In 1997, the Peruvian Social Security Institute (ESSalud) began a pilot school-based peer education program design to increase knowledge of sexual and reproductive health issues among adolescents of secondary school age, encourage responsible sexual behavior, and encourage use of IPSS health services for students who are covered by Social Security health insurance and Ministry of Health services for all other students. This paper presents findings from an impact evaluation of the ESSalud program. The basic study design was quasi-experimental panel design in which third- and fourth-level secondary school students were followed over two school years. Students attending secondary schools covered in a separate evaluation of the Peruvian Ministry of Education’s national sex education program were used as a control group. The outcomes of interest include knowledge of and attitudes toward selected reproductive health issues and prevalence of selected risk-taking and health-seeking behaviors. Data were obtained through surveys of approximately 6,000 students conducted prior to program implementation and again in late 1999. Multivariate statistical methods were used to account for differences in determinants of the outcomes of interest between students attending schools covered by the IPSS and MOE programs, as well as for the effects of possible program targeting.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be exposed to a methodology for evaluating the impact of peer promotion programs on sexual and reproductive health knowledge, attitudes and behaviors in urban Peru
Keywords: Adolescents, International, Reproductive Health
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.