Adolescent Transitions in West Africa (ATWA)

Background
West Africa is in a demographic transition, with adolescents (ages 10-19) constituting a large and growing segment of the population. Despite recognition that adolescence is a critical window for promoting positive development and sexual and reproductive health (SRH), most SRH programs in the region are geared towards reaching older youth or adults.

What We’re Doing
GEH collaborated with local research partner (GRADE Africa) and implementing partner (Save the Children) to evaluate the Adolescent in Transition in West Africa (ATWA) program, an SRH program designed to reach boys and girls ages 10-19 years in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The intervention was a 9-month school- and community-based program that sought to improve adolescent SRH and gender equity by using age-tailored, culturally-adapted sexuality and puberty education materials and increasing access to quality adolescent responsive SRH services.

Approach
Over the course of four years, consortium partners:

Conducted qualitative formative research using the Social Norms Exploration Tool (SNET) to examine community norms and taboos surrounding adolescent SRHR
Collaborated with Ministries of Education in Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali to adapt the SRH curricula and catalyze its provision within schools
Implemented a cluster randomized controlled trial to assess the intervention’s impact on adolescents’ knowledge, attitudes, behavioral intentions related to SRHR outcomes

Impact
As compared to controls, participation in ATWA was linked to adolescents improved knowledge about puberty, menstruation, and STI/HIV prevention and treatment; increased awareness of where to seek SRH services and plans to use modern contraception in the future; increased self-efficacy in SRH-related issues such as asking questions about puberty to a trusted adult or refusing unwanted sexual attention, and being able to refuse an unwanted early marriage. ATWA participation was also linked to increases in gender equitable attitudes. Please see further details in the program’s reports and briefs (linked below).

Resources