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Lauren VanEnk Institute for Reproductive Health Georgetown University B ECOMING C YCLE S MART An innovative tool to increase fertility awareness & puberty knowledge among very young adolescents Slide 2 Adolescents often enter puberty with little knowledge of their changing bodies I was surprised by bleeding from my genitals, I did not know what it was when it first occurred... a teacher took me in a room that was next to my classroom and explained what was happening to me. Adolescent girl, Rwanda When a boy develops facial acne, it means he has too much sperm which does not come out of the body and would otherwise be harmful for the body. Adolescent boy, Rwanda Slide 3 If only I knew then what I know now Slide 4 10-14 years is a time of critical development for adolescents. Sexual and gender identities are formed at this age. Yet little progress has been made to develop programs for very young adolescents (VYA) related to adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Why Very Young Adolescents and Sexual & Reproductive Health? Slide 5 Looking back... CycleBeads: Tool used with the Standard Days Method that represents the days in a womans menstrual cycle CycleBeads has been used in the U.S. and Africa to teach young people about puberty Yet, no guidance or tools on how to use CycleBeads effectively for this purpose My Changing Body: Curriculum that addresses gaps in life skills materials used in youth programs Slide 6 CycleSmart Kit CYCLEBEADS Slide 7 Slide 8 Slide 9 CycleSmart Kit Includes CycleBeads and a simple, factual brochure about puberty and fertility. It can also include sanitary pads, a diary, a calendar, and information on how to contact local health providers Designed to help young people, ages 10 to 14, develop an awareness of their emerging fertility and make decisions which promote their health Helps parents, teachers, health providers, peer-educators and others talk to young girls and boys about their changing bodies and how to stay healthy and safe Slide 10 Provides tips and resources on how to use the CycleSmart Kit to teach boys and girls about puberty and fertility Targeted toward youth- focused organizations, parents, educators, health providers, religious leaders and others Intended to be user-friendly and practical CycleSmart Kit Programmatic Guidelines Slide 11 Phase I: Developed CycleSmart brochure Phase II: Refined CycleSmart brochure Phase III: Tested Brochure + Pads as CycleSmart Kit Product Development 10-15 Key Informant Interviews Desk Review FGDs with boys and girls (ages 15- 17) 6 weeks of field- testing by VYA girls FGDs with VYA boys and girls (ages 12- 14) FGD with parents of VYAs 5 weeks of field- testing by 4 youth- serving organizations in 10 sites (urban and rural) Slide 12 Slide 13 Community Dialogue MicroEnterprise Peer Education Slide 14 Girls Perspectives Since the time I used the CB, when the ring of my CB crosses the dark brown bead, I take my pads with me (in my bag) because I know my menses are approaching. VYA girl from Rwamagana My mum used to ask me every day if I had moved the ring or if I had filled the diary, so I enjoyed it because she was closer to me and more concerned. VYA girl from Kicukiro Slide 15 Parent Perspectives Often we dont know where to start in terms of talking to our kids about puberty so we just turn them away when they ask us about it. Thanks for this. The children have been more open about discussing and asking questions about their SRH. Its important that children learn early about puberty changes. Mother from Rwamagana Slide 16 Boys Perspectives Using [the CycleSmart Kit] to discuss puberty changes with parents or teachers will make us confident to discuss such things with any person. VYA boy from Rwamagana Although the brochure is mostly about girls, its important for boys to have this information because it helps us understand what girls are experiencing and to not tease them about it. VYA boy from Nyabihu Slide 17 p