SUPPORT HEALTH NEEDS OF 1000 ADOLESCENTS IN UGANDA

Project Overview:

The SUPPORT HEALTH NEEDS OF 1000 ADOLESCENTS project aims to empower adolescents in Kawempe with comprehensive healthcare services, education on sexual and reproductive health (SRH), and access to essential resources, fostering a healthier and more informed future generation.

Key Activities:

Community outreaches: Conducted 45 community outreaches in Kampala providing free health checkups, basic medication, and referrals to secondary care services. Over 850 adolescents (52% female, 48% male) received medical attention.

Sexual and reproductive health education dialogues: Hosted 12 interactive community dialogues covering topics like healthy relationships, contraception, menstrual hygiene, and preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These dialogues reached 560 adolescents (60% female, 40% male).

Peer Education Program: Trained 20 adolescent peer educators in SRH knowledge and communication skills. The peer educators delivered informative sessions to their peers in schools and community centers, reaching an additional 380 adolescents.

Major Achievements:

 92% of adolescents surveyed at community outreaches reported increased awareness of Sexual and reproductive health topics after attending workshops.

78% of participants in the peer education program gained the confidence to discuss Sexual and reproductive health concerns with peers and healthcare providers.

Recommendation

• Integrate mental health awareness programs: Expand services to address the growing need for psychosocial support among adolescents.
• Develop digital Sexual and reproductive health information platforms: Create online resources and mobile apps to reach a wider audience beyond physical community dialogues.
• Advocate for policy changes: Collaborate with government agencies and policymakers to improve access to essential healthcare services for adolescents.

Conclusion:

The SUPPORT HEALTH NEEDS OF 1000 ADOLESCENTS project has made significant progress in empowering adolescents with holistic healthcare, education, and resources. The milestones achieved during this quarter demonstrate the project's positive impact on the health, knowledge, and well-being of young people. We remain committed to scaling up our efforts, addressing emerging challenges, and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure every adolescent has the opportunity to thrive.