Determinants of Achieving Economic and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Outcomes through Multi-Sectoral Programming among Adolescent Girls in Ethiopia and Nigeria

Meghan Cutherell, Population Services International (PSI)
Mary Phillips, Population Services International
Abednego Musau, Population Services International (PSI)
Joy Ede, SFH Nigeria
Bethsheba Daure, Society for Family Health

Economic empowerment and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) can be critical levers for change for adolescent girls. Yet adolescent populations are not homogenous, and more information is needed on how demographic factors influence improvement in the economic and SRH domains. This study evaluated the results of three multi-sectoral interventions in Ethiopia and Nigeria (Ogun and Kaduna states) on key economic and SRH outcomes. The study employed a quasi-experimental design consisting of an intervention and a concurrent comparison group (n=2,776 participants total). Data was collected concurrently in both groups before participants were involved in the intervention (baseline) and nine months after (endline) for the same participants. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) models were fit to assess study outcomes, with an adjusted model that included covariates for baseline measures of age, marital status, education level, and parity. Analysis demonstrated that older girls and those with higher parity were more likely to have achieved key economic and SRH outcomes. This validates key evidence on the influence of age, marriage, and fertility expectations on adolescent girls’ SRH choice and access and indicates that other non-health outcome areas may be similarly influenced by age and parity.

Keywords: Human Capital, Education, and Work, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Children, Adolescents, and Youth, Inequality, Disadvantage and Discrimination

See extended abstract.