Reproductive Health

This issue of The Soul Beat focuses on information from our network that considers reproductive health as an integral part of health and development in Africa. The issues addressed below include lack of access to basic information about reproductive health and lack of knowledge about family planning, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and protection of reproductive rights.

EXPERIENCES

1. Strengthened Partnerships among Local FM & Community Radio Networks & Reproductive Health Agencies on HIV/AIDS - Africa and Asia

Training workshops were conducted in the use of entertainment-education techniques to address reproductive health issues. The purpose of the programme was to give community radio producers and NGO representatives the tools needed to develop effective and compelling communication on HIV/AIDS and reproductive health.

Contact Kriss Barker krissbarker@populationmedia.org

2. Femina HIP (Health Information Project) - Tanzania

The Health Information Project (HIP) targets young people with information about sexuality, reproductive health, life skills and job opportunities. HIP uses 'edutainment' as its main technique to facilitate open discussion. The HIP programme includes magasines, a TV Talk Show, roadshows and Life Goes On! a book of stories and photographs of 20 Tanzanians living with HIV.

Contact info@feminahip.or.tz

3. Promoting Sexual & Reproductive Health & HIV/AIDS Reduction Programme (PSRHH) - Nigeria

A behaviour change campaign that aims to accomplish the following by 2015: reduce the HIV prevalence by 25% among high-risk 15-24 year-olds, reduce the rate of unwanted pregnancy among teenagers, and reduce the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among high risk groups. PSRHH uses use media campaigns that emphasise behaviour change in conjunction with providing low-cost contraceptives for high risk groups.

4. Enhancing Behavior Change Communication - Sub-Saharan Africa

Project organisers believe that in the context of HIV/AIDS, addressing family planning and reproductive health requires a significant expansion of education and services. The project uses a holistic approach to develop culturally relevant behavior change approaches.

Contact advance@advanceafrica.org

5. The Action Health Participatory Video Project - Nigeria

Nigerian youth were trained to develop videos to help provide their peers with reproductive health information and life planning skills. Following training, the team produced programmes on sex education, parent-child communication, AIDS and STD awareness, puberty, drug use, smoking, rape, and the role of health counselors. Both dramas and mini-documentaries were produced, including on-the-street interviews, songs, dances, in-depth conversations and panel discussions.

Contact Nike Esiet info@c4c.org

EVALUATIONS

6. Community Participation to Improve Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health in Burkina Faso - Evaluation

The overall goal of the project was to improve youth sexual and reproductive health. Improvements in youth knowledge, attitudes and practices around reproductive and sexual health were reported to have been achieved. The findings show an increase of 20% in knowledge of AIDS, an increase of 28% in current condom use, and a significant increase in youth stating they are comfortable discussing sexuality with their parents (from 36% to 55%).

7. Radio Soap for Health Education - Lessons Learnt by Health Unlimited Rwanda 1997-2003

By Isobel Booth

Urunana (‘Hand in Hand’) went on air in 1999, a soap opera fully researched, written and produced in Rwanda. It weaves sexual and reproductive health issues into compelling storylines to stimulate discussion. This paper reports on lessons learnt from the experience by the team in Rwanda.

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"Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and to its functions and processes. Reproductive health therefore implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life and that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so. Implicit in this last condition is the right of men and women to be informed and to have access to safe, effective, affordable and acceptable methods of family planning of their choice..."

From the definition of reproductive health endorsed by 165 nations in 1994, at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo.
(Source: Centre for Reproductive Rights Website)

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STRATEGIC THINKING

8. State of Denial: Adolescent Reproductive Rights in Zimbabwe

Using a human rights fact-finding methodology, conclusions and recommendations are given based upon an analysis of Zimbabwean laws and policies, as well as interviews conducted with over 800 adolescents, parents, family members, government officials and service providers. This investigation reveals a systematic denial of adolescents’ right to access dual protection methods and information.

9. A Critical Analysis of Reproductive Health Information (RHI) in South Africa

By Nolwazi Mbananga

"The increase in HIV/AIDS and STDs rates in the country have been used as a proxy measure for poor translation of RHI into sexual behavioural change. Consequently, questions were asked: Why RHI is not understood by the target community? and Why does this information appear to be failing in transforming sexual behaviour?"

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Call for Articles - Sexual Health Exchange
Sexual Health Exchange is a quarterly newsletter on HIV/AIDS and sexual health in developing countries. The newsletter is seeking submissions focussing on issues/ problems and good practices for upcoming issues on faith-based responses to HIV/AIDS and stigma, discrimination and human rights. For information, contact Nel van Beelen, Editor n.v.beelen@kit.nl or visit the Sexual Health Exchange Website

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MATERIALS

10. Social Marketing for Adolescent Sexual Health: Results of Operations Research Projects in Botswana, Cameroon, Guinea, & South Africa

Edited by Lisa M. Hisel

The aim of this project from Populations Services International is to increase awareness among policymakers and programme managers of the potential effectiveness of social marketing programmes for reducing the vulnerability of adolescents to HIV/AIDS. This report describes the major project components, the impact of the projects on adolescents' beliefs and behavior with regard to sexual and reproductive health, and implications for future programmes.

11. Malaria During Pregnancy Resource Package: Tools to Facilitate Policy Change and Implementation

This package contains a variety of tools designed to assist policymakers, public health professionals, and health managers in implementing programmes that will reduce the incidence of malaria during pregnancy and provide treatment for pregnant women with malaria. Tools included: training materials, key article abstracts, and a guide to developing a communication strategy.

12. Francophone Africa - Adolescent Reproductive Health Education Materials

These French language educational materials include a video with discussion guide, a handbook providing information on questions that adolescents may ask about reproductive health, and a flip chart for rural girls. The goal of these publications is to provide a series of materials designed to help 10 to 22 year olds make informed choices.

EVENTS

13. Advocacy for Reproductive Health - July 5-16 2004 - Nairobi, Kenya

This course provides hands-on experience in designing and evaluating an advocacy campaign focusing on advocacy for policy change. This course aims to teach participants about the application of advocacy; increase the use of available data for the advocacy process; and encourage a democratic process by providing people with the skills to make their voices heard.

14. IEC Strategy, Design & Materials Development for ASRH Programmes - July 5-24 2004 - Kampala, Uganda

The training will include: Role of mass & intensive IEC programmes; IEC data collection techniques; developing and designing materials for IEC work; behavior change communication.

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The Soul Beat seeks to cover the full range of communication for development activities. Inclusion of an item does not imply endorsement or support by The Partners.

Please send material for The Soul Beat to the Editor - Anja Venth aventh@comminit.com