The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #43714

Ismat Bhuiya, MSc MPH¹, Ubaidur Rob, Ph D¹, Laila Rahman, MCom², and M.E. Khan, PhD². (1) Population Council, House# CES(B)21, Road#118, Gulshan, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh, 880-2-8821227, ibhuiya@pcdhaka.org, (2) Bangladesh Country Office, Population Council, House # CES (B) 21, Road # 118, Gulshan, Dhaka, 1212, Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a country of 32 million adolescents. In the absence of any sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education this important segment of population is deprived of proper SRH information. In such a situation it is likely that they undertake risky sexual behavior with increasing age at marriage, rapid urbanization, and increased exposure to the unauthorized media like blue films and publications.

The above concerns led to launch a pilot project with a goal to improve the adolescents’ SRH. The project was designed to provide SRH education with a linkage to clinical services. The idea of imparting SRH to adolescents- was believed to be very sensitive. Due to the assumed sensitivity the project at first focused on creating an adolescent-friendly environment. For this, twelve focus group discussions and more than 100 sensitization meetings with parents, teachers, school management committees, political leaders, community leaders and religious leaders were conducted. Other methods included dissemination of baseline survey findings, cultural program on reproductive health issues, street drama and game events, AIDS day observation, publication, school and community visit as well as interpersonal communication.

Due to the above activities a friendly and enthusiastic environment had been created in favor of SRH education. Eventually it was possible to implement the SRH program both at the schools and in the community. Thus creation of friendly environment is considered prerequisite for imparting SRH education in a society like Bangladesh.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants in the session will be able to

• Recognize that friendly environment is a vital issue for adolescents' sexual and reproductive health education.
• Identify the barriers to implement sexual and reproductive education program in a traditional society like Bangladesh.
• List sensitization activities required to implement sexual and reproductive health education program.

Keywords: Sexuality, Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Population Council
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.