The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63988

Mike A. Egboh, MPH, Pathfinder International, Inc., 248 Muri Okunola Street, Victoria Island Lagos, Nigeria, 234-1-2621779, 234-1-4706064, megboh@pathfind.org

Despite four decades of self-rule and development assistance, Nigeria's health indices remain dismal, with a population of 120 million, CPR of 9%, TFR of 5.9, MMR of 1100 per 100,000 and IMR of 88 per 1000. The situation is worse in the predominantly Muslim north, where diverse cultures, religions and different stakeholder interests generate controversy, mistrust and misconceptions. These create barriers to optimal access and utilization of RH services. This situation has been made worse by the recent adoption of Sharia law thus hardening the conservative stance and discouraging the unsure from accessing the available services. Pathfinder International, in collaboration with a local network of RH advocates adopted the future search methodology in looking for common ground. Participants representing various stakeholders from northern Nigeria and a cross-section of RH practitioners across the country clearly defined the RH issues facing northern Nigeria with strategies for addressing them. To sustain this momentum and further energize stakeholders into action, the second meeting was held in February 2002 and drew 75 participants including religious and traditional rulers. From these diverse perspectives they sought common ground, focusing strictly on the future and committed to action plans to move forward. The poster session will highlight the process, planning stages, execution of programs, lessons learnt and recommendations.

Learning Objectives:

• At the end of the session, participants will be able to:
• 1.Describe how Future Search methodology may be adapted in a highly hostile and volatile religious environment that is anti-FP/RH
• 2.Identify the success factors for FS methodology in such environment
• 3.Apply same strategy in other similar environments

Keywords: Methodology, Religion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.