Evaluation of a youth-led participatory action research to address adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights issues in Senegal

ABSTRACT

Participatory approaches are increasingly popular in public health, but remain little used to address adolescent health issues. However, adolescent participation in research has enormous potential for identifying solutions to health issues that concern them. In Senegal, a youth-led participatory action research (YPAR) project was implemented in four communities where teams of adolescents were trained to conduct a research project and identify solutions to address adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights (ASRHR) issues. This article presents the results of the project evaluation, which aimed to explore the potential of YPAR to address ASRHR issues and inform future YPAR projects. Observations and interviews were carried out during results dissemination meetings in each of the communities. The evaluation of the project demonstrated the potential of YPAR to identify relevant solutions, while promoting positive and meaningful adolescent participation. Despite some difficulties, such as community resistance, the youth researchers were able to successfully complete their research project, while developing their confidence and self-esteem. The adolescents were convinced that they could act as agents of positive social change. This project has shown that it is possible and relevant to involve adolescents in research projects, and that this approach has significant potential in global health.

KEYWORDS:

• Adolescent participation
• Adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights
• Participatory action research
• Senegal
• Global health

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Adama Touré, Abdoulrazak Bagourmé, Aminata Dior Ndiaye, and Rudy Broers of Plan International’s Strengthening Health Outcomes for Women and Children (SHOW) programme in Senegal and Dr Stanley Zlotkin, Dr. Diego Bassani and Katie McLaughlin (SickKids Centre for Global Child Health) for their support and technical inputs. We acknowledge the regional and district medical offices in Kaolack and Tambacounda for their collaboration and support during the development and execution of the study. Finally, we extend our appreciation to the mentors, youth researchers, and community participants for their dedication, enthusiasm and participation in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by Global Affairs Canada (project # D-001999) and was developed in partnership with Plan International’s Strengthening Health Outcomes for Women and Children (SHOW) programme in Senegal.