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As part of the Global HIV/AIDS Initiative, Nigeria
(GHAIN’s) effort to reduce the spread of HIV in
Nigeria, AHI was engaged to develop a “Skills-Based
Abstinence Education Trainers Manual.” GHAIN is
a five-year project managed by Family Health International,
and funded through the U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID).
The manual’s goal is to promote abstinence among
young people through equipping them with the information
and skills necessary to delay sexual activity. The manual
encourages sexual abstinence as a positive choice, and
emphasizes it as the safest form of protection against
unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
A unique feature of the manual is its portrayal and
affirmation of a positive view of human sexuality. In
developing the manual, it was important to ensure that
its messages are factual and comprehensive, yet age
appropriate. This is a departure from the fear-based
approach used by many abstinence-only programs to deliver
their message.
The manual was developed by an eight-member team drawn
from AHI’s program staff and youth interns. The
team determined the structure and organization of the
document; and identified topics relevant in enhancing
young people’s ability to abstain from sexual
activity. They consulted reference textbooks, journals,
training manuals, and web-based resources to obtain
current information on abstinence education.
In determining the manual’s content, several
important factors that affect young people’s ability
to abstain from sex were considered. These include peer
and social pressure from a media-saturated environment,
and the understanding that behaviour change is not ensured
simply by presenting facts, but also by cultivating
integral skills required to effect and sustain change.
Following the development of the draft manual, a review
workshop was organized with stakeholder groups to elicit
comments and generate contributions and recommendations
for further enrichment the manual. Thirty-seven participants
drawn from GHAIN partner organizations and implementing
partners from the six focal states (Anambra, Edo, Kano,
Bauchi, Federal Capital Territory, and Lagos) attended
the workshop. The participants were selected to ensure
the manual is culturally appropriate and addresses the
concerns of the various interest groups.
The manual will be available for distribution in the
coming months.
Related resources
National
Family Life and HIV Education Curriculum for Junior
Secondary School in Nigeria
Meeting the Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs of
Young People in Nigeria
Access
Report: Bulletin Promoting Access to Information and
Services for Young People in Nigeria
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