arabic and Punjabi which included information on safe sex, consent, and connecting to care as an international resident.
The NEPHU team also distributed free condoms and students were given keep-cups, notepads and pens as incentives for engaging in health promotion quizzes to encourage learning.
More than 340 students were engaged in face-to-face public health-related conversations during the O-Week campaign, with another 200 engaged at sexual health events following the O-Week period. Engagement with students identified knowledge gaps and provided opportunities for students to increase their knowledge and understand about where to access further support and/or information.
NEPHU’s involvement in O-Week was a standout effort because it created a meaningful connection with students at a crucial point in their academic journey. By addressing critical public health issues like vaping, sexual health, and nutrition, NEPHU empowered students to make informed decisions about their wellbeing. The campaign’s success lay in its interactive, engaging approach, combining education with direct outreach, ensuring that students received accessible, relevant health information in an engaging and memorable way.
Building on the success of our O-Week engagement, NEPHU will continue to collaborate with universities and TAFEs to address relevant public health issues during similar events. By maintaining these partnerships, we aim to ensure that students receive timely, targeted information on vital health topics. Our upcoming efforts will concentrate on enhancing engagement strategies, ensuring that interactions with NEPHU are not only informative but also impactful, creating a lasting positive influence on student health and wellbeing.
