On 26 April a team from the Ministry of Health and PAHO/WHO CO visited Annai from the 27-29 April 2021, to conducted sensitization sessions with the adolescents in the community. Two sensitization sessions were conducted with adolescent residence of Annai. The total number of participants were 97, and the sessions were conducted separately for males and females. This was advised by the community leaders to have full participation of each group. On the first day the females participated and the second day the males participated. Both sessions were successful and had full participation of the adolescents, who made presentations after each topic area presented by facilitators. At the end of each session, the youths were provided with health care packages to protect themselves during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. The topical areas presented were, Adolescents and COVID-19, this session engaged the participants to inform them of the COVID-19 restrictions, hygiene practices, wearing of mask and also the vaccination campaign which is currently on going. Other topics were Sexual Reproductive Health, Drug Use/Abuse, Nutrition and Healthy Relationships.
Nyona David, 14-year-old adolescent student, from Annai Secondary School said, "the session attended was very informative and an eye opener. I personally learnt a lot about the topics presented on which I to some extent never heard before or which isn't openly spoken about. I learnt a lot about sexual reproductive health and how-to take care of my body. I was amazed about the entire presentation of sexually transmitted infection and condom demonstration and unsafe sex and the damages it can do to my body. I was well informed about Healthy Relationship with my family and loved ones and how-to build a healthy one. Mental health and adolescent was very informative and I learnt a lot especially how to control my anger. The effects of drugs/ substance abuse was great. Nutrition and Covid 19 presentations was informative since I'm more aware now on how to take care of my family and those around me during this pandemic and how nutrition is effective. I would like to recommend and want to see more of these sessions and training being done for us the youths of Annai. We face many issues as young people in this community especially with drugs, alcohol, teenage pregnancy and peer pressure. I would like to thank the officials of PAHO and the Ministry of Health- Adolescent Health Unit for this opportunity."
Everson Junior David, who was one of the active participants, shared his thoughts, "Let me begin by extending special thanks to the team members from PAHO/WHO and the Ministry of Health who visited Annai Central and conducted a fruitful and a successful session of which I have had the opportunity of attending.During the one day session held, various speakers presented on the following topics: Drug Use/Abuse, Nutrition, Sexual Reproductive Health, Covid-19 Protocols and Social Distancing Guidelines, Healthy Relationships and Adolescents and Mental Health. As a participant, I have been able to grasp as much as I can and this has been a great benefit to me which I believe is a vital tool in reducing inequalities because it (the session) empowers us to gain access to such rights as health, nutrition, etc. while it improves the overall quality of our lives. I believe that during this pandemic a lot would have happened and it becomes clear that we must all work together to tackle today's challenges and provide hope for a new tomorrow."
On the final day of the activity, a meeting was held with the community leaders and the Ministry of Health Public Health Professionals attached to the Annai Community, to identify areas for which assistance will be needed in a form of community needs assessment. Many areas were identified, and a committee was set up to continue the work which was started by the visiting team. The team also made a radio appearance to inform the community of the work which was done and the commitment to continue same. In addition, an Adolescent Health hub was established with representatives from the Health Centre and Community Leaders.
A request was made for the involvement of the parents of the adolescents in future sensitization sessions, to help reiterate the messages of making better choices and adopting healthy lifestyles. Another request was made for peer educators to be trained in the region for the continuation of knowledge sharing among peers.
Some of the recommendations were, to send health information to the region to be aired on the radio and the television for the health talk segment. Skills training for adolescents in the areas of computer studies and other skills training for girls and boys in the community.
