RESUMO
In Mexico, youth face difficulties in obtaining reliable information on sex education and family planning through existing community programs. Two alternative strategies to provide these services are being tested in poor urban areas of Monterrey. In one experimental area, Integrated Youth Centers were established, which provide sex education and family planning services as well as counseling, academic tutoring, and recreational activities. In another area, trained young adults and community counselors work through informal networks to provide sex education and family planning information. Both utilization and the cost of these services are examined in the context of plans for expanding coverage in Mexico-U.S. border areas.
PIP: In Mexico, youth face difficulties in obtaining reliable information on sex education and family planning through existing community programs. 2 alternative strategies to provide these services are being tested in poor urban areas of Monterrey. In 1 experimental area, Integrated Youth Centers (IYC) were established which provide sex education and family planning services as well as counseling, academic tutoring, and recreational activities. In another area, trained young adults and community counselors work through informal networks to privide sex education and family planning information. Both utilization and the cost of these services are examined in the context of plans for expanding coverage in Mexico-US border areas. This project has demonstrated that it is feasible to provide sex education and family planning services to young adults in a variety of formats. In terms of cost-effectiveness, these results suggest that the development of an IYC is neither the most effective nor least expensive alternative available for providing these services. The Community Youth Program has been much more effective in reaching young adults, particularly single males, at less than 1/3 of the cost of operating an IYC. Another important finding is that both youth programs seem to reach a youger, unmarried group not previously served by other programs.
