The second edition of the BFPA and DUREX school reproductive health campaign has ended
The Bulgarian Family Planning and Sexual Health Association (BFPA) and DUREX for the second year in a row jointly conducted a health information campaign with two young people (influencers) in leading roles – in secondary schools in Sofia and the country. The initiative, which consists of two parts – health educational talks in classes and meetings of two influencers with the graduates of 9th and 10th grades, and in some schools, at the discretion of the principals, 8th, 11th and 12th grades are also included – started with its first edition at the end of 2023.
In the health educational talks, the focus of the meetings is on basic knowledge about health prevention and reproductive health, combined with a discussion with students about personal responsibility and their behavior when in a relationship with an intimate partner. Students feel free to ask questions on topics that concern them.
And the event with the participation of two popular influencers Meli / Vicky and Elyasa gives young people the opportunity to hear health messages about prevention and responsible behavior in a casual and memorable way from young people close to their age who are well-known in their circles. During the events and talks, students receive important knowledge about maturation and reproductive health and reflect together with the trainers and influencers on various cases, which makes them think and sharpen their attention on topics of utmost importance for their health and well-being. The most active receive small incentive prizes.
So far, for its two editions, held within two consecutive school years, the campaign has reached more than 11,400 students in schools in Sofia, Stara Zagora, Pleven, Kazanlak, Troyan and Simitli, as well as in Pirdop and Byala Slatina, where the events were held not only in the municipalities but also with students from the surrounding areas, and everywhere the students welcome us with great interest, and the teachers and psychologists with whom we are in contact define the benefits of these meetings as undoubted. The total number of schools covered by the campaign for the duration of the two school years is 35.
The most common questions that continue to concern young people remain related to the differences between HIV and AIDS, the undesirable effects of using the Plan B pill, the HPV vaccines, the importance of good communication between partners, the options for contraception and the potential harm to health and reproductive abilities in ignored and untreated sexually transmitted infections. One of the most important messages we give to young people is that using condoms is the best and most cost-effective way they can use it, and it is entirely up to them.
Impressions from the first edition of the campaign can be seen here: BFPA and DUREX Together for Reproductive Health In a Campaign in Schools – BFPA
The team implementing the campaign: Meli/Viki and Elyasa – influencers; Savko Velinov – representative of Durex; Dr. Radosveta Stamenkova, Daniela Dikova, Ralitsa Hristova, Ralitsa Zgalevska – trainers and coordinator from BFPA; Dr. Krasimir Romanov, Valeri Kozhuharova and Prof. Boryana Parashkevova – coordinators from BFPA and trainers for Pleven and Stara Zagora and the surrounding area.
