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REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH Improving Young Adult Reproductive Health This global study seeks to change the reproductive knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of male and female adolescents in Bangladesh, Kenya, Mexico, and Senegal through interventions in communities, schools, and health systems. The study is determining and comparing the feasibility, effectiveness, and cost of multifaceted interventions that foster a supportive environment for addressing the reproductive health information and service needs of adolescents ages 10–14 and 15–19 years. The interventions aim to delay the onset of sexual activity, decrease risky behavior among those adolescents who are sexually active, and improve the reproductive health knowledge and use of services for both married and unmarried adolescents. To increase the likelihood of sustainability and replication, the project seeks to minimize the costs needed to introduce the interventions through maximizing the use of existing networks and organizations. During 2002 interventions were completed in all countries. In Bangladesh and Mexico, collection of postintervention data was completed. It is ongoing in Kenya and Senegal. Despite the fact that data analysis and dissemination have not yet occurred, there is growing interest in several countries in scaling up the interventions. In Bangladesh, for example, 123 additional teachers were trained to use the reproductive health curriculum developed by the project, and it will be introduced in 34 new schools beyond the project area. In Senegal, the Ministry of Health plans to introduce a national youth program and is tracking the study’s progress. Discussions have already begun in Kenya with relevant ministries concerning institutionalizing activities that have proven feasible. This page updated |
