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Background

Community and public engagement with science and research improves community awareness and understanding of value and methods of science. THRiVE encourages and supports its research fellows to engage the community as a pathway to maximizing the potential impact of their research. As part of a Ph.D. study, we undertook community engagement activities on Sexually Transmitted Infections(STIs) among young adults attending Higher Learning Institutions(HLIs) in Mbeya-Tanzania.

Objectives

To interact with the community of HLI representatives to nurture good working relationships, learn about the STI situation and prevention activities in the study area and inspire informed participation in the proposed research.

Methodology

 Mbeya’s HLIs representatives were invited to a joint interactive group discussion with the THRiVE-2 Ph.D. Fellow, and Mbeya Regional Medical Officer (RMO). We presented the research project's overview describing its purpose and relevance to higher learning students, a migratory and mobile population of young people at their peak years for sexual experimentation. This was followed by interactive group discussions on STIs among young adults in Mbeya. Data from discussions were organized and analysed qualitatively according to emerging themes.

Results

Participants were in support of the research project and indicated their willingness to assist in the project implementation and recruitment. Emerging themes from the discussions regarding challenges included lack of parent and/or teacher-driven communication on STIs and sexual matters; as well as insufficient modalities for teaching adolescents on Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) beyond what they learn in Biology lessons. Additionally, we identified an urgent need for a Training-of-Trainers refresher course for the SRH curriculum teachers. Participants proposed that health and education sectors in Mbeya should collaborate in joint development of an informative adolescent-friendly SRH curriculum.

Conclusion

 Community engagement enabled us to obtain approvals and cooperation for study participation and implementation. Additionally, our target audience were enabled to understand the importance of the project and pledged to community.