Teaching the teachers: building confidence and support to tackle difficult subjects.

Teachers assigned to teach courses on sexuality HIV/AIDS and relationship skills need special training to increase their knowledge and comfort levels. In Thailand prior to a training program many teachers found difficulty in leading a discussion regarding sexual health and anatomy and expressed discomfort with the idea of demonstrating condom use to students. However after attending a 4- day training session Thai teachers said they felt more comfortable discussing such sensitive topics as sexual intercourse negotiation skills condom use and male genitalia with students. A questionnaire administered to teachers in Mexico after their training course also revealed higher levels of confidence and self-esteem.