The Reproductive Health for Youth in Mali Project (RHYM), a cooperative agreement between USAID/Mali and the Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) is a four year project which aims to promote family planning and reproductive health for youth in Mali through increased access to, improved quality of and demand for RH/MCH services. A major component of CEDPA/Mali’s work with local NGOs is a youth peer educator program. The purpose of this research was threefold:
* to involve youth in all stages of program development and implementation * to develop the capacity of NGOs to integrate this approach to IEC into their program design * to learn the information necessary for the planning of educational strategy and activities related to unwanted pregnancy and use of contraceptives by Malian youth in project areas.
This paper will report on the findings from this research, how the research was used by the youth themselves and their NGO in strategy design and implementation, and implications for youth RH programs.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, participants will be able to: state the three main reasons why this methodology using youth peer educators was used describe two main findings related to discussions with teen mothers and teen fathers identify two possible IEC strategies based on this research
Keywords: Peer Education, Reproductive Health Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA)
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: employment