BG07 “Initiatives for public health” programme of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism
Mission possible: Better sexual and reproductive health for young people from vulnerable communities – ways of overcoming healthcare inequalities
The project “Mission possible” is implemented by the Bulgarian Family Planning and Sexual Health Association (BFPA) in partnership with the National Network of Health Mediators (NNHM) in 14 populated areas in 13 municipalities of 8 regions. The project is financed by the BG07 “Initiatives for public health” programme of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism via the Bulgarian Ministry of Health. The duration of the project is from September 2015 to February 2017.
The targeted populated areas are Blagoevgrad, Chukarka (Aitos Municipality), Velingrad, Rakitovo, Peshtera, Rozino and Hristo Danovo (Karlovo Municipality), Gradetz (Kotel Municipality), Sotirya (Sliven Municipality), Shivachevo (Tvurditza Municipality), Vakarel (Ihtiman Municipality), Kovachevtzi (Samokov Municipality), Muglizh, Straldzha. They were chosen on the basis of researches, for example the data from the project “Elaboration of sets of measures for integration of the most vulnerable communities among the ethnic communities with a focus on Roma” (BG 051P001-6.2.11), financed under the OP HRD and administrated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. Current data from the partners about the health status and trends in these communities in regards of sexual and reproductive health were used.
In the last years the partnership between BFPA and NNHM in the field of sexual and reproductive health is especially strong. As a result of this cooperation annually on average more than 1500 women from marginalized communities and with a low social status have an ensured access to modern contraceptives while another 5000 people have been referred, consulted and tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections of social significance.
The goal of the project is to improve the sexual and reproductive health of young people and to reduce social inequality. Its specific objectives include improved access to services for prevention of sexually transmitted infections and HIV, supporting family planning activities and increasing of the overall awareness on issues in the field of sexual and reproductive health and behavior modification.
In order to achieve the set goals and tasks the partners have planned activities in the following fields:
1) Organizing and implementing tests for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV directed mainly at the most vulnerable groups from the targeted populated areas. For the duration of these activities a minimum of 3000 people are expected to undergo voluntary counseling and testing for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, as well as at least 2400 for syphilis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.
2) Organizing and implementing activities in the field of family planning. These activities are expected to increase awareness and increase the demand for specific contraceptives, ensured by BFPA for free. The expectations are that at least 500 women from the most marginalized groups in the target populated areas will use such methods of contraception towards the end of the projected period.
3) Increasing the awareness of the target groups on matters, related to sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and to the concept of family planning. The work in this particular field is based on community impact, aimed at a behavioral modification towards a higher demand for sexual and reproductive health related services.
The project "Mission possible - Better sexual and reproductive health for young people from vulnerable communities – ways of overcoming healthcare inequalities" is financed under the BG07 "Initiatives for Public Health" Programme of the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism 2009-2014. http://www.eeagrants.bg/
This publication is created with financial support from the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism 2009-2014. The entire responsibility for the contents of the document is of BFPA and under no circumstances can be assumed that this document presents official opinion of the Programme Operator of the BG07 "Initiatives for Public Health" Programme or European Economic Area Financial Mechanism.
PROJECT RESULTS SUMMARY
