Community Health Development: An Intervention Study among Young People in Kahe 2002-2006

Research area(s):

Project start:
01.01.1997

Project end:
31.12.2006

Co-ordinators:
Klepp, Knut-Inge
Talle, Aud

Institutions:

Funding source(s):
NUFU (The Norwegian Council for Higher Education’s Programme for Development Research and Education),

Project description:
The purpose is to promote the reproductive health of adolescents in Kahe Ward, Kilimanjaro through a comprehensive community-based intervention program. The population of Kahe is estimated to be approximately 22,000. Most villagers are farmers and many do business selling agricultural products and fish. The ward consists of 11 villages, each of which has their own primary school. There is only one governmental health centre, one private dispensary and one secondary school within the ward, which is considered a low socio-economic area. The study is guided by a theoretical framework drawing upon community-based health promotion and community development work, and the theoretical foundation underlying action research. Specific objectives include: provide adolescence with information and skills to promote reproductive health; foster personal attitudes, social norms and self-efficacy conducive to improved adolescent reproductive health; and to reduce STD/HIV-related risk behaviours. An evaluation design consisting of extensive process- and outcome evaluation will be employed. Outcome evaluation will be conducted using a time series design where the intervention communities serve as their own control. Specifically, 6th and 7th grade students, as well as a population-based sample of same-age out-of school children in each of the 11 villages will be surveyed annually during the time period 2001-2004. The intervention program itself will be implemented over 18 months during 2003-2004.

Countries:
Tanzania