5281.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - Board 3

Abstract #13706

Sexual and Reproductive Health Promotion for and with Adolescent Boys and Young Men: A Latin American Regional Collaboration

Gary T. Barker, MA, Instituto PROMUNDO, Brazil, SRTN 701 Conj. C, No. 124, Sala 314-A, Ed. Centro Empresarial Norte, Brasilia,DF, 70710-200, Brazil, 5561 328-1278, garysuy@aol.com, Judith Helzner, International Planned Parenthood Federation/WHR, 120 Wall Street, New York, NY 10005-3902, Benno de Keijzer, Salud y Genero, Margareth Arilha, ECOS- Estudos e Comunicacao em Sexualidade e Saude Reprodutiva, and Jorge Lyra, PAPAI.

This paper presents the emerging results of a two-year collaboration among Salud y Genero, Mexico; ECOS - Estudos e Comunicação em Sexualidade e Saúde Reprodutiva, Brazil; Instituto PROMUNDO, Brazil; PAPAI, Brazil; and the International Planned Parenthood Federation/WHR, to: -- Develop workbooks targeting health providers on the reproductive and sexual health needs of boys. -- Disseminate a policy briefing on the needs of boys; -- Organize regional meetings to exchange ideas on working with boys; -- Produce health educational materials for boys produced by adolescent boys.

While at lower rates than young women, adolescent boys in Latin America face high rates of STIs and STDs, including HIV/AIDS. For many boys, STDs are frequently ignored; in other cases boys rely on home remedies or self-treatment. An estimated one in four of all persons infected by HIV/AIDS is a young man under age 25. Adolescent men are directly involved in the sexual health conditions of adolescent women, including STIs, STDs, pregnancy-related complications and sexual and domestic violence. As partners of adolescent women, boys may lack information, may not adequately participate in reproductive health, may lack skills for negotiation in relationships, may not take responsiblity for children they father, and may use violence. This project will engage boys and NGOs working with them in developing educational and advocacy materials for health and education service providers, policymakers and young men themselves. The project is building on existing experiences with boys to improve their lives and the lives of their partners.

Learning Objectives: -- Identify existing data and program experiences related to the holistic health needs of adolescent boys in Latin America, including reproductive/sexual health, violence prevention, substance use and mental health, and general health and developmental needs. -- Identify strategies for sensitizing public and private sector health providers, and professionals in the education sector, on the health and development needs of adolescent boys. -- Identify strategies for increasing awareness among policymakers on the needs of adolescent boys. -- Identify strategies for collaboration among NGOs and GOs on the health needs of adolescent boys

Keywords: Adolescents, International, Male Reproductive Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: -- Salud y Genero, Mexico -- ECOS (Estudos e Comunicacao em Sexualidade e Saude Reprodutiva), Brazil -- Instituto PROMUNDO, Brazil -- PAPAI, Brazil -- International Planned Parenthood Federation/WHR
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA