Endline Evaluation of Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health Program in Nasirnagar 2008

Adolescence is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood. It is characterized by rapid physical, biological and hormonal changes resulting in to psychosocial, behavioral and sexual maturation between the 10-19 years in an individual. During this period, the vulnerability related to health, especially reproductive and sexual health including HIV/AIDS, considerably increases among adolescents as they are poorly informed about those issues. They become exposed to the risks of malnutrition, disease, abuse, addiction, violence etc. those put them into problems, even disabilities and death. To address adolescents’ needs of Nasirnagar, Brahmanbaria by changing their behaviors through different interventions, Save the Children USA implemented its Adolescent Reproductive and Sexual Health (ARSH) Program in Nasirnagar, Bangladesh from 2003 to 2008, in accordance with guidance from the Common Approach to Sponsorship Programs (CASP).

This end line survey was completed by Associates for Community and Population Research (ACPR) in 2008 among adolescents, parents and key community adults, to assess the difference with the baseline of 2004, to measure program results/ effects/ impacts in Nasirnagar sub-district. The results and recommendations can be utilized not only by Save the Children but also by the other organizations who are implementing adolescent programs in country and abroad.