Programs involving men in reproductive health are usually fall into three categories, according to their objectives: I) to meet the reproductive & sexual health needs of men; II) to increase men’s support for women’s sexual & reproductive health; and III) to promote gender equity—especially in sexual and reproductive rights and decision-making--and the well-being of children of both sexes. There is debate about whether programs should emphasize one, two or all three objectives. Regardless of the emphasis, program managers want to evaluate the effectiveness of activities and therefore require indicators that reflect the objectives selected. This paper presents a set of indicators for each of the three objectives for programs in men and reproductive health mentioned above. The indicators were developed by evaluation specialists, under the auspices of the Men and Reproductive Health (RH)Subcommittee of the USAID Interagency Gender Working Group. The process included extensive review and revision based on the input of Subcommittee members. Examples of indicators for category I include: changes in percent of men who know about male methods and where to obtain RH services; changes in attitudes about men’s RH, RH services and methods; changes in use of men’s RH services including those that address STDs, sexual dysfunction, infertility, and male cancers; and changes in use of condoms. The presentation will describe indicators for programs attempting to accomplish all 3 objectives, and will describe initial efforts to test their use. These indicators are considered to be applicable to a variety of programs in the reproductive health field.
Learning Objectives: 1. To distinguish among, and judge the value of, three objectives for male involvement in reproductive health programs 2. To identify means of evaluating progress towards each of the three objectives 3. To analyze progrmas using the indicators described
Keywords: Male Reproductive Health, Evaluation
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: USAID Men and Reproductive Health Subcommittee of the Interagency Gender Working Group
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.