In conjunction with AVSC's Men As Partners (MAP) initiative, a number of activities are under way to increase men's involvement in reproductive health.

Reproductive Health Model

On March 31 and April 1, 10 reproductive health experts from across the United States met at AVSC's headquarters in New York to draft a reproductive health model for men.

Emerging from the meeting was the first model of comprehensive clinical and psychosocial services for men's reproductive health care in the country. The model includes screening services; information, education, and counseling services; and clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Next steps include developing a training curriculum based on the model and working with service providers at pilot sites throughout the U.S. to implement the model.

Male Involvement in Latin America

AVSC and the International Planned Parenthood Federation's Western Hemisphere Regional Office have recently forged a partnership to work on gender and male involvement activities in Latin America. A workshop will be held in Latin America next summer.

Improving Services in Pakistan

The Nippon Foundation recently awarded a grant to AVSC to work in Pakistan with the government, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and local providers to create, implement, and deliver high-quality men's reproductive health services in 50 to 60 health centers.

New Video

With assistance from the Turner Foundation, AVSC produced a short video on why clients feel male involvement in reproductive health is important. The video premiered this May at an international MAP workshop in Mombasa, Kenya.

Research on Attitudes and Behavior

In three districts in Kenya, AVSC is conducting research to identify factors that change men's reproductive health attitudes and behavior from negative to positive.

Among other issues, the research illuminates the critical role male partners play and the complexity of decision making by couples about reproductive health. Preliminary findings from this research were presented at the Mombasa workshop.

Marketing Project

In El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico, AVSC and the Futures Group International are collaborating on a pilot project marketing health services to Spanish-speaking men. The objectives of the project are twofold: to increase the number of men who make reproductive health visits to a clinic each year, and to increase the responsibility that men take for using family planning methods with their partners.