Learning about LivingExperiences from Nigeria

Uju Ofomata

Our ‘M4G’ InitiativesKazi560

(Kenya)LifeLines

(India)LaL

(Nigeria)

Image credit: Michael Mistretta

3.2 million

220,000 children

27 women die daily

80% (unsafe abortion related deaths)

Age of sexual debut -13 years

60% of new HIV infections among youth

The situationThe situation in Nigeria

Sex is traditionally a very private subject in Nigeria and the discussion of sex with teenagers is often seen as inappropriate… Lack of accurate information about sexual health has meant there are many myths and misconceptions about sex and HIV, contributing to increasing transmission rates as well as stigma and discrimination towards people living with HIV/AIDS.

AVERT report on HIV/AIDS in Nigeria, 2008

Starting.......• Scoping study in 2006• LaL pilot project • ‘Usercentred’ from conception• Sustainable• Multi sectoral partnership • Information • Localized content – accurate, relevant, factual

eLearning• 25 lessons• Interactive• Participatory• Discussions/Games• Gender focused• Exciting!• IT skills

eFLHE

Mobiles• 64 million mobile users• 56% annual growth rate• Market leader with S. Africa• Prominence of SMS• Expanding to 3G

... led us to launch MyQ & MyA

MyQuestion

How it works

MyAnswer

Community Radio

Growing the Impact

• poor facilities• low IT skills • power infrastructure• Training

...yet in schools• almost 9,000 children reached in 3 states• more than 300 teachers trained• Govt and NGO officials - 56

Challenges

eFLHE Impact• eFLHE had a significant impact on girls• Average knowledge increased by 10%• Greatest impact where Knowledge & Attitude were

poor – e.g violence, condom use• Impact were 10 -20% higher than regular method of

teaching FLHE 7 control• The elearning platform proved effective at conveying

ideas & information on SRH issues

My Q Impact....Messages sent to MyQ

targetactual

Satisfaction Levels for MyQ

“I have a friend who is HIVpositive,should i keep away from him because i might get infected.pls what should i do?”

“I av boyfriend but dont know his statue.and he wanted 2 av sex with me.Pls help me”

“Can an HIV+ mother breast feed her baby without infecting d baby”

Independent Evaluation• LaL made ‘significant progress in achieving its goals’• Schools are effectively using eFLHE• LaL builds accurate knowledge and skills in SRH• ICT and Life skills of young people are being improvedOther benefits:• Positive impact on teachers and students ICT skills• LaL is recognised to be sustainable approach that can be easily

replicated• ICT can help improve performance of students in key subjects

Lessons Learnt.....• Technology provides useful information on SRH in a

way YP can engage with it• Technology increases access to health information &

therefore to outcomes• Local context essential for success• Mobile service has been great for urgent response• It is a tool not an end in itself• About health, About people, About Lives

Next Steps

• Nigeria

• Senegal

• Mexico

• Morocco?