Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #109721

Jianzhong Chen¹, Zhenzhen Zheng², Lisa M. Mueller, MA¹, and Gregoria Lyssikatos, MA¹. (1) PATH, Suite 718 Hua Bin Building, No. 8 Yong An Dong Li, Jian Guo Men Wai, Beijing, 100022, China, (2) Institute of Population and Labor Economics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), **No street address used**, Beijing, 100732, China, (86-10)63435934, zhengzz@cass.org.cn

Adolescents sexual and reproductive health issue, previously a taboo subject, in recent years has become a growing public and academic concern in China. In response, some schools have, in recent years, tried to incorporate SRH education into their curricula. In Harbin, participatory SRH education and life-planning skills training has become a regular and required course in middle schools due to the joint efforts of the city Education Bureau and Family Planning Association (FPA). This presentation will share how LPS was successfully institutionalized into Harbin schools.

A quasi-experimental study found that the course was widely welcomed by students, and the impact of the course was evident. Significant changes in knowledge and attitudes were seen between intervention and control school students at post-survey time, with many gains remaining evident in a later follow-up survey. Behavior change was less clear with the short pilot intervention.

Results from interviews with Education Bureau leaders and program managers will be shared as well as findings from field visits to several middle schools. These interviews and visits helped project documenters gain insight into how the courses were integrated in the schools and what support was in place for the work. The important roles played by Education Bureau leaders, FPA staff, teachers, and others will be described.

Lessons learned and challenges faced will also be shared

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to

• Describe the process of how SRH was successfully institutionalized in middle schools in Harbin, China.
• Identify challenges faced when attempting to integrate SRH into public school systems.
• Apply lessons learned to efforts to reach in school youth with SRH in different settings.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.