BSA health education resources being reviewed

There are currently nine pamphlets, two booklets, three posters and five information sheets available. Four of the pamphlets are printed in multiple languages and posters are available in six Pacific languages.

The literacy services organisation Workbase has been contracted to undertake an independent needs assessment of the current resources. They are talking to women in Auckland, Waikato and Taranaki – mainly Māori and Pacific women – and to BSA service providers.

BSA Programme Manager Maree Pierce says the needs assessment will determine which BSA health education resources are most needed, how to make them accessible to women, and if they are appropriate.

‘The resources are really important tools to promote the programme and raise awareness of the importance of breast screening. They assist women to make an informed choice on whether or not to participate in the programme.’

Once the needs assessment has been completed, Workbase will make recommendations to BSA about refreshing the existing resources. This may include a new look, new information and new translations. Any refreshed resources will then be consumer tested.

In the meantime, there has been a photo shoot in a studio and at an Auckland church to replace BSA images where talent contracts have expired.

‘We had fantastic volunteers from BSA lead providers, independent service providers and local Auckland communities, who generously gave their time for the photo shoot,’ says Maree.

‘We really appreciate their efforts and we got some great photos to use in any updated BSA public education resources.’