Innovative approach to reaching at-risk youth with high impact sexual health services:Oby Obyerodhyambo Strategic Communications Advisor PATH

Presentation objectives.Contextualize Sexual and Reproductive Health challenges facing Kenyan youth to the innovative approach by (HFG). Share results of this initiative, lessons learnt and existing challenges for youth in accessing SRH.

BackgroundHIV, STIs, unplanned pregnancies a major challenge facing Kenyan youth.Limited resources for scale-up of HTC, VMMC and FP services targeting youth though identified as essential. Limited private sector participation in health. Service utilization low and innovative strategies to increase uptake and financing needed.

Youth in KenyaThreat of HIV & AIDS ranked behind fear of unemployment and pregnancyHIV and AIDS has contributed hopelessness about the future and, in some cases, heightened willingness to take risksHigh rates of youth unemployment [2.5m] and limited access to resources for youth to establish themselves in enterprise/self-employmentLimited access to comprehensive information and services on SRH especially FP Youth prevention services have been operating in isolation

G-Pange An Iconic lifestyle brand - An iconic lifestyle brand as a platform to promote healthy lifestyles for young people

G-Pange PillarsG-Jue Hali Yako know your heath and HIV status and that of your partner.G-Fahamishe Increase your knowledge and awareness of HIV and other life-skills.G-Inue Increase economic empowermentG-Kinge prevent/ avoid risky behaviorG-Amini Believe in yourself

Intervention:Targeted mobilization by HFG of private sector to offer support for comprehensive services to youth through an innovative, cost-effective and youth-friendly approach.

StrategyMobilise financing production and use of Shuga, Cash and in-kind support for G-ATES festival for showcasing talentPrivate-public partnership for economic empowerment targeting female youth in informal settlements to reduce vulnerability.

Results and ConclusionsThrough collaboration with local implementing partners HIV Testing and Counselling, Voluntary Medical Male circumcision as well as family planning counselling services was integrated. 6,000 young women received financial literacy and investment skills training and 2,000 have set up businesses that are still in operation 6 months after inception. Leading to accelerated provision of services.

Implementation Challenges & BarriersResource constraints leading to low coverage; many more youth remain unreached and in need of opportunities to identify, build and exploit their talents.

Lessons learntMobilization of youth more efficient when local implementing partners are supported to offer integrated services alongside activities targeting broader needs of youth. Pooling of resources with local partners and integrating activities to existing interventions reduces cost.

Conclusion: There is need to accelerate such innovative approaches to reach a critical mass of first-time users of HTC, VMMC and FP services. There is need to explore new partnerships with the private sector in supporting national scale up of this model.

Thank You.