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Ismat Bhuiya,
Mustafizur Rahman, and Asiful Haidar Chowdhury. "Empowering young
people on sexual and reproductive health: Experience from an
intervention study in Bangladesh."
ABSTRACT
Rationale
Young people do not have access to sexual and reproductive
health (SRH) information and services and lack skills in negotiating
sexual relationships. As a result, they get involved in high-risk
sexual behavior and suffer from sexually transmitted infections
(STIs). In view of the above, the
Population Council and the Ministry of Youth and Sports designed an
intervention study during 2004–2005 for youth club members.
Objective
To empower youth by imparting skills and providing services to
enable them to make safe sex decisions.
Methodology
A quasi-experimental design with two intervention strategies was
used. Strategy I included life-skills education (LSE) on SRH along
with a condom service, while Strategy II included only LSE on SRH.
The control group received no interventions. Twelve youth clubs were
selected from Dhaka district and randomly assigned to the
experimental and control groups. Male youth were trained to impart
LSE on SRH and to sell condoms to their peers. Gatekeepers were sensitized and involved in the study.
Findings and conclusions
The interventions resulted in a significant increase in the
knowledge of youth about STIs/HIV, contraceptive methods, and the health
risks of teen pregnancy.
Track 2—Enabling and Realizing Young People’s Potential in Improving
Sexual and Reproductive Health
Theme 2.8—Young People in Difficult Situations: Ensuring Their
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
Wednesday, 31 October 2007,
1:30–3:00
pm
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