With a growth rate of 1.9% per year, India’s population could exceed 2 billion by 2070. India's enormous population of young people will require reproductive health services over the next 10-15 years. Large numbers of couples want to space or limit births but they are not using any method of contraception.

The Youth Friendly Reproductive Health Pilot Program works to create a sustainable and improved supply and demand for “youth-friendly” reproductive health products and counseling via chemist shops, medical doctors and traditional medical providers as an intervention that addresses unmet reproductive health needs among young (ages 15-24), low-income, married couples in urban Lucknow. This research model helps further expansion of youth reproductive health programs and further a global understanding of how such strategies impact reproductive health of youth.

The Youth Friendly Reproductive Health Pilot Program works to create a sustainable and improved supply and demand for “youth-friendly” reproductive health products and counseling via chemist shops, medical doctors and traditional medical providers as an intervention that addresses unmet reproductive health needs among young (ages 15-24), low-income, married couples in urban Lucknow. This research model helps further expansion of youth reproductive health programs and further a global understanding of how such strategies impact reproductive health of youth.

Key activities under the project are:

• Qualitative research with young married men and women in Lucknow and quantitative baseline survey in the intervention city, Lucknow, and control city, Kanpur;
• Collaborate with professional associations for chemists, OB/GYNs, general practitioners and traditional medical providers to assist with training and referral mechanisms and work with manufacturers of temporary contraceptive methods (condoms, oral contraceptives, emergency contraceptives, standard days method) to position “youth friendly” products in the commercial sector and promote as a lifestyle brand;
• Design a “youth-friendly” training program for retailers and medical providers aimed at increasing provider’s knowledge as well as counseling skills; and
• An extensive communication campaign has been rolled out using multiple media channels, both outdoor and in-clinic, to promote the network as well as increase demand for reproductive health services.
• A toll-free helpline has also been established to answer queries on reproductive health issues in a private and confidential manner and provide referrals to network providers.