Submission ID 129972
| Issue/Objective | Adolescent girls in Tanzania face persistent stigma related to sexual and reproductive health (SRH), particularly surrounding contraceptive use. Rooted in gender norms and social expectations, this stigma acts as an upstream barrier to accessing care, reinforcing inequities in health and autonomy. Despite growing attention to adolescent SRH, few interventions directly target stigma in community settings. This study aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a participatory, community-based intervention to reduce contraceptive and SRH stigma among adolescent girls in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, in alignment with global calls for equity-driven, action-oriented solutions. |
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| Methodology/Approach | We conducted a mixed-methods pilot study with 40 adolescent girls in Moshi Urban and Moshi Rural districts. The intervention consisted of participatory stigma-reduction workshops adapted from a health facility-based training model to a community and youth context. Workshops used interactive activities including gender norms reflection, role-playing, and facilitated dialogue to challenge stigmatizing beliefs and promote SRH knowledge and empowerment. Quantitative data were collected pre- and post-intervention using validated stigma scales, alongside qualitative focus group discussions. |
| Results | The intervention was feasible and well-received across urban and rural settings. Quantitative findings demonstrated a significant reduction in contraceptive use stigma (p<.001), while broader SRH stigma measures showed no significant change. Rural participants reported higher baseline stigma levels, with no sustained differences post-intervention. Qualitative findings revealed increased SRH knowledge, reduced moral judgment toward contraception, and greater confidence in discussing SRH with peers and adults. Participants emphasized the value of safe, peer-based dialogue in challenging stigma and fostering empowerment. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | This pilot provides evidence that participatory, community-based approaches can effectively address contraceptive stigma among adolescent girls, a critical yet under-targeted driver of health inequity. By centring youth voices and challenging harmful gender norms, this model offers a scalable pathway for advancing equitable access to SRH information and care. In a fragmented global health landscape, such low-cost, contextually grounded interventions are essential for translating evidence into action and collectively reclaiming health equity. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Rachel Di Iorio Queen's University Rachel Di Iorio Queen's University Nicola West Queen's University Anisia Kiwelu WEMA Health Innovation Tanzania Doreen Mruma WEMA Health Innovation Tanzania Elizabeth Ngolle WEMA Health Innovation Tanzania Mwasiti Jumanne WEMA Health Innovation Tanzania Isabell Kearn McMaster University Carmen Logie University of Toronto Karen Yeates Queen's University |
