Study of 1,521 adolescents and caregivers highlights the potential of community-based, youth-led education in humanitarian settings

A new study involving researchers from the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET) has found substantial short-term improvements in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge, attitudes, and self-confidence among internally displaced adolescents and caregivers in Gaza following a youth-led educational intervention. 

Published in Therapeutic Advances in Reproductive Health, the study included 1,521 participants from Gaza City, the Middle Area, and Khan Younis. The intervention included 78 outreach visits and 42 structured educational sessions delivered by 30 trained youth volunteers across shelters, informal camps, and community spaces. 

The intervention brought together four EMPHNET-developed initiatives: Healthy Her, Safe Choices, Together for Her Health, and Life & Body Talks. Sessions addressed topics including puberty, menstruation, family planning, sexually transmitted infections, early marriage, and reproductive health. Group discussions, storytelling, games, problem-solving exercises, and other participatory activities were used to address misconceptions and encourage discussion around sensitive health issues. Adolescents and caregivers attended separate sessions to ensure content was age-appropriate and culturally acceptable. 

Following the intervention, understanding of the normal menstrual cycle increased from 39.8% to 99.5%, awareness that early marriage increases pregnancy- and childbirth-related risks rose from 23.4% to 88.8%, and recognition of hormonal injections as a family planning method increased from 30.8% to 97.8%. 

"In displacement settings, access to reliable health information can become extremely limited. These findings show the potential of trained young people to bring accurate information closer to communities, address misconceptions, and create safer spaces for adolescents and caregivers to discuss issues that are often difficult to talk about,” said Dr. Abeer Ismail, study author and Senior Technical Officer at EMPHNET.

The study also found improvements in participants’ attitudes and confidence in making informed health decisions. The authors suggest that involving caregivers may help create more supportive environments for adolescents and encourage dialogue around sensitive SRH topics within families. 

The authors note that the findings reflect short-term changes measured immediately after the intervention and that the study did not include a comparison group. They recommend controlled studies with longer follow-up to determine whether these improvements are sustained and translate into longer-term behavioral outcomes. 

Read the full study: https://bit.ly/4hemF8p