4152.0: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 - 1:30 PM

Abstract #15271

Using community agricultural workers to enhance male involvement in reproductive health

Marilou Costello1, Lita Sealza2, Myrna Seidman3, Rebecka Lundgren3, and Gloria Meija3. (1) Program Associate, Population Council - Manila, Philippines, Monteverde Mansions, Unit 2A3, San Juan, 85 Xavier Street, Greenhills, Metro Manila, Philippines, (011)(63)(2) 722-6886, costello@philonline.com, (2) Research Institute for Mindanao Culture, (3) Georgetown University, Institute for Reproductive Health

The Male Involvement intervention study is implemented through KAANIB, an agrarian NGO that works on helping subsistence farmers establish diversified and sustainable farms with the majority of its members being men. The intervention consists of identifying couple educators from the community and training them to conduct community education sessions using the Reproductive Health Awareness (RHA) model developed by the Institute for Reproductive Health, Georgetown University.

The analysis will focus on the effects of the intervention in increasing family planning use, increasing knowledge and practices of STD & RTI prevention, enhancing couples' communication about RH, and increasing appropriate utilization of available reproductive health service among men and their spouses. It also tests linkages between the local government system and development oriented non-governmental organization to improve health program performance as measured by facility based indicators and successful couple educators' referrals from the community. The study utilizes a non-equivalent before and after control group design.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, participants will recognize the value of male participation in reproductive health services. They will also understand the process of linkages between local governmental and NGO systems

Keywords: Reproductive Health, Community Participation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
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