Culturally appropriate information, education and communication strategies for improving adolescent reproductive health in Cusco, Peru

The project Culturally Appropriate Information Education and Communication Strategies for Improving Adolescent Reproductive Health in Cusco Peru was designed in response to the evident lack of information and education on adolescent reproductive health in the country and in particular in the rural areas of the department of Cusco. After analyzing the problems of adolescents in the Andean highlands where childbearing rates sexual activity and induced abortions are on the rise and use of contraception is low researchers found a demonstrated need for reproductive and sexual health education developed specifically for indigenous adolescents in this region. The Ministry of Education has implemented a Sexual Education Project at the national level but lamentably this program does not reach many rural schools. Very few teachers are trained to implement the national project and many do not have the materials necessary to use with their students. (excerpt)