A peer health education model passes important life lessons from classmate to classmate, child to parent, and neighbour to neighbour. Over 150 schools work with NSGA to enable peer health education in their classrooms and schoolyards.
What is Peer Health Education?
Teams of peer health educators (PHEs) in each participating school are provided with up-to-date information on the major health issues confronting youth in their area, and trained in presentation skills to enable them to make a positive impact on their fellow students, out-of-school youth and members of their community.
The work of the PHEs in each school is coordinated by a trained guidance counsellor and/or teacher, who facilitates their work within the school. They ensure that the PHEs:
- have the support of administrators and staff;
- monitor their presentations for accuracy, quality and effectiveness; and
- provide on-site coaching, encouragement and logistical assistance.
The PHEs engage the interest of their fellow students and other audiences by the liveliness, clarity, variety, relevance and interactive quality of their presentations. They usually employ dramatic techniques (role plays, skits, short dramas) to bring current health issues to the attention of their audience, then engage the audience in dialogue about the issues presented and follow up with factual information, problem solving exercises, role plays involving members of the audience and other interactive activities.
PHEs also create posters and other visual displays on the key issues, put on relevant video programs and invite guest speakers on health topics to address the students at assemblies. They are trained to use print and electronic media to reach a larger audience, and to use the internet to remain up-to-date on the topics they are teaching. In rural villages and on radio and television, they will usually conduct their presentation in one or more of the local (national) languages.
In some schools, PHEs may establish their own “teen health centre” where students may come for peer counselling. They also work in collaboration with the school counsellor to reach as large a sector of the student population as possible. When the PHEs have established their credibility with their peers through their knowledge and expertise with respect to the key health and social issues (such as reproductive health, STIs, HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, self-esteem, problem-solving, nutrition and environmental issues), their peers will look up to them as role models and for assistance in coping with personal problems relevant to maintaining good health and well being.
PHEs encourage the establishment of peer health education teams and will assist in training them. They also help train their own replacements in anticipation of their graduation.
Their aim is to hold a mirror up to their own society and encourage their peers and other audiences to firstly examine the consequences of common health-related actions and behaviours which may put individuals and groups at risk, and secondly to adopt behaviours which lead to personal and community health and well being.
Why PHE?
Breaking taboos around sexual and reproductive health
A discussion around sexual health between parents and their children is not ‘the norm’ in Gambian societies. In fact, discussing sex in general is considered a taboo in most Gambian households. In addition, sexual health is not a priority in the Gambian education system. Therefore, most children and youth learn about their bodies from peers. Without the proper knowledge, children can pass along incorrect information about sexual health to their peers, leading to life-changing consequences. NSGA’s programming helps to break these taboos and create spaces for Gambian youth to learn about and practice safe sexual and reproductive health practices
Practical education to curb preventable illness and disease
In the Gambia there are many health challenges, especially when it comes to preventable illness and disease. Although these issues require major coordination and sustained intervention to contain and reverse, there are at the same time many everyday behavioural changes that can be undertaken by communities to help curb their impact. Peer health education builds capacity in communities, empowering people to make more informed decisions about their health via accessible and culturally sensitive programming.
Empowering young leaders of tomorrow
Peer health education by its nature fosters and develops strong facilitation and leadership skills in the youth it engages, and youth PHEs become strong role models for their fellow students and in their communities. They leave the program with a range of tools for effective engagement, and an enhanced sense of confidence.
How do we do it?
NSGA works with The Gambia’s Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to implement a peer health education and training model in schools. Each school that participates identifies 30 students as the official peer health educators. Two teachers (referred to as teacher coordinators) from each school are identified to support and guide peer health educators. At the beginning of each academic year, NSGA conducts training workshops for teacher coordinators all across the country. Peer health educators receive regular training from teacher coordinators and NSGA staff on various components of health and wellbeing. NSGA produces and distributes resource materials for all peer health education teams to reference throughout the year. NSGA staff also train peer health educators in public speaking, theatre and design to aid in their outreach activities throughout the year. Peer health educators are responsible for presentations, information sessions, acting in plays and creating awareness posters – all of which help deliver important life saving lessons.
Reach and Benefits
At least 159 schools use peer health education across the country each year.
More than 300 teachers are trained each year to facilitate peer health education in their schools.
Leadership is built among students as they take pride in organizing their outreach plans and serve as resources to the entire school. Peer health educators know what issues they need to focus on at any given time. It could range from teenage pregnancy to using mosquito nets to reduce cases of malaria.