Introduction

The Community Health Dialogues were designed to foster open conversations among youth and women on critical health issues, including mental health, SRH, and nutrition. These dialogues aimed to break the silence on taboo subjects and empower participants to take control of their health.

Dialogue Sessions

The dialogues were held monthly in the 9 schools, 3 community peer groups, and 1 women’s group. Facilitators employed participatory methods such as storytelling, role-playing, and group discussions to engage participants.

  • Schools: Each session focused on a specific health topic, with a structured format that included a presentation, group discussion, and Q&A.
  • Community Peer Groups: Dialogues were tailored to the unique needs of each group, addressing local health challenges and solutions.
  • Women’s Group: Sessions were centered around maternal health and nutrition, with an emphasis on practical advice and peer support.

Outcomes

  • Increased Engagement: Participation rates in the dialogues were high, with over 75% of invited participants attending regularly.
  • Behavioral Change: Post-dialogue surveys indicated a significant shift in attitudes towards mental health and SRH, with participants more likely to seek help and share information with others.
  • Community Impact: In community peer groups, there was a 20% increase in health service utilization following the dialogues, particularly in mental health and SRH services.

Challenges and Solutions

  • Challenge: Initial reluctance to discuss sensitive topics like SRH.
  • Solution: Facilitators created a safe and confidential environment, allowing anonymous questions and offering one-on-one follow-up sessions.
  • Challenge: Variability in engagement levels across different groups.
  • Solution: Tailored approaches were developed for each group, ensuring content was relevant and engaging for all participants.

Recommendations

  • For Schools: Incorporate these dialogues into the regular school schedule and expand the topics to include more diverse health issues.
  • For Community Groups: Continue the dialogues with the support of local health workers to sustain the impact and reach more community members.
  • For Women’s Group: Utilize the outcomes of these dialogues to advocate for better maternal health services in the community.