Village Fair Provides a Forum for Health Education
More than 250 people turned out for a community health festival in Mahammedi, Absheron District, Azerbaijan on September 26, 2008. Organized by the USAID-funded ACQUIRE Project, in collaboration with local authorities, health professionals and village leaders, the family-oriented event was designed to raise awareness about the importance of reproductive health and family planning for the health of women, families, and the community.
Health education materials were disseminated as participants enjoyed themselves with activities ranging from health quiz games, dancing, art-making, and sports competitions. The fair was the first ever held in the village, and exemplified how local authorities, health professionals and village volunteers are joining forces to improve health outcomes in their community.
The health festival is part of a partnership between the USAID-funded ACQUIRE Project and the Village of Mahammedi that began in January 2008. Since October 2004, ACQUIRE has been working in partnership with communities like Mahammedi in seven districts throughout Azerbaijan to improve quality, access, use and sustainability of reproductive health and family planning services. Under these partnerships, more than 870 health service providers have received training to update their technical skills and knowledge about reproductive health and family planning. Nearly 600 men and women have been trained as volunteer peer educators. These volunteers have conducted more than 14,700 health education sessions on modern contraception and STI/HIV prevention reaching more than 44,900 men and 86,400 women of reproductive age.
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At Mahammedi’s first-ever community health fair, young men and women received information on reproductive health and family planning. The banner above the dance area reads, “Modern methods of pregnancy prevention are safe and effective.”
Photo Credits: Engender Health |
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