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

Abstract #111706

Mark Macauda, MA¹, Dugeidy Ortiz, BA², Grace Granado³, Pamela I. Erickson, DrPH, PhD², Marcia Mayfield, MPH⁴, and Louise Badiane, RN, MA². (1) Department of Anthropology, University of Connecticut, 354 Mansfield Rd U-2176, Storrs, CT 06269, 860-486-0069, mark.macauda@uconn.edu, (2) Anthropology Dept., University of Connecticut, Beach Hall, Rm. #432, Unit 2176, 354 Mansfield Rd, Storrs, CT 06269-2176, (3) Safe Harbor, Maria Clara St, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines, (4) EngenderHealth, 440 Ninth Ave., New York, NY 10001

During 2004, a partnership consisting of the University of Connecticut; EngenderHealth, New York; De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines; and the University of Bohol, Tagbilaran City, Philippines implemented a comprehensive adolescent reproductive health education and services program called “Safe Harbor” in Tagbilaran City. The intervention included a teen resource center, a medical clinic, in-school and outreach programs utilizing peer volunteers, and a call-in radio show. A pre and post intervention survey was administered to about 1000 in-school students at local high schools and colleges. The survey asked about knowledge of contraceptives, STIs, HIV, safe sex practices and attitudes towards gender roles and gender equity. The analysis indicated that there were statistically significant improvements in knowledge and attitudes in areas targeted by the intervention including: An increase in knowledge of STIs/HIV and prevention, more liberal attitudes towards gender equity, and increased acceptance of making reproductive health information and services available to youth. In addition, focus group discussions with community members, teachers, parents, and health providers underscored the importance of community involvement in making the Safe Harbor project viable in this predominately Catholic and conservative region.

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

• Describe the components of the Safe Harbor adolescent sexual and reproductive health intervention in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines.
• Evaluate the success of the Safe Harbor project, based upon the analysis presented of the pre- and post-intervention surveys.
• Discuss the importance of community “buy-in” to the success of the Safe Harbor project.

Keywords: Reproductive Health, Adolescents

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.