Document Type

Brief

Publication Date

2008

Abstract

As in many developing countries, young people in Kenya and Senegal (aged 10–20) account for about 25 percent of the population. To ensure their future contribution to their countries, it is of vital strategic importance to safeguard their welfare. Rapid social change in both countries exposes youth to sexual and reproductive health (RH) risks, including unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections including HIV, and sexual violence. Beginning in 1999, the Population Council’s FRONTIERS program conducted operations research studies that tested the feasibility, acceptability, and cost of a public-sector, multisectoral intervention to enhance young people’s RH knowledge and behavior. Study findings showed improvement in young people's RH behavior and knowledge, successful engagement of government ministries, and increased understanding of RH needs among communities. Communities and the participating ministries in Kenya and Senegal expressed interest in incorporating elements from these interventions into their routine operations. FRONTIERS and its local partners launched follow-up projects in both countries to adapt, expand, institutionalize, and scale up the activities. This brief describes the processes involved in institutionalizing and scaling up the multisectoral interventions.

DOI

10.31899/rh14.1020

Language

English

Project

Frontiers in Reproductive Health

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