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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Ainat Koren, PhD RN¹, Lynne Man, PhDc, MS, MPH², Shannon Quinn³, Curtis Lopes³, Jose Mangual³, and Susan O'Brien, MA³. (1) Nursing Department, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 3 Solomont Way, Suite 2, Lowell, MA 01854, 978 934-4429, ainat_koren@uml.edu, (2) Heller School of Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, MS035 Brandeis University, Waltham, MA 02454-09110, (3) Pro Health, MOC, 326 Nichols Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420

The sexual and reproductive health of young men remains a neglected area of public health. Today's young men generally mature earlier and marry later than former generations but often do not have access to information and services that could help them make wise decisions about sexuality, reproduction, relationships, marriage and parenting. Pro Health, a division of Montachusett Opportunity Council, Inc., employed a multi-site multi- method project supported by the U.S. Department of Human Health and Services in the greater Fitchburg area of Massachusetts. The project engages young men 12-24 years old and specifically targets "hard to reach", high risk Hispanic and African American males. It focuses on innovative approaches for providing information and education regarding male sexuality and reproductive health. The program was delivered through community-based outreach and education programs (Wise Guys), men's education network sites (barbers shops, supply shops and churches), community centers, peer educators, and young men's clinics. Project evaluation based on questionnaires and focus groups data show increase in knowledge, improved sex-role attitudes, such as respect and sensitivity regarding positive relationships, and communication with parents and partners. Data collected shows substantial increase of men utilizing the clinic and high satisfaction of the service provided. Among the key lessons learned from the men reproductive health project are: (1) community partnerships are essential for recruitment of the project participants, (2) reaching high risk young men requires creative innovations and culturally geared interventions, and (3) Mixed methods (surveys, focus groups, and tracking) provides richer data opportunities for program evaluation.

Learning Objectives:

1.Participants will learn specific challenges to outreach, recruitment and retention of high risk young men in reproductive health/family planning project.
• Participants will gain understanding regarding innovations for outreach, recruitment and retention of young high risk young men in reproductive health
• Participants would be able to understand the added value of using mixed data to evaluate the accomplishment of intervention project in men reproductive health.

Keywords: Public Health Education and Health Promotion, Male Reproductive Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation