ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH

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February 2005 update on new publications, actions you can take, and more!

Advocates for Youth's e-News Update

Science and Success in Developing Countries: Holistic Programs That Work to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, HIV & Sexually Transmitted Infections

Advocates for Youth conducted an exhaustive literature review of nearly 200 programs in developing countries. From among them, Advocates identified 10 highly effective programs that showed impact on sexual behaviors and/or on sexual health outcomes. Science and Success in Developing Countries: Holistic Programs That Work to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, HIV & Sexually Transmitted Infections compiles descriptions of the 10 programs proven to reduce teen pregnancies and STIs or cause at least two beneficial changes in sexual risk behaviors.

Online at http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/programsthatwork/developing/index.htm

In addition, Advocates has published Science and Success, Second Edition: Sex Education and Other Programs That Work to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, HIV & Sexually Transmitted Infections, a review of 26 highly effective, U.S.-based programs that may also be useful, if culturally adapted, in developing countries.

Online at http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/programsthatwork/index.htm

The Facts—Emergency Contraception: A Safe & Effective Contraceptive Option for Teens

Teens' current use of contraception prevents as many as 1.65 million pregnancies in the United States each year. However, about 800,000 teens still experience a pregnancy each year and 85 percent of these pregnancies are unintended. Emergency contraception (EC)—a method of preventing pregnancy after sexual intercourse—is an important contraceptive option that could annually prevent at least 50 percent of unintended pregnancies among American women. Experts estimate that timely use of EC could prevent up to 70 percent of abortions. In fact, use of EC prevented about 51,000 abortions in 2000. Specifically, this fact sheet includes information showing that:

• EC prevents pregnancy and the need for abortion.
• EC is safe and effective.
• Many brands of oral contraceptives are used for EC in the United States.
• Health care providers should give teens information about and access to EC.

Online at http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/factsheet/fsecp.htm

Issues at a Glance—South to South Collaboration to Improve Programs for Youth

South-to-south collaboration is a strategy that can be used effectively in reproductive and sexual health programs in developing countries. In fact, participants at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development endorsed the concept of south-to-south collaboration. When the focus is on improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes among adolescents, south-to-south collaboration can facilitate the sharing of evaluated, culturally appropriate, highly effective strategies and programs. To do this, south-to-south collaborations typically employ networks, study tours, meetings, and conferences and also exchange information, technical assistance, and training. This paper provides an overview of one such collaborative effort, with an emphasis on the benefits, results, and lessons learned from the project.

Online at http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/publications/iag/southtosouth.htm

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