Youth Peer Providers: An effective model for increasing teen contraceptive use

Globally, young people encounter barriers to health services, particularly around sexual and reproductive health. To facilitate access to essential information and services, Planned Parenthood Global designed the Youth Peer Provider (YPP) model, in which teens offer education and a range of contraceptive methods to peers. Planned Parenthood Global has worked with CEMOPLAF, a leading sexual and reproductive health care provider in Ecuador, to implement this model over 20 years.

The objective of the current study was to assess the efficacy of the YPP model in improving sexual and reproductive health knowledge, attitudes, and practices among youth. CEMOPLAF administered a 54 item survey to 285 YPP clients and 224 peers. Topics included sexual and reproductive health knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Respondents ranged in age from 12-30. Pearson’s chi-square and independent samples t-tests were used to identify significant differences between the intervention and control groups.

YPP clients demonstrated improved sexual and reproductive health knowledge, attitudes, and practices compared to their peers. Clients were more likely to be able to name individual contraceptive methods, sexually transmitted infections, and symptoms of these infections. Compared to sexually active peers, clients were also more likely to have used a condom, to “always” use a condom during sex, to propose the use of a condom to a partner, and to have ever used a method other than a condom.

The study demonstrates the efficacy of the Youth Peer Provider model in improving the sexual and reproductive health knowledge, attitudes, and practices of young people.