Serving the Future: An Update on Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Programs in Developing Countries.

This survey analyzed the nature and level of services in adolescent pregnancy prevention in the developing countries of Latin America, Africa, and Asia. While focusing on programs to prevent adolescent pregnancy, many of the groups surveyed were also responding to the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic in their work with youth. The majority of the organizations also provided services to youth beyond reproductive health, such as tutoring and scholarships, income generation and vocational education, and general adolescent health services and community development. An analysis of the 103 programs that responded to the survey found that the majority of the organizations were nongovernmental organizations which relied heavily on overseas assistance. A variety of professionals worked in the programs, but health professionals and educators were the personnel most commonly found. The most frequently reached clientele were in-school youth, although many programs also served school drop-outs. The sex education offered by most of these programs focused on the biological aspects of reproduction, but more than one-half of the programs also included additional information. Peer education as a method of sex education continued to be an important component of many adolescent pregnancy prevention programs. The vast majority said they offered contraceptive services, with condoms being the most frequently cited method, followed by oral contraceptives. Printed educational materials for youth continued to be an important aspect of sex education. The report also provides a directory of programs by region and country that includes program name and address, type of organization, age range of clientele, and program focus. (LLL)