After the inaugural SASHA conference in 2022, we knew that we have started something good, and that it would continue in the future to enhance sexual health in Southern Africa.

In 2022 we aimed to bring everyone and everything in sexual health together with our theme, Merging the Mosaic. Building on this theme, the conference this year will focus on the dynamics within the interprofessional team, and the skills and practical approach to improve sexual health from different and new perspectives. We will look a bit further than the obvious and discover new and innovative ways of managing the variety of factors that contribute to the different aspects of sexual health.

The conference speaks to an interprofessional audience focusing on a biopsychosocial (-cultural) approach to the management of sexual health. Keynote addresses will cover topics such as Sexual Compulsive Behaviour and Desire Discrepancy. Amongst some of the other topics that will be covered are Interstitial Cystitis and Female Sexual Function, as well as the Contemporary use of Hormones. This year the workshops will not run parallel with other tracks, but will form part of the main conference programme to ensure accessibility to everyone who is interested in attending. The workshops will have a practical focus and will be on Adolescent Sexual Health, while the second workshop will cover the topic of Asexuality.

We encourage everyone, and especially our students, to share their work in the field of sexual health by submitting their abstracts. Accepted abstracts will be slotted into the main programme based on their topics. We are introducing special awards this year to recognise the contributions and work, particularly submitted by our students. They are indeed the future of sexual health in Southern Africa.

Conferences are however not only there to learn, but it also is a unique opportunity for networking and future collaborations. We are looking forward to meeting you in person and have some innovative conversations with you during the networking session and cocktail function.

The sky is the limit!

Prof Corlia Brandt
President: Southern African Sexual Health Association