225110 Using technology to manage and disseminate youth reproductive health and HIV information at a global scale: Evaluation of the Interagency Youth Working Group experience

Monday, November 8, 2010

Joy Cunningham, MPH , Research Utilization, FHI 360, Research Triangle Park, NC
Kelly L'Engle, PhD, MPH , Behavioral and Social Sciences, FHI 360, Research Triangle Park, NC
Elizabeth Futrell, MSPH , Research Utilization, Family Health International, Research Triangle Park, NC
Since 2006, the Interagency Youth Working Group (IYWG), a network of nongovernmental organizations, donors, and cooperating agencies, has aimed to improve reproductive health (RH) and HIV/ AIDS outcomes for youth ages 10-24 in low-resource settings by increasing access to information on effective youth RH/ HIV programs, research, and resources tailored to developing country conditions. Knowledge management and dissemination activities include a comprehensive IYWG Web site; Youth InfoNet, an electronic digest of new resources and published research; YouthLens, a series of technical briefs, available online and in print; and technical meetings.

The presentation will highlight the innovative methodology and results of a 2009 evaluation of IYWG activities. The evaluation used an online survey of 246 respondents from over 50 countries; key informant interviews with 10 individuals spanning five continents; and Google Analytics, which revealed patterns in use of the IYWG Web site by visitors from 184 countries. These methods identified how youth RH/HIV professionals access and use IYWG information. The presentation will illustrate how the IYWG evaluation findings have been applied, familiarizing participants with IYWG resources on youth RH/HIV.

The evaluation showed that, on average, respondents visited the IYWG web site once a month, with 30% visiting the site once a week or more. This and other findings highlight the unique position of the IYWG Web site to connect youth RH/HIV professionals, foster partnerships, and provide skill-building opportunities. Presenting IYWG approaches and evaluation results will inform others who use online and more traditional communications mediums to improve RH/HIV outcomes worldwide.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Communication and informatics
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Diversity and culture
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
Name the main resources provided by the IYWG and explain how to access these resources. Describe the methodology used to evaluate the activities of the IYWG, highlighting the ways in which new technologies enhanced the evaluators’ ability to collect useful information. Explain how IYWG practices and evaluation results may inform the activities of other global youth RH/ HIV knowledge management and dissemination efforts.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to be an abstract author on the content I am responsible for because I am the Senior Technical Officer for Youth at Family Health International, which serves as the secretariat for the Interagency Youth Working Group.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3272.0: Global Interventions on Adolescent Reproductive Health