Sexual and reproductive healthcare in Latin America
Latin America is faced with a general early onset of sexual activity among adolescents. Yet there has not been enough done to help prevent sexually transmitted diseases or unwanted pregnancy. This has resulted in a multitude of societal problems. Governments of Latin American countries are calling for better strategies to effectively improve health conditions for adolescents. A four-year study across three Latin American cities was conducted by the EU-funded 'Community-embedded reproductive health care for adolescents' (CERCA) project. The work aimed at improving knowledge on how health systems can be more responsive to the changing sexual en reproductive health needs of adolescents. Existing methodologies for intervention research and behavioural theories were combined and a comprehensive approach that integrated family, community and authority support was implemented. As a result, both quantitative and qualitative evidence was gathered and a methodological model for developing, implementing and testing of health promoting strategies was designed. Data that was monitored indicated that the model could be applied for mobile phone messages for outreach, community intervention by trained adults as well as supply of adolescent friendly services in primary healthcare centres and schools. The research has contributed to policy at the local level as well as to national and international strategies. New developed proposals based on the outcomes have resulted in scaling up interventions and funding for further research.
Keywords
Sexual and reproductive healthcare, Latin America, adolescents, sexual activity, community intervention
