Evaluation of three youth-friendly projects in Zambia produced mixed findings, as increase in service use by youth could not be linked to the intervention at the youth centres, and was associated with "levels of community acceptance of the reproductive health services" [ 27].
Overall the project was considered youth friendly with over 80% reporting the project useful for increasing access to testing, treatment and health promotion, and 92% stating they would be happy to undertake an annual sexual health check at their local sporting club, preferring a telephone consultation and receiving their test results by mobile text messaging.
Incentives such as providing meals on the night of recruitment, autographed footballs, lollipops and condoms helped make the project more youth friendly.
She said that the four-year project will support establishment of youth friendly spaces in selected conflict-affected localities, and contribute to strengthening of youth networks and development of demand-driven, youth-centred policies, strategies and services.
The outcomes of the project are as following: Most of the mother and child health care institutions in the areas are compliant with Expanded Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (EBFHI) and Youth Friendly Clinics (YFC) requirements, Parenting education programmes are available in the selected project sites.
The Zambian ProTEST pilot project began in 1999 as a collaboration including the Zambian AIDS-related TB project (ZAMBART), Kara Counselling and Training Trust (KCTT), local primary health clinics, youth friendly services (YFS), district health authorities, and the Archdiocese of Lusaka.
Youth friendly components included sports for youth, music and drama and health talks.
Additional youth friendly components such as sports and health talks may contribute to creating a positive atmosphere for youth.
- Establish youth friendly service centres.
The youth corner concept in hospitals should be re-evaluated and should be changed to provide more youth friendly services.
The project will support youth development by influencing policies and development plans at federal and state level, it will also provide youth friendly services and spaces for most disadvantaged young people in selected conflict-affected localities in three states of South Darfur, West Darfur and Kassala.
