Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #110236

Cynthia Green, PhD¹, Mona Selim, MS, MPH², Amel Gamal², and Ola Mandil². (1) Monitoring and Evaluation Department, CEDPA, 1400 16th St, NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 939-2690, cgreen@cedpa.org, (2) CEDPA/Egypt Country Office, 53, Manial Street, Suite 500, Manial El Rodah, Cairo, 11451, Egypt

Background: The New Visions Program, a nonformal education program for boys and young men aged 12-20, was implemented in 11 governorates of Egypt during 2002-2004. The program's objectives were to increase the reproductive health knowledge and gender sensitivity of young men and encourage the development of key life skills. Over a six-month period participants attended 64 educational sessions taught by trained facilitators in youth centers. Objective: To determine whether participants in the training program experienced changes in self-expression, gender sensitivity, reproductive health knowledge, and life skills. Methods: A 2004 evaluation study in four governorates was based on a survey of 2,314 program participants before the course and 2,224 following the course. Of these, 1,477 records were matched for individuals; these records form the basis of the analysis. Results: Respondents reported increased self-confidence, improved communication skills and greater ability to deal with anger and stress. Knowledge of contraceptive methods and HIV/AIDS increased significantly. Attitudes on traditional gender norms and roles began to break down. For example, the proportion of respondents considered family decisionmaking to be a joint responsibility rose from 71% at baseline to 93% at endline. The proportion of respondents who thought a husband was justified in hitting his wife if she answers back declined from 57% at baseline to 26% at endline. Nevertheless, some unfavorable attitudes remained at program's end. For example, 35% of the respondents still thought that boys and girls should be treated differently in regard to freedom of movement outside the house.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will learn about the results of a six-month education program for Egyptian males aged 12-2
• Participants will be able to identify the attitudes and knowledge that changed over the six-month intervention as well as those that did not change.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Gender

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.