An Assessment of the Virgins Project In Ejisu Sub District

Abstract

The rising incidence o f early sexual activity among young people has become an issue o f great public health concern and is receiving attention worldwide. Many o f the youth are at risk o f unplanned pregnancy or sexually tran sm itted infection (STI) including HIV/AIDS and some may already be struggling with the consequences o f these risks. Studies conducted in Ejisu-Juabeng district have revealed the existence o f high level o f sexual activity among the youth. To minimize risks associated with this behaviour and to secure a healthy future for the youth, the E jisu-Juabeng Virgin Club project was established in 2001. This study, which used both quantitative and qualitative methods o f d a ta collection, was u n d e rtak en to assess the extent to which the project has achieved its objectives since its inception th ree years ago. A number o f indicators were measured to meet study objectives. The key findings o f the study include: 1. The project has adopted a holistic approach to addressing antecedent/determinants o f behavior o f the girls. 2. Girls between 10-19 years are mostly a ttra cted to the club 3. Out o f 151 o f girls surveyed only 23% o f girls have been with the club since its inception in 2 0 0 1 . 4. A number o f factors appear to be hindering the potential o f the p ro je c t to achieve desired results, among which are: ■ Negative perception o f the project by some community members. * Lack o f well-prepared, coherent training/teaching curriculum. ■ Inadequate Funding. ■ Lack o f effective follow up o f drop outs. ■ Low involvement o f young girls on p rojec t management. ■ Over concentration o f project activities at Ejisu. 5. Other factors which have kept the club operational include: * Community Support by Queen Mothers, Village Health Committee members and other opinion leaders. ■ Commitment o f Project Staff ■ Club Exit Package 6 . The overall SRH knowledge, Attitudes, Perceptions and Skills o f respondents is encouraging. However th e re a few misconceptions and myths th a t need to be addressed. Based on the findings, the following is recommended: 1) Decentralization o f activities to all 30 communities 2) Resource mobilization to support p roje c t activities needs to be intensified, especially marketing the p roje ct and proposal development. 3) Continuing education for p roje c t sta ff to upd a te knowledge on SRH issues, with emphasis on STI/HIV/AIDS. 4) Promote increased participation o f the virgins and p a ren ts in the planning and management o f project activities.