1. LVCT Health is a Kenyan NGO that provides HIV, SRH services and conducts research. They implemented the One2One Sanitary Pad Initiative to distribute pads and provide SRH information to girls in schools. 2. Over 5,000 girls in 17 schools received sanitary pads, underwear, and SRH information through open forums. School attendance improved during periods and demand for hotline information increased. 3. Integrating pad distribution with credible SRH education was effective for reaching girls. Involving education officials helped identify schools in need, and understanding each school ensured appropriate interventions.

1. 1
www.lvcthealth.org
Utilizing one2one Sanitary pads initiative as an entry point
for HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)
information
Kibutha A; Maingi C; Muthoni T; Njiru P; Chazara A; Gitau
E; Gatimu J; Thiomi J.
6th
International Conference on Peer Education, Sexuality, HIV & AIDS 2014
Dates: 16- 18 June 2014

2. We have rebranded. We are now LVCT Health

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ABOUT LVCT Health
www.lvcthealth.org
• LVCT Health (formerly known as Liverpool VCT, Care
and treatment (LVCT)) is an indigenous Kenyan non-
governmental and non-profit organization.
• Founded in 1998 and registered in 2001
• LVCT Health envisions healthy societies and uses
research results, capacity improvement and policy
reform action for equitable HIV, SRH services to the
most vulnerable populations.
• LVCT health reached 1.3m Kenyans with HTC in 2013
with 80% linkage to care, 40,000 in care, 4300
survivors of sexual violence in 124 MOH facilities
and 150,000 youthful callers to one2one hotline.

4. Building Partnerships, transforming lives 4
Presentation Outline
www.lvcthealth.org
• Background
• Intervention
• Results
• Lesson learnt
• Recommendations

5. Building Partnerships, transforming lives 5
www.lvcthealth.org
…“I was keenly following your discussions and it was
very useful. Her tone changed and her voice low aware
of her surrounding she asked;- ‘sometimes I get things
like small pieces of meat coming out my private parts
during periods, is that a problem?’ the counsellor
responded to her concern and she was satisfied.
Lowering her voice further and looking around to
make sure nor student neither a teacher is listening
she asked;- sometimes I get white stuffs coming out of
my private part, sometimes it is so itchy na naskia
kuwaswa (I feel a burning sensation) what could be
the problem”

6. Building Partnerships, transforming lives 6
www.lvcthealth.org
I have only two panties and sometimes it is difficult to
have them dry especially during rainy season…so this
results to me putting them when wet. Sometimes my
young sister takes one so I only remain with one. It is
very challenging especially during periods because I
can’t go to school because I neither have pads nor
panties…Agnes, form 3 student.

7. Building Partnerships, transforming lives 7
Background
www.lvcthealth.org
• Young women are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection compared
with young men
• 3 percent of women age 15-19 are HIV infected, compared with less
than one percent of men age 15-19.
• Less than 25% reported that they had used a condom at their first sex.
• Young women are often willing to participate in transactional
relationships for various reasons.
• Among young adolescents aged 12 to 14 years, 7% reported ever
having sex, with a median age at first sex reported at 10 years, KAIS
2012.
• Only 35% of callers at LVCT Health one2one hotline are women.
• Girls are confused by changes in their bodies and unsure of how to
maintain personal hygiene and prevent stains on their uniforms
(FAWE, 2005)
Source KDHS

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One2one Sanitary Pad Initiative (OSPI)
www.lvcthealth.org
Aim: to reach girls with sanitary pads whilst
offering adolescent friendly SRH/HIV,
information, knowledge and awareness
among girls aged 12-19 years.
Project sites: Machakos, Kajiado, Nairobi,
Kiambu & Kisumu
Mechanism: Moderated open forums (girl
talk and boy talk sessions) facilitated by
youth counselors and volunteers

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Process
www.lvcthealth.org
1. Selection of schools: Done through the County DOE
2. Initial assessment: Visit selected schools, identify key
isses issues affecting girls, school attendance, discussion
with school head/ counsellor
3. Actual intervention: Provide information to all students,
then have “gal talk” and distribute sanitary pads for 3-4
months and panties
4. Evaluation of Intervention: Done after 3-4 months,
identify successes and challenges
5. Feedback to MoE, donors: Through sharing best
practices and lessons learnt

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Results
www.lvcthealth.org
• 17 school reached with the intervention
• Over 5000 girls were reached with SRH info,
sanitary pads and panties
• Improvement in school attendance especially
during the menstruation period
• Demand for SRH information from the
one2one hotline esp. after discussions
• Raised self esteem as pads were comfortable,
reliable and hygienic

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Lessons Learnt
www.lvcthealth.org
1. Integrating SRH info in san pad distribution is
an effective way of reaching girls with credible
info.
2. Involvement of education official is key in
identifying the schools that need help.
3. An understanding of the school prior makes the
intervention appropriate to the audience.

12. Building Partnerships, transforming lives 12
Recommendations
www.lvcthealth.org
1. Boys and young men involvement- help in reduction
of stigma.
2. Packaging of sanitary pads esp. on the primary school
programme- panties & information pack?
3. National coordination and national level reporting
mechanisms
4. National level independent TWG/ steering committee

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Pictorial
www.lvcthealth.org
This is how we do it,

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Thank You
CONTACT US:
akibutha@lvcthealth.org
nairobi@lvcthealth.org
www.lvcthealth.org