Intensive Group Learning and On-Site Services to Improve Sexual and Reproductive Health Among Young Adults in Liberia: A Randomized Evaluation of HealthyActions.

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Abstract

Young Liberians, particularly undereducated young adults, face substantial sexual and reproductive health (SRH) challenges, with low uptake of contraceptive methods, high rates of unintended pregnancy, and low levels of knowledge about HIV status. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a 6-day intensive group learning intervention combined with on-site SRH services (called HealthyActions) among out-of-school young adults, implemented through an existing alternative education program, on uptake of contraception and HIV testing and counseling (HTC).

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Twenty years after International Conference on Population and Development: where are we with adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights?

Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli, Joar Svanemyr, Avni Amin … (2015)

The International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in 1994 laid out a bold, clear, and comprehensive definition of reproductive health and called for nations to meet the educational and service needs of adolescents to enable them to deal in a positive and responsible way with their sexuality. In the context of the ongoing review of the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action and the considerations for a post-2015 development agenda, this article summarizes the findings of the articles presented in this volume and identifies key challenges and critical answers that need to be tackled in addressing adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights. The key recommendations are to link the provision of sexuality education and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services; build awareness, acceptance, and support for youth-friendly SRH education and services; address gender inequality in terms of beliefs, attitudes, and norms; and target the early adolescent period (10-14 years). The many knowledge gaps, however, point to the pressing need for further research on how to best design effective adolescent SRH intervention packages and how best to deliver them.

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Creating an enabling environment for adolescent sexual and reproductive health: a framework and promising approaches.

Joar Svanemyr, Avni Amin, Omar Robles … (2015)

This article provides a conceptual framework and points out the key elements for creating enabling environments for adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH). An ecological framework is applied to organize the key elements of enabling environments for ASRH. At the individual level, strategies that are being implemented and seem promising are those that empower girls, build their individual assets, and create safe spaces. At the relationship level, strategies that are being implemented and seem promising include efforts to build parental support and communication as well as peer support networks. At the community level, strategies to engage men and boys and the wider community to transform gender and other social norms are being tested and may hold promise. Finally, at the broadest societal level, efforts to promote laws and policies that protect and promote human rights and address societal awareness about ASRH issues, including through mass media approaches, need to be considered.

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A review of positive youth development programs that promote adolescent sexual and reproductive health.

Loretta E Gavin, Richard Catalano, Corinne David-Ferdon … (2010)

Positive youth development (PYD) may be a promising strategy for promoting adolescent health. A systematic review of the published data was conducted to identify and describe PYD programs that improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Eight databases were searched for articles about PYD programs published between 1985 and 2007. Programs included met the following criteria: fostered at least one of 12 PYD goals in multiple socialization domains (i.e., family, school, community) or addressed two or more goals in at least one socialization domain; allocated at least half of the program activities to promoting general PYD outcomes (as compared with a focus on direct sexual health content); included youth younger than 20 years old; and used an experimental or quasi-experimental evaluation design. Thirty programs met the inclusion criteria, 15 of which had evidence of improving at least one adolescent sexual and reproductive health outcome. Program effects were moderate and well-sustained. Program goals addressed by approximately 50% or more of the effective programs included promoting prosocial bonding, cognitive competence, social competence, emotional competence, belief in the future, and self-determination. Effective programs were significantly more likely than those that did not have an impact to strengthen the school context and to deliver activities in a supportive atmosphere. Effective programs were also more likely to build skills, enhance bonding, strengthen the family, engage youth in real roles and activities, empower youth, communicate expectations, and be stable and relatively long-lasting, although these differences between effective and ineffective programs were not statistically significant. PYD programs can promote adolescent sexual and reproductive health, and tested, effective PYD programs should be part of a comprehensive approach to promoting adolescent health. However, more research is needed before a specific list of program characteristics can be viewed as a "recipe" for success. Published by Elsevier Inc.

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Author and article information

Journal

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): Glob Health Sci Pract

Title: Global health, science and practice

Publisher: Johns Hopkins School Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for Communication Programs

ISSN (Electronic): 2169-575X

ISSN (Print): 2169-575X

Publication date (Electronic): Sep 28 2016

Volume: 4

Issue: 3

Affiliations

[1 ] Population Services International, Washington, DC, USA rfirestone@psi.org.

[2 ] Population Services International, Yangon, Myanmar.

[3 ] Education Development Center, Inc., Washington, DC, USA.

[4 ] Population Services International, Monrovia, Liberia.

[5 ] Population Services International, Washington, DC, USA.

[6 ] Education Development Center, Inc., Pasig City, Philippines.

[7 ] Independent Consultant, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA.

[8 ] Education Development Center, Inc., Advancing Youth Project, Monrovia, Liberia.

Article

Publisher Item ID: GHSP-D-16-00074

DOI: 10.9745/GHSP-D-16-00074

PMC ID: 5042699

PubMed ID: 27688717

SO-VID: 76314064-e830-4b60-805f-de78aa6f883a

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Intensive Group Learning and On-Site Services to Improve Sexual and Reproductive Health Among Young Adults in Liberia: A Randomized Evaluation of HealthyActions.

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Most cited references 12

Twenty years after International Conference on Population and Development: where are we with adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights?

Creating an enabling environment for adolescent sexual and reproductive health: a framework and promising approaches.

A review of positive youth development programs that promote adolescent sexual and reproductive health.

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