Improving Health and Hygiene Among Adolescents

Adolescents and youth representing almost one-third of the population of India are vulnerable to several problems such as adolescent pregnancy, excess risk of maternal and infant mortality, sexually transmitted infections, reproductive tract infections and rapidly rising incidence of HIV. Samarthan engaged in a project to influence the health seeking behaviour of adolescents in the district of Sehore.

• Nearly 300 youth facilitators were trained.
• Facilitators formed three types of groups in the village viz. adolescent boys groups, adolescent girls groups and newly married couple groups. The idea was to provide a platform to discuss issues and give proper guidance on issues of reproductive health and adolescence.
• Currently, three hundred and sixty youths-groups are also in place which have nearly 3000 members who meet (at least occasionally) and discuss the issues of health in the village. These groups have also started community based monitoring on the issue of health from the vantage point of adolescent and youth. The results are:
• In 24 villages the youth groups have developed village health plans which after approval by Gram Sabha have been submitted to Block Medical Officer.
•  In all 120 Panchayats there has been an increase by 20% in vaccination. The health department even gave a certificate to the organization recognizing this effort.
• At least 25 adolescent youth have given up addictions to tobacco chewing.