Challenges in Monitoring and Evaluation of Programs that Address the Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of Sexually Diverse Populations

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Shelly Makleff, MPH, Evaluation, IPPF/WHR, 120 Wall St. 9th floor, New York, NY 10005, 212.214.0265, smakleff@ippfwhr.org

Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of programs that address the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of sexually diverse populations, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) individuals is a challenging undertaking. Common challenges were identified and addressed in a workshop involving project staff from International Planned Parenthood Federation/ Western Hemisphere Region (IPPF/WHR) member associations in Peru, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela currently implementing programs to meet the SRH needs of sexually diverse populations in their respective countries.

A portion of the workshop was spent discussing feasible M&E strategies and identifying indicators relevant for planning projects that address the SRH needs of sexually diverse populations. Discussions focused on the measurement of: LGBTQ-friendly service provision; promotion of services; Information, Education, and Communication activities; building of strategic alliances with LGBTQ organizations; advocacy around LGBTQ issues; and training and sensitization of staff.

Key points to consider when monitoring and evaluating programs that address the SRH needs of sexually diverse populations, as identified during the IPPF/WHR workshop, will be highlighted during this presentation. These key considerations include the importance of defining and operationalizing key concepts such as “sexual diversity” and “LBGTQ-friendly services” in the local context, ethical issues surrounding data collection from a population that is commonly stigmatized and discriminated against, and the gap between indicators and actual LGBTQ-friendly care. While the IPPF/WHR workshop was conducting in a Latin American context, lessons learned and challenges identified are applicable to a range of cultural settings.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to

•Discuss common challenges in monitoring and evaluation of programs that address the SRH needs of sexually diverse populations
•Identify key points to consider and strategies for monitoring and evaluating programs that address the SRH needs of sexually diverse populations

Keywords: Sexuality,

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation

Monitoring and Evaluation as Tools for Assessing the Achievement of Rights

The 134th Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 4-8, 2006) of APHA