Document Details | Promoting Sexual Responsibility Among Young People in Zimbabwe

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Details for Promoting Sexual Responsibility Among Young People in Zimbabwe
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Name	Promoting Sexual Responsibility Among Young People in Zimbabwe
Description	This paper presents an assessment of a project aimed to encourage young people to adopt behaviors that reduce the risk of pregnancy and STIs, including HIV. The paper outlines the project's success at reaching its target audience and promoting responsible sexual behavior among young people. C o n t ex t : A 1997–1998 multimedia campaign promoted sexual responsibility among young people in Zimbabwe, while strengthening their access to reproductive health services by tra i n i n g providers. M e t h o d s : Baseline and fo l l ow-up survey s, each involving approximately 1.400 women and men aged 10–24, were conducted in five campaign and two comparison sites. Logistic regr e s s i o n analyses were conducted to assess exposure to the campaign and its impact on young people’s reproductive health knowledge and discussion, safer sexual behaviors and use of services. R e s u l t s : The campaign reached 97% of the youth audience. Awareness of contra c e p t i ve methods increased in campaign areas, but general reproductive health knowledge changed little. As a result of the campaign, 80% of respondents had discussions about reproductive health—with f riends (72%), siblings (49%), parents (44%), teachers (34%) or partners (28%). In response to the campaign, young people in campaign areas were 2,5 times as likely as those in comparison sites to report saying no to sex, 4,7 times as likely to visit a health center and 14,0 times as likely to visit a youth center. Contraceptive use at last sex rose significantly in campaign areas (from 56% to 67%). Launch eve n t s, leaflets and dramas were the most influential campaign comp o n e n t s. The more components respondents were exposed to, the more likely they were to take action in response. C o n cl u s i o n s : A multimedia approach increases the reach and impact of reproductive health int e rventions directed to young people. Building community support for behavior change also is essential, to ensure that young people find approval for their actions and have access to serv i c e s. Context: A 1997–1998 multimedia campaign promoted sexual responsibility among young peoplein Zimbabwe, while strengthening their access to reproductive health services by training providers. Methods: Baseline and fo l l ow-up survey s, each involving approximately 1.400 women and menaged 10–24, were conducted in five campaign and two comparison sites. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess exposure to the campaign and its impact on young people’s reproductive health knowledge and discussion, safer sexual behaviors and use of services. Results: The campaign reached 97% of the youth audience. Awareness of contraceptive methodsincreased in campaign areas, but general reproductive health knowledge changed little. As a result of the campaign, 80% of respondents had discussions about reproductive health—withf riends (72%), siblings (49%), parents (44%), teachers (34%) or partners (28%). In response tothe campaign, young people in campaign areas were 2,5 times as likely as those in comparisonsites to report saying no to sex, 4,7 times as likely to visit a health center and 14,0 times aslikely to visit a youth center. Contraceptive use at last sex rose significantly in campaign areas (from 56% to 67%). Launch events, leaflets and dramas were the most influential campaign components. The more components respondents were exposed to, the more likely they were to take action in response. Conclusions: A multimedia approach increases the reach and impact of reproductive health inte rventions directed to young people. Building community support for behavior change also is essential, to ensure that young people find approval for their actions and have access to services.
Tag	JHUCCP, English, article, Zimbabwe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Young Mi Kim, Adrienne Kols, family planning, multimedia campaign, reproductive health, community support
Filename	2701101.pdf
Filesize	215,55 kB
Filetype	pdf (Mime Type: application/pdf)
Creator	christopherlindahl
Created On:	01/15/2010 13:01
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Maintained by	All Registered Users
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Last updated on	06/20/2011 16:33
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