Impact Evaluation for the LPS Training Program in China

Yingying Zhou, University of Washington
Qian Geng, Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH)
Lisa Mueller, Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH)

Youth in many developing countries are at acute risk of STI, HIV infection and unintended pregnancies, thus ARH programs are growing in these countries. However, most programs are oriented towards specific RH issues, so comprehensive ARH programs are limited or lack well-documented evaluations. The five-year China Youth Reproductive Health Project aims to improve RH status of youth ages 10-24 in China by addressing contextual factors for ASRH. The project’s Life-Planning Skill training program offers comprehensive sex education covering HIV/AIDS prevention, family planning, and RH issues. Using post-test/pre-test nonequivalent comparison group study design, this study evaluates the program impacts in terms of adolescents’ RH knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. Significant improvement is found in RH knowledge, including knowledge about STI, HIV/AIDS and contraceptive use, and in attitudes towards sexuality and HIV/AIDS. However, behavioral change is minor and may need further follow-ups to assess. The results have policy recommendations to inform future ARH programs.