a sourcebook of hiv/aids prevention programs volume 2

176 A Sourcebook of HIV/AIDS Prevention Programs, Vol. 2Rationale and HistoryThe program was initiated in 1994, when parents and teachers in Ibadan,the capital of Oyo State, raised concerns about the rising incidence ofunwanted pregnancy and the death of two girls from septic complications ofabortion (figure 9.1). The Association for Reproductive and Family Health(ARFH) was invited to provide life-planning education (LPE) on reproductivehealth to secondary school students and out-of-school youth.In 1996 a project was piloted in four secondary schools in Ibadan, withsupport from the United Kingdom’s Overseas Development Agency (ODA).In 1999 the success of the pilot project led to the expansion of activities to131 secondary schools in the 33 local government areas of the state spanningits eight educational zones. Expansion was supported by the United Kingdom’sDepartment for International Development (DFID), which providedfunding for the program from 1999 until 2003.During the expansion process, various actors were involved in designingthe program and its teaching-learning materials. They included governmentofficials, NGO staff, teachers, parents, other community members, andlearner representatives. The active involvement of these actors contributedto the fact that the ELPE program has had few real problems in gainingbroad acceptance and support.The rationale underlying the program’s activities is as follows:• Prevention of health problems is far more effective and desirable thantreatment.• The earlier the knowledge and skills to make healthy informed decisionsare imparted, the greater are young people’s chances of living a healthylifestyle.• The school environment is the most appropriate place to provide children,adolescents, and young adults with the opportunity to developFigure 9.1: Timeline of ELPE Implementation1994parents andcommunities inIbadan requestcomprehensivereproductivehealth education1996life-planningeducation(LPE)piloted in foursecondary schools inIbadan1998expanded lifeplanningeducation(ELPE)program expanded to131 secondary schoolsin all 33 stategovernments2000ELPE replicated inother statesSource: Authors.(c) The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank