Exploring Pathways for Maternal and Child Health Institutions to Participate in Adolescent Reproductive Health Education: Shanghai Practice
1
Department of Scientific Research Management and Health Education, Shanghai Center for Women and Children's Health, Shanghai, China
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Adolescent reproductive health remains a critical public health issue. China has introduced policies to advocate for school-based sexuality education, yet implementation faces challenges such as a shortage of professional health teachers and standardized curricula. Maternal and Child Health (MCH) institutions possess professional expertise suited to adolescent sexual education, yet their engagement is often hindered by barriers in healthcare-education integration, limited institutional motivation, and insufficient experience in adolescent health outreach.
METHODS:
Over the past decade, Shanghai Center for Women and Children’s Health, an MCH management institution, has implemented an adolescent reproductive health education program (ages 10–24). Initiatives included establishing a youth health museum and a platform for healthcare-education cooperation. We trained medical professionals as lecturers and recruited youth volunteers for peer education. Educational formats and materials were continuously developed. An incentive system was introduced to boost participation from MCH institutions and staff.
RESULTS:
Eighty qualified lecturers were trained, covering all 16 districts of Shanghai. A total of 565 youth volunteer positions were created, providing over 820 service hours. Over the past five years, the number of MCH institutions involved in adolescent sexual education increased from 1 to 16. In 2024 alone, MCH institutions across the city organized a total of 243 events, reaching 35,828 participants and covering over 130 schools and communities. Topics included adolescent development, HPV prevention, contraception, and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Participants showed significantly improved knowledge, while staff enhanced their professional capacity. Adolescent-specific health clinics within MCH institutions also saw increased referrals and service expansion.
CONCLUSIONS:
MCH institutions hold professional authority and clinical case resources, enabling them to be easily recognized by schools and students. Their involvement not only improves adolescents’ reproductive health knowledge and behaviors but also promotes the development of specialized clinical services, contributing to long-term fertility protection.
Adolescent reproductive health remains a critical public health issue. China has introduced policies to advocate for school-based sexuality education, yet implementation faces challenges such as a shortage of professional health teachers and standardized curricula. Maternal and Child Health (MCH) institutions possess professional expertise suited to adolescent sexual education, yet their engagement is often hindered by barriers in healthcare-education integration, limited institutional motivation, and insufficient experience in adolescent health outreach.
METHODS:
Over the past decade, Shanghai Center for Women and Children’s Health, an MCH management institution, has implemented an adolescent reproductive health education program (ages 10–24). Initiatives included establishing a youth health museum and a platform for healthcare-education cooperation. We trained medical professionals as lecturers and recruited youth volunteers for peer education. Educational formats and materials were continuously developed. An incentive system was introduced to boost participation from MCH institutions and staff.
RESULTS:
Eighty qualified lecturers were trained, covering all 16 districts of Shanghai. A total of 565 youth volunteer positions were created, providing over 820 service hours. Over the past five years, the number of MCH institutions involved in adolescent sexual education increased from 1 to 16. In 2024 alone, MCH institutions across the city organized a total of 243 events, reaching 35,828 participants and covering over 130 schools and communities. Topics included adolescent development, HPV prevention, contraception, and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Participants showed significantly improved knowledge, while staff enhanced their professional capacity. Adolescent-specific health clinics within MCH institutions also saw increased referrals and service expansion.
CONCLUSIONS:
MCH institutions hold professional authority and clinical case resources, enabling them to be easily recognized by schools and students. Their involvement not only improves adolescents’ reproductive health knowledge and behaviors but also promotes the development of specialized clinical services, contributing to long-term fertility protection.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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