Paper
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
This presentation is part of : Child and Adolescent Health Issues
Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs) Among young People: A 'Social Franchising Approach to Prevention"
Mary Arevian, MPH, RN, BSN, Nursing and Health sciences, School of Nursing, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
Learning Objective #1: Describe the major findings of the study.
Learning Objective #2: Appreciate the need for preventive programs utilizing "social franchising approach"

Abstract

 Background: Reproductive tract infections are an important public heath problem among adolescents in industrialized and developing countries. Purpose: 1) assess knowledge/ perceptions of youth about RTIs and  youth friendly services in the community and 2) assess the acceptability and feasibility for the youth of adopting a “social franchising approach” for prevention. Design: Cross sectional descriptive survey.  Sample: a convenient sample of 226 Lebanese/Armenian youth, ages 15-24 selected from schools/university, youth clubs and from work places in Bourj Hammoud area. Instrument: Self- administered questionnaire. Results: Majority of the youth had either little or wrong knowledge/perceptions of RTIs, except for HIV/AIDS, on the other hand, 92.0% perceived that the youth were sexually active. Most of the respondents preferred to consult first their parents in case they encountered RTIs, only then consult with a physician. Only 54.0% of the respondents showed willingness to inform their sexual partners in case they had RTIs in contrast, 81.9% wanted to be told if their partners had RTIs. Majority of the youth (93.8%) would like to have a health center dedicated for them and 84.2% would use youth friendly services if available.  Implications: awareness-raising campaigns about RTIs, for the youth and the general community, especially the parents, creation of youth friendly centers in different schools and utilization of “Social franchising approach to strengthen capacity to institutionalize prevention of RTIs.