Cost effective and easy to handle methods for program design and evaluation in sexual and reproductive health programs for youths

This document describes the two quantitative methods which have proven their usefulness in addressing sexual health issues amongst young people in primary and secondary schools, and assesses their relative merit. The two methods are:

• the collection of anonymous questions from young people
• a self-administered questionnaire survey

Collection of anonymous questions from young people: this method of gathering questions is useful in getting information on young people’s language and priority interests and information needs. It shows that a collection of questions can be used:

• to develop IEC measures
• to create awareness in teachers and other educators about young people's ideas, or to develop a teaching curriculum

The paper offers a case study from Guinea to demonstrate how this works in practice.

Self-administered questionnaire survey: for evaluation purposes a quantitative survey is the method of choice because it allows to measure change over time. It is a cost-effective way of interviewing and guarantees anonymity, a fact that vastly improves the likeliness of valid answers. It is easy to organise within a school setting with a low input of interviewers for a high number of interviewees. However, draw backs include:

• the number of interviewees is generally rather small
• many surveys ask too many questions
• the design of the questionnaire is not always youth friendly
• there is often no baseline or follow up

Recommendations for self-administered questionnaire survey:

1. Sampling:

• large numbers
• random cluster sampling
• no announcement prior to survey
• no search for missing cases
• one school one day

2. Design of the Questionnaire:

• short questionnaire
• avoid open questions
• avoid filter questions