|
|
|
|
|
Pat W. Mosena, PhD, Director, Illinois Subsequent Pregnancy Project, 5646 Kimbark, Chicago, IL 60637, 773-288-1682, mosena@aol.com, Janice Ely, Region V, DHHS/OPA, 233 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60601, Holly S. Ruch-Ross, ScD, Research & Evaluation Consultant, 9345 Avers Ave, Evanston, IL 60203, and Jane H. Patten, MPH, YRS Reproductive Health Clinic, Tojan, Pering, Blahbatuh, Gianyar, Bali, 80581, Indonesia.
Growing up in neighborhoods with high rates of poverty, school dropout, teenage pregnancy and HIV/AIDS, many adolescent males face high risks and limited access to information and resources. This paper describes Peer Advocates for Health (PAH), a community-based program designed to: 1) improve reproductive health knowledge; 2) increase healthy lifestyle choices, and 3) increase access to family planning clinic services for adolescent males. Development of the PAH program model and curriculum was supported by DHHS, Region V, Office of Family Planning as a 5-year demonstration project for adolescent males, ages 14-18, living in neighborhoods on the south side of Chicago. PAH provides on-going intense training, individual support, and employment experience to 25 young men each year. 75 young African American males from 15 high schools have been trained. Mean age is 15.9; 58.7 % are in single-parent households; and 32% have not had sex at program entry. After one year, reproductive health knowledge; use of condoms at last sexual intercourse; communication among partners, parents and peers; and utilization of clinics for reproductive health services (condoms, STDs, contraception) have increased among PAH participants. Once trained, these young men are eager and enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge. In two years, Peer Advocates reached 3,761 other adolescents through individual contacts and presentations to schools, church groups, homeless shelters, health fairs, and monthly discussions with middle school children and their parents. Peer Advocates has become a network of young men providing information on adolescent health issues to their own communities in Chicago.
Learning Objectives: Participants in this session will be able to
Keywords: Adolescents, Male Reproductive Health
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.