Background
Comprehensive sex education is essential to prepare adolescents for life in a changing world. It improves sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes and promotes safe and gender-equitable environments. With increasing number of out-of-school adolescents, the task becomes evident via formal education. This abstract assesses best practices among near-peers to increase access to SRH services among out-of-school adolescents.
Methods
The USAID/YPE4AH's strategy centers around Youth Hubs-safe space to seek reproductive health (RH) information/services. The TEENSMATA Hub is a product of user-centered design approach providing a safe-space to learn and play, manned with a near-peer nurse. The project combines sports, fun-based activities led by near-peer mentors (aged 20-28) to spur healthy behavior change among adolescent boys and girls (15-19). Adolescents visit the healthcare provider to discuss their SRH needs and other concerns. Aside the SKILLZ sessions, other adolescents' access ASRH information/services through walk-ins.
Result
Between March-August 2022, across the six hubs in Lagos and Kano, 6,729 adolescents were mobilized by youth coaches for group sessions and counseled on FP, while 3,323 took up contraceptives methods (61% females). Another 159 adolescents were referred by their peers who had completed the SKILLZ sessions, 100 of these taking FP methods. Adolescents reported feeling free to speak to each other about their SRH needs without bias and making extra efforts to refer peers to access information/services in a safe space irrespective of distance.
Conclusion
The findings show that despite the barriers in reaching out-of-school adolescents with comprehensive SRH information and services, mobilizing adolescents through near-peers and consequently peers, create opportunity to bring together a network of adolescents who can access comprehensive AYFS information/services within safe spaces. By harnessing positive peer-influence, Nigeria can make strides towards improving the health/well-being of young people
