Albania

Increasing uptake of modern contraceptives

C-Change is implementing an integrated behavior change communication (BCC) program to increase young men and women’s uptake of modern contraceptive methods that are available in the private and public sectors. This program is working to counter current misconceptions about family planning methods and improve informed choice for contraceptives.

Focused on changing beliefs and behaviors primarily among young men and women ages 18 to 35, a mass media campaign to promote the safety and reliability of modern contraceptive methods was launched in April 2009.

Messages were designed for TV, radio, print, and outdoor displays. Media spots, such as the TV clip below, were based around the tagline "Enjoy life, enjoy love. Use modern contraceptives... For Happy Moments."
 

Concert at Tirana University in Albania Supports Efforts to Increase Modern Contraceptive Use
 

More than 3,000 students attended the second concert held this year in support of family planning for university students at the Tirana University campus on November 24, 2009.

Sponsored by C Change, in cooperation with Bayer-Schering Pharma and Tirana University, the concert was an opportunity to reinforce messages of the “Happy Moments” mass media campaign and peer education intervention to increase use of modern contraceptives. The campaign, led by C-Change, also worked to counter widespread misinformation among university students about modern contraceptives. Albania’s Minister of Education Myqerem Tafaj  participated in the event, acknowledging the impact of the peer education intervention among students.

Performances included popular musicians and entertainers from throughout Albania alongside information from the host on modern contraceptive methods--including the benefits of use and normal side effects. C-Change peer educators were on hand to talk to attendees interested in family planning and distribute additional information, education, and communication (IEC) support materials on modern methods.

Improving interpersonal skills of pharmacists

The program has also developed interventions with pharmacists to improve their  interpersonal skills when talking about modern contraception with young women.  And C-Change has trained university students as peer educators to work with fellow students to improve interpersonal skills to more easily discuss contraceptive concerns among themselves, with a partner, and with pharmacists.

The campaign is utilizing the social networking site Facebook to engage individuals on issues related to family planning and reproductive health. The campaign's Facebook page, which includes links to the mass media materials as well as an area to ask questions of one of the program's OB/GYNs has more than 850 friends and growing!

On June 2, C-Change/Albania celebrated completion of the first 6-month Peer Education program in family planning with the Festive Concert  "For Happy Moments" at Student City at the University of Tirana. More than 2,000 young people participated in the event, which recognized the 12 trainers and 150 students trained as peer educators with a certification ceremony, and was followed with live music and entertainment. More than 300 branded t-shirts and hats were distributed as well as educational materials from partners and free condoms from NESMARK and OES Distrimed.  The event was also sponsored by the Student Enterprise No. 1 and SHARK/PEPSI  company.

The program is also working to train journalists as family planning champions by providing accurate, up-to-date information on healthy reproductive behaviors and lifestyles.