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

Abstract #116043

Denise Kohn, MPH¹, Rebecca Koladycz, MA¹, and River Finlay, MPH². (1) International Planned Parenthood Federation/Western Hemisphere Region, 120 Wall Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10005-3902, (212) 214-0285, dkohn@ippfwhr.org, (2) IPPF/WHR, 120 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005

In 2002, IPPF/WHR trained medical providers and youth program coordinators to build their capacity to provide youth-friendly SRH services. The workshop addressed: understanding adolescent needs; viewing SRH and services through the framework of youth rights; components of youth-friendly services and their implementation; communicating with youth about SRH; and review and distribution of tools for strengthening youth-friendly services. Nine member associations were then awarded seed grants of $3,000 each for a 12-month project to strengthen the provision of youth-friendly services. Strategies included: creating or decorating a space with young people's input and participation; sensitizing and training staff to serve young people with a respect for their rights and particular needs; developing educational materials that are clear, simple and fun; making services affordable by subsidizing costs or partnering with other institutions. Lessons learned: Small investments can go a long way toward making services youth-friendly. Youth participation is essential throughout the process, as youth have the insider perspective on what will make services more youth-friendly and can offer creative ideas and solutions. In this project, youth helped identify needs, planned and participated in activities, developed and field-tested materials, and monitored and evaluated activities. Mechanisms for ongoing evaluation and feedback from youth are important for maintaining the youth-friendliness of services. Several associations instituted low-cost ways for youth to provide feedback and comments about services on an ongoing basis. Through these kinds of mechanisms, service providers can continue to improve the youth-friendliness of their services and stay connected to young people's needs and ideas.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to describe strategies used by nine IPPF/WHR member associations to successfully implement projects to strengthen youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services with a limited budget.

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.