High-tech and healthy choices: using modern communication methods to enable healthy choices among Tajik young people
Project goal: To pilot a programme to broaden contraceptive method choice for young people in 3 regions of Tajikistan.
Specific Objective 1: To promote demand for a broad range of contraceptive methods (including LARC) among young people in Dushanbe, Kulyab, Vahdat through an innovative mobile health services.
This objective aimed at developing mobile app and web to lead to change in two ways. First a source of accurate and culturally appropriate information for young people about contraceptives. Second, expanding knowledge among young people about the confidential and free of charge services offered youth friendly centres.
Most young people in Tajikistan, especially those who are unmarried, have limited contraceptive options, a situation that contributes to unintended pregnancy and STIs. To expand contraceptive options in a meaningful way, young people need information, skills, and products to make informed decisions about how they can protect themselves from pregnancy in a way that is consistent with their own values. Sexuality education is very limited in Tajikistan but specialized youth friendly centers exist where youth can speak with professionals. The proposed programme will provide access to educational material about sexuality, contraception and opportunities to access services at youth friendly centers through an innovative mobile health service.
Specific Objective 2: To reduce supply side barriers to access to a broad range of contraceptive methods (including LARCs) by young people in youth friendly centres (in the regions of Dushanbe, Kulyab, Vahdat).
UN agencies supply Tajikistan with four types of contraception including LARCs, but doctors rarely (almost never) prescribe LARCs to young women. This is due to a lack of adequate education for doctors and that they believe in a number of myths about adverse effects of LARCs for young people. For example, many doctors believe that IUDs should be used only by those above age 18 because of concerns about the risk of expulsion in women who have not given birth and the risk of infection due to the presence of an STI at the time of insertion. Another common myth is that the progestin-only injectable depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) should be used only in women older than 18 because of a risk that it may interfere with bone development in girls who are still growing. This objective aimed at addressing the specific barrier of doctors considering LARCs not a good option for young people. By directly addressing the specific beliefs and attitudes of doctors and providing the technical assistance necessary to make them comfortable with these options, the program expected to expand access to LARCs among young people.
