Addressing social factors of adolescent reproductive health in the Republic of Georgia

Abstract

The influence of social factors on reproductive health has been highlighted by researchers in the last decade, yet programmes to improve adolescent reproductive health (ARH) rarely address social factors such as gender discrimination. Beginning in 2004, CARE International implemented and evaluated a three-year ARH project to address individual behaviour change, institutional capacity and local social norms related to ARH in a rural district of the Republic of Georgia. Community engagement strategies included: promoting community support for ARH by adolescent/adult volunteer change agents; building health providers’ capacity to better meet the needs of adolescents; and using ‘Theatre for Development’ to promote community dialogue about social norms. Project evaluation data demonstrated improved knowledge, attitudes, behaviour about family planning, improved institutional capacity to provide adolescent services and some evidence of shifts in gender norms. Community engagement is critical for successful strategies to influence social norms that promote healthy reproductive health.

Keywords:

• adolescent
• reproductive health
• Georgia
• community
• social norms
• gender

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Tom Barton and Florina Serbanescu for their invaluable contributions to the final evaluation of the project, and also Jennifer Rosenzweig, Patrick Welsh, Usha Vatsia and David Kerr for their helpful technical assistance to project staff, partners and participants.