scholarly journals Engaging young people in the design of a sexual reproductive health intervention: Lessons learnt from the Yathu Yathu (“For us, by us”) formative study in Zambia

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melvin Simuyaba ◽  
Bernadette Hensen ◽  
Mwelwa Phiri ◽  
Chisanga Mwansa ◽  
Lawrence Mwenge ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Meeting the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of adolescents and young people (AYP) requires their meaningful engagement in intervention design. We describe an iterative process of engaging AYP to finalise the design of a community-based, peer-led and incentivised SRH intervention for AYP aged 15–24 in Lusaka and the lessons learnt. Methods Between November 2018 and March 2019, 18 focus group discussions, eight in-depth interviews and six observations were conducted to assess AYP’s knowledge of HIV/SRH services, factors influencing AYP’s sexual behaviour and elicit views on core elements of a proposed intervention, including: community-based spaces (hubs) for service delivery, type of service providers and incentivising service use through prevention points cards (PPC; “loyalty” cards to gain points for accessing services and redeem these for rewards). A total of 230 AYP (15 participated twice in different research activities) and 21 adults (only participated in the community mapping discussions) participated in the research. Participants were purposively selected based on age, sex, where they lived and their roles in the study communities. Data were analysed thematically. Results Alcohol and drug abuse, peer pressure, poverty, unemployment and limited recreation facilities influenced AYP’s sexual behaviours. Adolescent boys and young men lacked knowledge of contraceptive services and all AYP of pre and post exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention. AYP stated a preference for accessing services at “hubs” located in the community rather than the health facility. AYP considered the age, sex and training of the providers when choosing whom they were comfortable accessing services from. PPCs were acceptable among AYP despite the loyalty card concept being new to them. AYP suggested financial and school support, electronic devices, clothing and food supplies as rewards. Conclusions Engaging AYP in the design of an SRH intervention was feasible, informative and considered responsive to their needs. Although AYP’s suggestions were diverse, the iterative process of AYP engagement facilitated the design of an intervention that is informed by AYP and implementable. Trial registration This formative study informed the design of this trial: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04060420. Registered 19 August, 2019.

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 639-640
Author(s):  
Jyoti Savla ◽  
Karen Roberto ◽  
Aubrey Knight ◽  
Rosemary Blieszner ◽  
Brandy Renee McCann ◽  
...  

Abstract An extensive body of literature documents correlates of and barriers to health service use, yet much less is known about satisfaction with home- and community-based services for persons with dementia (PwD). Daily diary data from 122 rural caregivers (CG) of PwD (814 daily diaries) were used to assess everyday service use experiences. At the last diary interview, CG identified areas where service use expectations were and were not being met. CGs reported problems with services used on fewer than 5% of study days (e.g., service provider was delayed because of car trouble). In contrast, 82% of CG identified areas where service expectations were not being met. Their most common concerns were lack of control over service availability and lack of adequate training among service providers. Recommendations for alternative ways for capturing service use satisfaction will be offered, and implications for theory and practice will be discussed.


2003 ◽  
Author(s):  

Unprotected sex among Mexico’s young people often leads to unplanned pregnancy and unwanted births as well as risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV. From 1999 to 2002, FRONTIERS worked with the nongovernmental organization MEXFAM to test the feasibility, effectiveness, and cost of community-, clinic-, and school-based interventions to improve the reproductive health (RH) of youth aged 10–19. Eight cities were selected as intervention sites, and four as control sites. In the intervention sites, researchers worked with coordinators and “multipliers”—local community members such as teachers, community leaders, health-care providers, and peer educators—who taught courses on adolescent RH. In the community intervention, multipliers conducted outreach through events such as plays, sports events, parades, and concerts. In the clinic-based component, providers offered youth-friendly services at their health facilities. Four of the intervention cities also received a school-based intervention. As concluded in this brief, young people in Mexico have a general knowledge of RH, but their weak understanding of reproductive physiology and STIs makes them vulnerable to the consequences of risky behavior. Program managers should strengthen education on adolescent RH for both young people and service providers.


2001 ◽  
Author(s):  

To assess the effectiveness of youth centers in reaching adolescents with reproductive health information, life skills, and services, the Reproductive Health Research Unit in KwaZulu Natal and the Population Council conducted an assessment of 12 youth centers and their affiliated peer education programs. The centers were run by the KwaZulu Natal Department of Health, the loveLife program, and the Youth and Adolescent Reproductive Health Program. Researchers also examined young people’s use of condoms as protection against pregnancy and HIV/AIDS. Data sources for this study, conducted in 2000, were an inventory of youth center services, interviews with center staff and clients, service statistics, and community surveys of 1,399 young people aged 12–24 and their parents. As noted in this brief, the study found that many sexually active young people in South Africa are knowledgeable about the sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS but do not use condoms consistently. Service providers can do more to promote condom use among youth by placing condom dispensers in private places and counseling youth on correct condom use and safer sexual practices.


Author(s):  
Ikenna J. Nwakamma ◽  
Carol S. Talla ◽  
Stephanie E. Kei ◽  
Genevieve C. Okoro ◽  
Godwin Asuquo ◽  
...  

Background/Objectives: Demand creation for uptake of HIV and sexual reproductive health (HIV/SRH) services among adolescents and young people (AYP) in Nigeria is challenging. This study compares the reach, and utilization patterns, and factors that drive the patterns of utilization of HIV/SRH services by AYP in mobile outreach service centers and health care facilities in Nigeria's capital city. Methods: Data were obtained from service exit surveys and HIV/SRH service utilization records in selected health facilities and mobile testing outreaches from January to April 2018. The service providers were provided a checklist to capture key information during their interaction with their AYP clients. Data were captured with Microsoft Excel, imported to and analysed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 16. Results: Community-based mobile outreaches reached a significantly higher proportion of participants, with 88% of them from the community HIV testing points. Among the participants in the SRH service utilization assessment, 20 (15%) and 142 (19%) voluntarily asked for SRH-related information in the health facility and mobile outreach respectively; 53 (40%), and 224 (30%) accepted offer of SRH counselling in the health facility and mobile outreach respectively. There were significant differences in the waiting time for testing and waiting time for result collection at the mobile testing posts and the health facilities. Conclusion and Implications for Translation: AYP friendly mobile community outreach model shows more promise in terms of reach and also seems to encourage voluntary request for HIV/SRH services among AYP. The costs and waiting times favor the mobile outreach model; however, the quality in terms of personnel and environment was an issue of concern. Hospitals are not providing friendly environments that encourage voluntary uptake of HIV/SRH services by AYPs. A model for AYPs should prioritize community based and friendly services with well-trained personnel in order to build the confidence of AYPs for improved SRH seeking behaviors. Key words: • HIV • Sexual and reproductive Health • Adolescents and Young People • Preferences • Mobile outreaches services • Health facility testing • Abuja Nigeria   Copyright © 2019 Nwakamma et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.affect economic and health promotion.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10s1 ◽  
pp. SART.S34543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah Rutman

There is growing appreciation among health and social care providers, especially those working in community-based programs with women or young people with substance use problems and/or who have experienced violence, maltreatment, or trauma, that a high number of their program participants may have been prenatally exposed to alcohol or have fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). This article provides a conceptualization of the key components of an FASD-informed approach. Drawing on the emerging literature and the author's research identifying the support needs and promising approaches in working with women, young adults, and adults with FASD, as well as evaluations of FASD-related programs, the article discusses what an FASD-informed approach is, why it is centrally important in working with women, adults, and young people who may have FASD, underlying principles of an FASD-informed approach, and examples of FASD-informed adaptations to practice, programming, and the physical environment. In this discussion, the benefits of using an FASD-informed approach for service providers and women living with FASD and their families, as well as conceptualization of FASD-informed policy and systems are highlighted.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-46
Author(s):  
Mehmoona Moosa-Mitha ◽  
Bruce Wallace

Few studies engage refugee newcomers in the design phase of a research project even when studying issues that are of significance to them. This preliminary study aimed to engage Arabic speaking refugee newcomers living with trauma and their service providers in designing a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to the study of trauma within this community. Focus groups with Arabic speaking refugee newcomers and their service providers confirm participants’ views of trauma as a significant issue in their lives, affirm CBPR’s principles of participation and action-oriented research, and highlight the benefit of research that informs the integration of trauma responses within resettlement processes. Lessons learnt about implementing a CBPR approach to studying trauma include addressing power imbalances in research, the essential role of action within research, and the value of experiential knowledge and engagement.


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