In 2012, the LuzonHealth Baseline Survey on Service Delivery Capacity recorded 2,027 women aged 15 to 17 years old who gave birth to their first child. Another 459 cases of teenage pregnancy were also recorded in the first quarter of 2013.
In the Philippines, Cavite ranked first in teenage pregnancy among the provinces in the CALABARZON region (Region IV-A). That is why the USAID LuzonHealth Project worked closely with local government units to establish an integrated, province-wide Adolescent and Youth (AY) Health Program.
Unveiling of the Teen Health Kiosk logo at the Dasmarinas National High School | Photo by EM Mendoza/MP-KNN
The Provincial Health Office and the Department of Education of Cavite have identified 11 priority national high schools as the initial demand generation locus for Adolescent and Youth Maternal, Neonatal, Child Health, Nutrition and Family Planning information and services. One of the features of this initiative is the establishment of 11 school-based Teen Health Kiosks in the following areas: the cities of Trece Martires, Bacoor, Cavite, Dasmarinas, Imus and Tagaytay, as well as the municipalities of General Mariano Alvarez, General Emilio Aguinaldo, General Trias, Naic, and Tanza.
Ms. Karen Keay Klimowski, USAID Philippines’ Chief for Office of Health delivers a speech | Photo by EM Mendoza/MP-KNN
The Teen Health Kiosks (THK) have the following features:
- AY-friendly psycho-social and medical services by AJA1-trained health professionals
- AY Support Groups/Clubs (e.g., THK Club)
- Peer education delivered by trained peer educators
- PopDevEd2 Lessons by PopDevEd-trained teachers
- Health events like teen pregnancy forums, young parents’ parties, and usapan series.
- Health Development Sessions using tried-and-tested IEC and video materials from the DOH, POPCOM and Knowledge Channel
- Outreach activities for parents and out-of-school youth
- Small-Scale Secure Livelihood Program
- Referral arrangements with RHU-Based THKs for health cases and referral arrangements with other agencies for non-health cases
The Teen Health Kiosks were launched on 12 March 2015 at the Dasmariñas National High School, with representatives from the 11 participating schools also attended the event.
Representatives from the 11 participating schools visit Dasmariñas National High School for the THK launch | Photo by EM Mendoza/MP-KNN
Cavite City National High School’s Special Program for the Arts performed the “Teenage Pregnancy Musical” about the consequences of early sexual encounters (ESE).
Selected students present a short play about characters dealing with teenage pregnancy | Photo by EM Mendoza/MP-KNN
Selected students present a short play about characters dealing with teenage pregnancy | Photo by EM Mendoza/MP-KNN
As a young person living in Cavite, I can see that it can help Cavite in so many ways. The Teen Health Kiosks can help me to better understand the preventive measures that we can take to avoid risky behavior. It is very helpful for the community, more importantly to my peers, in raising awareness about avoiding bad decisions so that we can have a more productive lifestyle.
However, it is important that the awareness is shared not only with high school and college students, but also among young professionals. A health kiosk that is also targeted for them can also help them understand more, and maybe prevent them from engaging in risky behavior. This kind of project must be consistently done throughout each year so that the youth can participate more, and also in order to promote a sense of volunteerism and good decision making.
Students pose for a group photo after the event | Photo by EM Mendoza/MP-KNN