EXPANDING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE TO MARRIED ADOLESCENT GIRLS THROUGH TAILORED INTERVENTIONS IN KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA
1
Public Health, Ministry of health/Society for Family Health, Kaduna, Nigeria
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2302
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Kaduna State has an estimated population of adolescents and young person (AYPs) aged 10 – 24 years as 3,780,945, 39.9% of its population. The state partnered with Society for family health to deliver tailored health interventions to married adolescent girls. The matasan matan Arewa (MMA) initiative aimed at breaking down barriers to access and voluntary use of modern contraceptives by adolescent girls, thereby increasing modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) and improving sexual and reproductive health.
METHODS:
The project lasted from October 2020-September 2025, targeting married adolescents aged 15-19 years. Adolescents were reached through a two-pronged approach that targeted girls and their husbands. Contraception was framed within the context of family health and stability, capitalizing on financial planning, vocational training, and life skills. For service delivery, the public sector facilities were enrolled, in addition to introducing clinic support days for reproductive health services. Furthermore, the counseling for care (C4C) tool, regular follow up and continuation of care were utilized.
RESULTS:
A total of 742 Primary healthcare centers received support, the proportion of adolescents who continued using contraception was 236,451 (54.6%) of the 432,723 that commenced use. Supported trainings improved capacity for 2356 healthcare workers: 52% on mentorship and ASRH mobilization, 48% on male engagement for ASRH and ante-natal care (ANC) mobilization. For the girl empowerment component and mentorship, 75 communities were reached and 22,905 married adolescent girls received business knowledge. Community cooperatives received seed grants of 2,142 dollars (310,000 Naira) benefitting 608 girls. Ten (10) youth champions were trained and inaugurated on youth advocacy.
CONCLUSIONS:
The MMA initiative in Kaduna State served to improve contraceptive uptake, enhance access and acceptance of reproductive health services, strengthen health worker capacity and increase male partner engagement in reproductive health care. Scaling up these interventions will expand coverage and sustain advances in girl empowerment.
Kaduna State has an estimated population of adolescents and young person (AYPs) aged 10 – 24 years as 3,780,945, 39.9% of its population. The state partnered with Society for family health to deliver tailored health interventions to married adolescent girls. The matasan matan Arewa (MMA) initiative aimed at breaking down barriers to access and voluntary use of modern contraceptives by adolescent girls, thereby increasing modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) and improving sexual and reproductive health.
METHODS:
The project lasted from October 2020-September 2025, targeting married adolescents aged 15-19 years. Adolescents were reached through a two-pronged approach that targeted girls and their husbands. Contraception was framed within the context of family health and stability, capitalizing on financial planning, vocational training, and life skills. For service delivery, the public sector facilities were enrolled, in addition to introducing clinic support days for reproductive health services. Furthermore, the counseling for care (C4C) tool, regular follow up and continuation of care were utilized.
RESULTS:
A total of 742 Primary healthcare centers received support, the proportion of adolescents who continued using contraception was 236,451 (54.6%) of the 432,723 that commenced use. Supported trainings improved capacity for 2356 healthcare workers: 52% on mentorship and ASRH mobilization, 48% on male engagement for ASRH and ante-natal care (ANC) mobilization. For the girl empowerment component and mentorship, 75 communities were reached and 22,905 married adolescent girls received business knowledge. Community cooperatives received seed grants of 2,142 dollars (310,000 Naira) benefitting 608 girls. Ten (10) youth champions were trained and inaugurated on youth advocacy.
CONCLUSIONS:
The MMA initiative in Kaduna State served to improve contraceptive uptake, enhance access and acceptance of reproductive health services, strengthen health worker capacity and increase male partner engagement in reproductive health care. Scaling up these interventions will expand coverage and sustain advances in girl empowerment.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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