Reaching out-of-school Youth

With Reproductive health and HIV/AIDS Information and Service

By: Burns A, Ruland C & Finger W
Published by: YouthNet, Family Health International (FHI) 2004

The paper examines the issue of reaching out-of-school youths with reproductive health (RH) and HIV/AIDS information services. Highlighting the difference between mainstream and socially marginalised out-of-school youth, it examines the link between schooling and safer sexual behaviour, emphasising the benefits of school beyond literacy and knowledge. The paper also identifies key goals and actions of programmes that work with this youth group, and provides four case studies. The report concludes with four recommendations:

• A wide range of approaches should be used to encourage youth to stay in or return to school.
• Community leaders should be involved to add social credibility, support and sustainability to RH and HIV programmes.
• Programmes need to involve youth in developing messages and designing delivery systems to reach out-of-school youth with accurate RH/HIV information and communications skills.
• Reaching out-of-school youth with RH/HIV services requires training providers, making services more accessible to youth, and educating youth about the need for services.