Self-Assessment Questions (SAQs) for Study Session 12

Now that you have completed this study session, you can assess how well you have achieved its Learning Outcomes by answering these questions. Write your answers in your Study Diary and discuss them with your Distance Learning Tutor at the next Study Support Meeting. You can check your answers with the Notes on the Self-Assessment Questions at the end of this Module.

SAQ 12.1 (tests Learning Outcomes 12.1 and 12.2)

In the rural village where you are working you are informed by the kebele leaders that the adolescents are having significant problems. Some identified problems are violence against adolescent girls on their way to school or to social activities such as markets, and fetching water, boys engaging in risky behaviours including drinking alcohol, chewing khat, and going to prostitutes especially when they get the chance to go to the towns. There are two primary and one secondary school serving the neighbouring communities.

  • a.What strategies would you use to approach the adolescents?
  • b.Which groups of individuals in the community need to be involved to implement your activities aimed at changing the behaviour of the adolescents?

Answer

  • a.There are many ways you can reach the adolescents. You may organise community conversations (in schools or in the community) to increase the community’s awareness of protective behaviours. You may also use peer educators to promote age appropriate family life education.
  • b.To effect positive behaviour change, you need to be active in training or sensitising community leaders, religious leaders, kebele officials, and parliamentarians on adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health issues so that they too can advocate on access to information and services for young people.

SAQ 12.2 (tests Learning Outcomes 112.1, 2.3 and 12.4)

In the same village where you are working (SAQ 12.1), you note that the adolescents aged 15–19 are a particularly vulnerable group who need your special attention.

  • a.What are the common challenges that you expect adolescent girls aged 15–19 years to experience?
  • b.What specific actions are necessary to address your concerns for this group?

Answer

  • a.In a rural setting these groups of girls are considered mature enough to get married and hence start sexual activity. They may nevertheless have unwanted pregnancies and this may lead them to seek unsafe abortions. Some may be in polygamous marriages or married to an older husband and they may not have been able to negotiate for safer sex using a condom thereby possibly exposing themselves to the risk of STIs such as HIV. They may also have to face other reproductive health risks including; sexual harassment, rape, abduction and FGM They are at risk of dropping out of school because they are expected to do other work.
  • b.These are some of the activities that you are able to initiate:
  • Select and train mentors and educators from the community.
  • Train boys and girls as peer educators on SRH to disseminate information and provide non-prescriptive contraceptives in clubs and other venues where young people in this age group gather.
  • Provide age appropriate family life education in clubs and other venues where this group gather.
  • Create awareness of the new family law which sets the minimum age at marriage of 18 years for both males and females.
  • Train and sensitise parents, community members and faith based organisations on SRH issues such as HTP, gender based violence.

Summary of the Study Session 12