Exploring the qualitative aspects of peer educator development and assessing training program suitability for adolescent reproductive health in Zambia
Abstract
Background: In Zambia, addressing the multifaceted challenges in adolescent reproductive health has become increasingly imperative as the youth population continues to grow. Peer education programs, a key strategy, leverage the influence of peer dynamics and relatability for effective knowledge dissemination and behavior change among adolescents. However, a lack of standardized guidelines for training adolescent peer educators has led to significant variations in program duration, age criteria, and content among different organizations. To address this issue, stakeholders in Zambia collaborated to create a preliminary training program tailored to the unique needs of adolescent peer educators, emphasizing interactive activities and dynamic discussions. Methods: To develop the training program, extensive data synthesis was conducted. Findings from FGDs were combined with stakeholder input, utilizing a triangulation approach to ensure a well-rounded understanding. This method, based on Fern's concept, involves examining the subject from multiple angles and drawing insights from various research components, emphasizing the need for factual data sources. Diverse data collection methods, including FGDs, document analysis, and stakeholder group interviews, formed the foundation for the training program development, incorporating a wide range of data sources and perspectives. The outcomes of this triangulation process laid the foundation for the meticulous development of the training program, resulting in a holistic understanding and the creation of an effective program. Results: Different organizations' programs were compared, showing variations in duration, age criteria, and content. The study stressed the significance of peer educators in adolescent reproductive health education and the necessity for support, resources, and acknowledgment. Challenges faced by peer educators were discussed, and their relevance to psychological theories was noted. A summary is presented in vital peer education concepts, including age-appropriate training, peer learning, peer educator benefits, cultural sensitivity, and the value of support and supervision. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of peer educators in adolescent reproductive health education, highlighting the need for support and recognition. Findings reveal variations in training programs and underscore the value of addressing challenges faced by peer educators. Ultimately, the study calls for a more standardized and supportive approach to enhance the effectiveness of such programs.All authors who submit their paper for publication will abide by following provisions of the copyright transfer: 1. The copyright of the paper rests with the authors. And they are transferring the copyright to publish the article and used the article for indexing and storing for public use with due reference to published matter in the name of concerned authors. 2. The authors reserve all proprietary rights such as patent rights and the right to use all or part of the article in future works of their own such as lectures, press releases, and reviews of textbooks. 3. In the case of republication of the whole, part, or parts thereof, in periodicals or reprint publications by a third party, written permission must be obtained from the Managing Editor of JPRM. 4. The authors declare that the material being presented by them in this paper is their original work, and does not contain or include material taken from other copyrighted sources. Wherever such material has been included, it has been clearly indented or/and identified by quotation marks and due and proper acknowledgements given by citing the source at appropriate places. 5. The paper, the final version of which they submit, is not substantially the same as any that they had already published elsewhere. 6. They declare that they have not sent the paper or any paper substantially the same as the submitted one, for publication anywhere else. 7. Furthermore, the author may only post his/her version provided acknowledgement is given to the original source of publication in this journal and a link is inserted wherever published. 8. All contents, Parts, written matters, publications are under copyright act taken by JPRM. 9. Published articles will be available for use by scholars and researchers. 10. IJPRM is not responsible in any type of claim on publication in our Journal. .