Reproductive Health of Young Adults PART II

Reproductive Health of Young Adults PART II DR KANURPIYA CHATURVEDI DR . KANURPIYA CHATURVEDI Who Provides Information and Services to Youth? To offer a range of services, various providers need to be involved: Teachers Doctors Nurses Peer educators Community workers DR . KANURPIYA CHATURVEDI Sexuality: Open Discussions Are Important • Difficult topic to discuss openly for both youth and adults • Includes a wide range of issues, such as peer pressure, sexual identity, sexual orientation, sexual capability, sexual coercion • Helps youth understand and express their feelings • Promotes responsible sexual behavior, helps prevent unintended pregnancy and STIs DR . KANURPIYA CHATURVEDI Communication Skills Needed by Providers     Reflective listening Open-ended questions Positive body language Characteristics that help communication: sincerity, honesty, non-judgment, respect, sense of humor Confidentiality is critical in serving youth DR . KANURPIYA CHATURVEDI Provider Training Needed • Technical knowledge • Knowledge of issues facing young adults • Gender awareness • Counseling skills • For some: how to train young people in communication skills DR . KANURPIYA CHATURVEDI What Reproductive Health Information and Education Do Youth Need? Young adults need information and skills to be able to take responsibility for their sexuality. • • • • • Risks and consequences of sexual activity Contraceptives and STIs Sex education Fertility issues for men and women Gender issues DR . KANURPIYA CHATURVEDI Research Shows Sex Education Helps Sex education: • Does not lead to earlier or increased sexual activity • Can give young people skills to delay sexual activity • Can increase contraceptive use It is important to begin sex education early DR . KANURPIYA CHATURVEDI Elements of Effective Sex Education Programs • • Content: – Provides basic, accurate information – Focuses on reducing sexual Effective risk-taking – Addresses peer Programs pressures – Strengthens individual and group values against unprotected intercourse Teaching methods/ program design: – Provides modeling and practice of communication and negotiation skills – Trains instructors – Involves students in teaching methods – Lasts at least 14 hours or has intensive small-group work DR . KANURPIYA CHATURVEDI Sexuality: What Youth Need to Know Includes issues of identity, societal roles, human relationships, biological development Youth need to learn: • How their bodies, minds and feelings are changing • How to communicate about sexuality • How to handle societal and peer pressures • How to make responsible decisions about sexual activity, including abstinence DR . KANURPIYA CHATURVEDI Fertility Awareness Involves education about: • The reproductive system • Fertility • The menstrual cycle • How pregnancy occurs • Attitudes and cultural norms about fertility, the use of contraception and childbearing DR . KANURPIYA CHATURVEDI Fertility of Men and Women • Males are fertile all the time after beginning sperm production • Females are fertile for a period of time during each cycle • Menstrual cycle: – begins with menstrual bleeding – ovulation occurs – if egg is not fertilized, cycle begins again in about 2 weeks • Fertile time can begin about 6 days before ovulation DR . KANURPIYA CHATURVEDI Youth-Adult Partnerships Elements of good partnerships: • Organizational commitment and capacity • Attitude shifts among adults and youth • Selection, recruitment and retention of youth • Substantive levels of youth participation DR . KANURPIYA CHATURVEDI Family Involvement • Many youth want to talk to family members about sexuality • Crucial elements: – availability of family members – attitudes and knowledge – communications skills • Programs needed to help parents learn necessary skills and information • Family members can support youth in seeking services and information DR . KANURPIYA CHATURVEDI Health Clinics Designed for Youth • Separate units for youth • Outreach clinics with specially trained staff • Mobile clinics • Special hours • Convenient and safe locations • Youth-to-youth promotion • Low or no-cost services DR . KANURPIYA CHATURVEDI Elements of School-Based Programs Large numbers of youth can be reached efficiently at schools • Family life education curricula • School-based or linked clinical services • Training of instructors and administrators • Involvement of families and community DR . KANURPIYA CHATURVEDI Community-Based Youth Organizations • Multi-service organizations: recreation, sports teams, vocational training, tutoring • Workplace and religious groups: information and services • Peer promoters or educators: information, counseling and condoms • Youth centers for pregnant and parenting teens: continuing education and skills training DR . KANURPIYA CHATURVEDI Mass Media and Other Creative Outreach • Mass media: radio, television, film, comic books • Telephone hotlines • Entertainment: drama groups, puppet shows, concerts • Computer technology: Web sites, CD ROMS, distance learning • Social marketing DR . KANURPIYA CHATURVEDI Summary Lessons learned: • Sex education is valuable for young adults • Education needs to focus on skills and attitudes as well as information • Programs need to involve youth in the design • Forming effective youth-adult partnerships influences attitude changes DR . KANURPIYA CHATURVEDI