SRH Program Background

1.       SRH Program Background

Today adolescents and young people are the largest proportion of the world’s population in history. Nearly half of the world’s population is under the age of 25, developing countries taking the share of 87%.

Available evidences show that the youth in Ethiopia are affected by sexual and Reproductive Health related problems. This is mainly due to lack of proper knowledge, positive attitude and skills. As the 2011 EDHS vividly shown, adolescent within age 15-19, only 1 % of young women and 17% of young men used condoms during their first sexual encounter. Among sexually active youth age 15-24, 6% of women and 37% of men are engaged in higher-risk sexual activity. Similarly, 12% of the Ethiopian women aged 15-19 years were already mothers or pregnant with their first child. Sexual initiation and childbearing begin early in Ethiopia, with young people often having little knowledge and limited access to reproductive health services.

In addition, one of the reasons for drop out of students, and low academic achievements were observed link with sexual and reproductive health problems.DEC is primarily focused on improving the quality of primary education. To alleviate the SRH problems of students, it started creating awareness on HIV/AIDS through school clubs with a motto ‘End of HIV/AIDS begins at school’. While assessing the impact of the program, it did not bring the desired results. Youth need assessment was undertaken to identify what youth need and how to address it. Holistic approach was required that can enhance their knowledge and skill, and cultivate positive attitude. The environment should be made friendly in relation to reproductive healthservices and community awareness.

 

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