Parallel 1 - Abstract presentations (Oral-010 - Oral-012)

Background/Objectives
Many adolescents intend to avoid and delay pregnancy but lack the knowledge and resources to
make decisions regarding their reproductive health. At the global, national and subnational
levels, efforts are made to ensure that data gaps in Family Planning and adolescents are closed.
Although progress has been slow, existing data should be analyzed, interpreted, and presented in
a simplified format that can support decisions.
In 2021, Stand With A Girl (SWAG) Initiative implemented the Data Made Simple in 5 states in
Nigeria, namely: Niger, Taraba, Edo, Ogun and Plateau. The project focused on promoting
meaningful youth participation in data for decision making on family planning.The data was
interpreted and simplified objectively in a storybook by using infographics. It was translated into
indigenous languages to engage subnational policy makers, community gatekeepers, community
members, adolescent and development partners etc.
Method/Material
❖ Adolescent and Youth Sexual & Reproductive Health (AYSRH) data from the National
Health Management Information System and Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey
(2018) was collated and analyzed for each State.
❖ These data storybooks were disseminated to decision makers and community members to
improve access to AYSRH information and services as well as policy decisions.
Results
❖ 60 Youth Data Advocates, Adolescent Health Desk Officers, and M&E officers have
strengthened capacity on Adolescent Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health data-driven
programming and data use for decision-making.
❖ Over 100 Decision makers engaged in effective implementation of Nigeria's National.
❖ Adolescent Health Policy using data storybooks to increase adolescents' access to family
planning information.
Conclusion
Data, evidence and innovations are critical for effective policy implementation. With the level of
successes in the project and commitment by the decision makers in the aforementioned states,
SWAG Initiative scaled up the Data Made Simple project in 7 additional States in Nigeria.

Oral presentation
1. Background/Objectives


West Africa has a large number of sexually active youth, often debuting during adolescence, with limited means of protecting their sexuality. Access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information, including family planning (FP) is generally low as is use of SRH/FP services, possibly explaining high rates of unwanted pregnancies and sexual infections. The role young people play as leaders to tackle these issues is recognized, but not always invested in. We present results to date of the USAID/AmplifyPF project's "Young Champions in Reproductive Health and Family Planning Initiative" implemented in Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Niger, and Togo – to increase the leadership and visibility of youth
2. Materials and Methods
The initiative identifies, trains, and equips pairs of same-gender youth in living in environments where sexuality among youth is taboo. 118 Young Champions have been recruited to conduct activities using a two-pronged approach of interpersonal communication with outreach activities, use of digital communication technologies through social media and free FP consultations, counseling, screening and STI/HIV/AIDS care. Activities began in May 2021 and aims to reach 185,000 young people by May 2023. 
3. Results
Between May 2021 and June 2022, the initiative has engendered 119 educational talks, 210 outreach sessions, 17 in-school lectures, 10 free RH/FP service offerings, 88 digital campaigns and reached 310,510 youth across the 4 countries.
4. Conclusions
This initiative was intentional in its inclusive approach to reaching traditionally underrepresented, underserved groups in health promotion and service delivery initiatives. It demonstrates that considering, investing in, and enabling youth and recognizing their place in spaces for dialogue and discussion creates a new dynamic that can challenge the status quo and deconstruct taboos, while empowering youth to speak for themselves on issues such as sexuality and the use of FP services.

OBJECTIVE: Sexual and reproductive health is a critical aspect of adolescent health as they contend with issues including early motherhood and pregnancy, lack of access to safe and modern contraception methods, and a high prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases. The project employs a life mapping exercise and vocational training as an entry point for conversations about reproductive health and achieving life goals for adolescent girls aged 15–19 in Ogun state. 
METHODS AND MATERIALS: The project adopted a hub and spoke approach, using varied interventions such as Love, Life, and Health (LLH) to reach and engage adolescent girls on issues pertaining to their sexual and reproductive health choices. Health service providers made youth friendly services available by counselling the girls on the importance of family planning, menstrual and personal hygiene, relationships with the opposite sex, negotiation skills, academics, and the importance of nurturing friendships. Mums' session was organized to improve communication between mothers and their adolescent daughters, this way the girls will be free to discuss on issues that pertains to their sexuality and reproductive health with their mothers without fear of being reproached.
RESULTS: A total of 12,449 girls were reached with sexual and reproductive health messages, and 1,163 (9%) adopted a modern contraceptive method (Implant – 318, Injectables – 358, Pill – 98, Male condoms - 206 and Female condoms - 28). The programme has been able to avert 174 unintended pregnancies and 416 DALYs. It has also provided a CYP of 1,107. 
CONCLUSION:  Findings from the first phase of the project reveal that key players must adopt a thorough, evidence-based strategy that builds the capacity of service providers and implements creative initiatives with, and for, adolescents. Investing in adolescents' SRH needs can be best addressed by recognizing the contexts that increase their exposure to poor SRH outcomes.