Thomas P. Harkins, MA, MPH, Family and Community Health (Women and Maternal Health Unit ), Pan American Health Organization (WHO), 525 Twenty-third Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20037, (202) 974-3518, harkinst@paho.org

It is widely recognized that involving men in sexual and reproductive health efforts is a key public health concern. The Pan American Health Organization (WHO) has recently implemented male involvement pilot projects in low income communities in six Central American countries: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. These initiatives were formulated on the basis of quantitative and qualitative research carried out in each country.

These research findings demonstrated a low level of sexual and reproductive health knowledge among the region’s men - over 75% believe that oral contraceptives can cause infertility while more than 65% think that vasectomy will lead to a loss of sexual desire. Encouragingly, though, over 80% express a desire for more information and greater access to health services. Attention to the role of men in sexual and reproductive health has largely been couched in negative terms while the health sector itself is not wholly comfortable with bringing men into a primary care model based largely on the maternal-child dyad.

Country specific programs were designed to engage health care providers as well as adolescent and adult men. The project developed models to increase men’s participation at the work place (or other places where men gather) and in local health services. The necessity for cooperation between governmental health services and NGOs was built into the plan. Each country and program experienced particular successes and challenges, though all gained valuable experience in expanding the possibilities for engaging men in a manner that benefits the entire community.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the regional and country specific trends in male sexual and reproductive health and behavior in Central America
• Recognize the potential public health benefits created by expanding male access to sexual and reproductive health services
• Describe the programmatic challenges and best practices of local level initiatives
• Define the necessary requirements for monitoring and evaluating male involvement efforts

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.