Photo Credit: Ray Witlin, Courtesy of World Bank

USAID/Albania Recognizes World Contraception Day -- September 26, 2009

Over the years, USAID and numerous stakeholders in Albania have engaged in Reproductive Health / Family Planning activities. These efforts have resulted in a slow and steady increase in knowledge and use of contemporary contraceptives among Albanian consumers. While many Albanian couples have already endorsed the concept of family planning, there are many that still rely on traditional methods which are not as reliable as contemporary methods like the birth control pill, condoms, injectables or the IUD.

Since October 2008, the Family Planning Mass Media Campaign, “For Happy Moments” is part of a larger USAID-funded family planning program being implemented nationwide.  The program focuses on changing beliefs and behaviors, primarily among young men and women ages 18 to 35, in order to foster a healthier and happier way of life.  The program works also with the media, pharmacists and university students through community-based interventions to provide information on contemporary contraceptive methods and counter misconceptions that exist.

The overall goal of the program is not only to inform Albanians that safe modern contraceptive methods are available in Albania, but it is also to encourage Albanians to talk about contraception to their partner or someone their trust.  This will empower Albanians to make an informed choice on the contraceptive method that fits best their needs.

On September 26, Albania will recognise World Contraception Day following the same Worldwide 2009 Conception theme, which is quite appropriate for Albania:

“Your life, Your Voice, Talk Contraception”

USAID's C-Change FP in Albania Program, in close collaboration with different partners, UNFPA, Institute of Public Health, Bayer Schering, Nesmark and local NGOs, is organizing several activities to raise awareness of World Contraception Day in Albania. 

Advocacy Meeting with Journalists:

The first activity was to organize an “Advocacy meeting with journalists”.  The meeting had two main objectives:

• Update journalists with the benefits of using family planning modern methods, their advantages and normal side effects; and
• Encourage journalists in writing positive articles on the health and social benefits of using contraceptive methods.

The meeting offered a “Questions & Answers” approach, allowing the journalists responsible for social and health issues at their respective media to discuss reproductive health issues relevant to them.  Ten journalists who have been previously trained by C-Change Program attended the meeting.   The meeting took place at C-Change FP office on September 21, 2009 in collaboration with Bayer & Schering. 

Family Planning Info Centers:
The aim of these activities is to deliver Family Planning (FP) Information and messages to the public through face to face interaction and delivering Family planning IEC support materials in busy locations by pedestrians in Tirana.

Activity one: Two tents will be placed at the new Lana Bridge (between Youth Park and Bllok area), which will serve as FP Info Centers for the public. C-Change Peer Educators will be actively participating in communicating and delivering FP information and messages to the public and especially among young who are interested to know more on FP and contraception. Parts of the Lana Bridge will be covered by FP posters and banners and a D.J will play modern music.

The activity will take place on September 26, 2009 from 11.30 to 13.00.

Activity two: the same activity will be organized at QTU (Qendra Tregtare Univers) at the main entrance of the commercial Mall. The hall will be decorated with FP banners and posters and with other attractive elements (balloons, flowers etc). In a big TV screen will be shown different FP TV and radio spots produced by C-Change and partners. A moderator will attract and invite customers to visit the FP Info Centers.  She will also invite volunteers to participate at “Questions and Answers” mini concourses on FP and contraception knowledge. A symbolic package with IEC support materials and small presents will be given to those who will participate in the concourses.

The activity will be carried out from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.

SMS mini campaign
10,000 SMS (short messages) on family planning and modern contraceptive methods will be sent to the public through cell phones (Text will be decided with partners).

Additional activities
In other cities (Shkodra, Vlora and Elbasan), FP IEC support materials will be distributed to the public through peer educators and volunteers of Albanian Center for Development Population.

Partners
Private sector (Bayer Schering and NESMARK) along with C-Change Program are the main supporters of the activities. UNFPA, IPH. ACDP, URC and ACCESS-FP have given FP IEC support materials to distribute at the events.