From the 8th to 12th of July, ACDEP traveled to the 5 member organization of ACDEP who are part of the health program. The reason for the visit was to identify challenges and prepare all stakeholders with the upcoming distribution of mobile phones as planned for September 2013. The invited participants varied from peer educators to coordinators, from teachers to clinic staff members, from traditional birth attendances to traditional medical practitioners and their secretaries & from the head of the clinic to chiefs and opinion leaders.

Today we launched a SMS Quiz on sexual reproductive health. The aim of the SMS Quiz is to inform adolescents in a fun and interactive way about their sexuality. That is important since 75% of the adolescents – questioned during one of our researches on SRH – did not know that they can get pregnant when having sexual intercourse without using any contraceptive method. Less than half of the adolescents knew that you cannot tell someone’s HIV status just by looking at them. By enhancing their knowledge they are able to make their own decisions. Participants who answer all questions will receive a ticket for the World Aids Day Event and can also win prices like mobile phones, t-shirts and airtime.

“To reach as many adolescents as possible we partner with four radio stations, distribute flyers and posters in town and we will visit clinics and schools to tell students about the quiz”, explains Prince Abugri programme manager at ACDEP’s health unit. “Besides these traditional media we will use new media like a campaign website and our Facebook Page to create more awareness.”

Interested in participating in the quiz?
Simply text the key word “WAD2013” to 7000 (MTN) or 1904 (Airtel, Expresso) and you will receive 11 questions about sexual and reproductive health and 3 personal questions during one week. Answers are confidential and will not be shared. Participants who answer all questions will receive a ticket for the World Aids Day event organized at the 30th of November at the Jubilee Park in Tamale.