The economics of interventions to improve adolescent and reproductive health interventions in selected West African countries

Decisions made during adolescence have a significant impact on health and overall well-being in later life. Early onset of sexual activity and poor access to information and services have created new vulnerabilities to sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and unplanned pregnancy. Experts argue that a global “grand convergence” in health in all countries by 2030 (reducing infectious disease, child, and maternal mortality rates to those found in the best-performing middle-income countries) can be achieved by tackling preventable and treatable adolescent health issues. To achieve this global grand convergence, national governments have a critical role to play in supporting multi-level and multi-component intersectoral actions at different levels, from the household to community settings, schools, and health services.

Although a few West African countries have made plans to address and improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health outcomes, there is a lack of information about the cost, necessary resources, and requirements for scaling up the planned interventions. Given that government health budgets in Africa remain low, using this information to make the economic case for improving adolescent sexual and reproductive health will be key to mobilizing ongoing domestic resources to sustainably finance interventions and to improve the implementation environment.

This project will undertake a detailed situation analysis of national government strategies and policies on adolescent health in selected Francophone and Anglophone countries. Cost estimations, resource needs, and funding gaps will then be undertaken for promising interventions that are identified regionally and nationally. Finally, effective advocacy will be developed along with innovative and sustainable resource mobilization strategies for financing effective adolescent sexual and reproductive health interventions.

The project aims to strengthen the generation and application of a quality evidence base about feasible and cost-effective adolescent sexual and reproductive health interventions. It will also contribute to stakeholder processes to influence policy and practice around ensuring availability of required resources. The project will be implemented by the Ghana-based African Health Economics and Policy Association.