Sexual Behaviour Patterns and their Determinants among Adolescents

(2000 - 02)

WHO -Geneva

Resettlement Colony in South Delhi – Sangam Vihar covering 50,000 population

Tigri, JJ Camp urban slum in South Delhi of population 45,000

Understanding of sexual behaviour patterns and their determinants amongst adolescents in urban slums and urban settlements and suggest intervention that are appropriate to promote sexual well-being and better reproductive health status

Adolescent Health and Development in India: An Action Approach

(2000)

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India,

UNFPA

Ten Indian States – Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa, Manipur

Provided an overview of the existing adolescent health and development policies and programmes in the country and suggested to the Government of India the policy recommendations and action plan

Dimensions of Early Pregnancy in Rural and Urban India

(2001 – 03)

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, and UNFPA

Located in six states of the country, namely Karnataka, Rajasthan, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh , West Bengal,and Uttar Pradesh. Each study area had population of 60,000 including rural and urban.

Examined prevailing status and determinants of early pregnancy and undertook interventions for its prevention

What Every Adolescent Has Right to Know

(2003-04)

Districts of Ajmer and Karauli in Rajasthan, and districts of Bankura and 24 South Pragana in West Bengal

Expected outcomes: Addressing the communication needs of the young people with a focus on the out-of-school youth and developing guidelines /strategies for socio-culturally gender sensitive and youth friendly communication package for prevention of HIV/AIDS.

‘Zero Violence Zone’ A pilot initiative: Urban rural situations

(2003 - 04)

2,000 households – at Resettlement Colony in South Delhi – Sangam Vihar and in Community Development Block Bawal, Rewari, Harayana

Create a ‘Zero-violence Zone’ in the community to provide maximum opportunities for most favourable physical, psychological, mental and emotional well being of community members, especially women and young girls.

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Adolescents and the public health system

(2003-04)

Mandi and Una districts of Himachal Pradesh

Examined the extent of preparedness of public health system to cater to the health care needs of adolescents

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When Knowledge is Power ---To Prevent, Young People's Health and Development: A

Sexual and Reproductive Health Centered Action Approach, Rewari, Haryana

(2004-08)

A cohort of students of classes VII till Xth four schools: two schools each (one boys' and one girls' school) in urban (Rewari) and rural (Bawal) settings in the state of Haryana was followed. The total cohort strength of about 500

Mediating factors like knowledge, perception of HIV risk, personal values about sex and abstinence , perception of peer norms and others have a positive effect on sexual behaviour and on condom and contraceptive use. The results from this study demonstrate a significant impact on many mediating factors. It further highlights that programmes addressing adolescent Sexual and reproductive health should be delivered over a period time to be effective.

Results from the present study can be used as an evidence base for advocacy for expanding Adolescence Education in school settings and to further expand understanding of different approaches to sexuality education in India and the South Asia region.

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‘A Sociological And Marketing Study Of Condom Usage In India’, (2002-03)

Sample of urban and rural Male and Female between ages 15-35 years were drawn from states of Andhra Pradesh (Hyderabad, Rajamundri, Vishakhapatnam), Bihar (Patna, Muzaffarnagar), Rajasthan (JKaipur, Jodhpur, jaisalmer) and Gujarat (Gandhinagar, Surat)

The study ascertained critical barriers like Socio Cultural, Information, Gender in relation to Condom usage in various Socio- Economic categories with special emphasis on  the young and the economically marginalized. It further identified most important criteria needed to enhance usage of Condoms at all levels, especially among the  poor and the young. It further studied various social and marketing constraints and existing distribution channels.

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Differentials in growth and development & attainment of pubertal milestones among boys : a cross sectional study’

(2003-04)

Population proportional cross sectional sample  of total 971 boys of 10-18 years of age from urban slum of Delhi and Rurarl population of Bawal block Rewari district, Haryana.

The study attempted to understand Variability in Growth and Development & pubertal changes among adolescent boys in marginalised or poverty context and in rural/urban settings and compared the extent of deviation from/in normalcy (national age & sex specific standards).

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An Action approach for reduction of Early Marriage and Early Pregnancy among Young People in Rajasthan

(2004-05)

1695 young people male and female from Jhun Jhunu and Swai Madopur districts, Rajasthan participated in the situational analysis.

The study  releals

 information related not only to factors contributing to early marriage but to understanding of  diversified cultural ethos and practices in the two districts. This understanding will formed a base for effective intervention models to be used in strategically curbing the prevalent practices of early marriage.

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Assessment of the Vulnerability of rural population to HIV/AIDS - Other than those covered under TI’

(2005-06)

Two selected districts in each of five states: Madhya Pradesh (Betul, Vidisha), Meghalaya (East Garo Hills, West Khashi Hills), Karnataka (Rural Banglore, Shimoga), Haryana (Sirsa, Hisar) and Eastern UP (Jaunpur Sidharthnagar).

The study assessed the risk environment and vulnerability of rural populations to HIV/AIDS in districts other than covered under targated intervention. The study recommended specific for strategies to address these populations. The study recommendations bring in vulnerability components in forefront addressed in NACP III.

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Establishing Innovative HIV Communications Strategies and Models for Young People

2006-07

Four districts - Kadappa, Karimnagar, East Godavari, Mahaboobnagar from a high prevalence state – Andhra

Pradesh – and four districts – Pilibhit, Aligarh, Etawah and Basti from a highly vulnerable state – Uttar Pradesh. In

each of the eight districts, two blocks were identified for community-based interactive qualitative research.

The project through consultative process with the partners and field partners identified the main learning’s to base the HIV strategy on.

Through a period of one year the project was able to develop and deliver an HIV Communication Matrix: Detailing current behaviors, practices, communication channels and key communication messages for population segments of 10-24 years. The report is expected to inform interested programme planners and communication designers to understand the context and develop or fine tune their strategies.

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Types and Level of Hospital Autonomy in Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh’

(2006-07)

Medical facilities of Uttarkhand 3 facilities of : Rishikesh, District Hardwar, Srinagar Pauri District Pauri Garwal, District Haldwani; Rajasthan 5 facilities from - Alwar District, Dungarpur district, Sikar district; Madhya Pradesh 5 facilities from Dewas District, Raisen District and Sehore district.

The study highlighted type of hospital autonomy adopted in the three states in the three tire public health system. It identified the key components of hospital autonomy attained and the level / degree to which hospital autonomy, described into its components such as management capacity at all level of service providers, is being practiced.

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Evaluation of Creating Enabling Environment on YRSHR with Special Focus on Early Marriage and Early Pregnancy in Rajasthan

(Jul 2008)

Retrospective census covered a total of11,860 households were interviewed in the four intervention areas, Looni Block (13 villages) in Jodhpur District, Alsisar Block (9 villages) in Jhunjhunu District, Ladpura Block (12 villages) in Kota District and Bonli Block (14 villages) in Sawai Madhopur District, Rajasthan.

Combination of intervention in Rajasthan is evidenced to delay the age of marriage. The project adopted certain key strategies like- mobilizing core community groups – Stake holders and gate keepers; working with young people; NGO networking and advocacy with concerned departments and officials as a comprehensive program package for increasing age at marriage.

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Touching Lives Empowering Communities

Evidences from Pilot Interventions, Rounds of evaluation research of direct intervention

(2004-08)

775 respondents (young people) from three intervention areas – Bawal, Rewari, Haryana, Pindra block Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh, Koramaglam slum, Bangalore, Karnataka, participated in IR-I (2004), 862 in IR II (2006) and 1,194 in IR III (2008).

A holistic community-based intervention should be used more effectively to ensure that an appropriate environment exists for reducing young people's vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections and for implementing targeted interventions.

One-time interventions or isolated structures that support youth participation are not sustainable; feedback mechanisms include input from and generate dialogue between young people, their families, local councils and other community institutions, national governments, seem successful.

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Action Research Addressing Masculinities among Young Men in India –in Gorakhpur

(2005-08)

300 Males of 15-24 years exposed in the pilot intervention out of 524 recruited.

The intervention activities were also considered

culturally appropriate for both rural and urban different settings in India The results of this study suggest that young men became less supportive of inequitable gender norms after participating in the interventions, whereas in the comparison groups, there tended to be little or no positive change, or the changes were in the wrong direction. Similarly, there were significant improvements among intervention participants in key outcome indicators, including condom use, partner communication, partner violence, and attitudes toward PLHIV.

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Panchayat’s Role in Improving New Born, Infant and Maternal Health.

(2007-08)

Districts of Vidisha and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh,

Karauli and Ajmer districts in Rajasthan and

Siddhartha Nagar and Lucknow districts in Uttar Pradesh. In each district one block was selected. From each block two Panchayats have been selected, one having male Sarpanch and the other having female Sarpanch.

The initiative studied present level of functioning of the Panchayat Raj Institution in the State of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in terms of maternal and infant health against the Precise “centrality” accorded to the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the NRHM addressing MMR and IMR. The study further highlighted existing capacities of PRI members in light of their expected roles and constraints that the PRIs face in performing their roles related to bringing down MMR and IMR.

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A Culture of Trust and Confidence

'Friends' Youth Friendly Health Center

(2005-08)

Intervention covered 11 blocks of Tigri slum spread over 4 square kilometers covering a total population of more than 50,000 from around 7,000 households. The centre addressed young peoples' health needs especially SRH concerns through medical and counseling services, basic laboratory facilities, drug dispensary for young people, aged 10-24, married and unmarried, male and female.

Given that young people tend not to use existing reproductive health services, specialized approaches needed to be established to attract, serve and retain young clients.

Use of youth centers as a strategy to reach youth with SRH information and services has been limited in India and the South Asia region.

Standard operating procedures are important to ensure quality of services.

Youth participation in designing the clinic - deciding on the clinic timing, ambiance and suggestions on clinic setup can build ownership among the young people. Suggestions and feedback from young clients, if recorded systematically, can be used for improving quality of services. Out reach services are integral to client turnout and must focus on making clients aware of the need for these services and service availability.