Background/Objectives
The USAID YPE4AH project aims to advance adolescent health in Lagos and Kano States by supporting young people and addressing challenges they face. It provides accurate information and non-judgemental services and referrals around contraceptives, SGBV, substance abuse, and mental health, as well as leadership programming and livelihood skill-building. Adolescents engaged with YPE4AH developed the content for this abstract in a workshop facilitated by project staff.
Materials & Methods
YPE4AH includes the following key components:
- Trained youth mentors (Coaches) mobilise adolescents to participate in life skills trainings, sign up for leadership programs, and conduct advocacy visits to community stakeholders.
- Youth Hubs are safe spaces designed for trainings, physical activities, counselling, and service provision.
- Hub health providers are trained nurses that provide sexual and reproductive health services. Adolescents visit Hub counselling rooms to access SRH services and are referred for additional services not available at the Hubs, such as LARCs.
Results
- After completing life skills training, adolescents keep returning to the Hubs with their peers.
- The Lagos State government has handed over the youth centres to the project to manage because the young people have demonstrated their abilities to run their programs.
- YPE4AH-trained adolescents are seen as dependable and knowledgeable resources within their communities, acting as important resources that can be leveraged for government and programmers to promote project sustainability.
- More adolescents are equipped with SRH knowledge, aiding informed decisions around FP uptake and continued use.
- The program builds an empowered adolescent generation: some adolescents who participated in the life skills trainings have progressed to become Coaches or volunteer with local CSOs.
Conclusions
With adolescents at the core, the project adequately reflects the diversity within this heterogeneous population and has generated an inclusive environment for greater effectiveness. The project addresses the FP needs of adolescents at the grassroot level within the context of everyday life, making it a sustainable venture.
