Championing Demand Creation for Adolescents and Youth Access to Contraception Services in Neno and Ntcheu: A Case of N’zatonse V Project
Abstract:
The Family Planning Association of Malawi (FPAM) has learnt in Quarter One (Q1) of 2025 that the art and science of tracking what Family Planning (FP) information is communicated to adolescents, youth and community members, how it is being disseminated, and how the information content is monitored to influence modern contraception service uptake behavior(s) at designated service delivery points pays off to evaluate contribution of health promotion activities towards Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) service uptake. FPAM is implementing N’zatonse V project 2024-2026 in Neno and Ntcheu targeting adolescents and youth aged 10-24 and uses Interpersonal Communication (IPC), Community Mobilization (CM) and Media (social media) approaches to create demand. A total of 75% of youths from 70% of youth reach target have been served with Family Planning (FP) and other Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) services in the districts. Succes is tagged to tracking key FP messages disseminated to the target audiences that generate impact and resonate with Counselling for Choice health education models like Greet, Ask, Tell, Help, Explain and Return (GATHER) and Family Planning Counselling Matrix. Predominantly, FPAM uses IPC, Community Mobilization, and Social Media approaches to implement Social Ecological Model as a key SBCC/Demand Creation Strategy. The project’s demand creation interventions are monitored by checking the number of referrals enhanced through demand creation cadres, number of people reached with FP messages using different communication channels and cost per semi-annual, and number of people exposed to FP messages every two years.
