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A Time of Uncertainty and Opportunity: Findings From a Formative Assessment of First-Time Parents

Nigeria

Becoming a parent for the first time marks an important milestone in the sexual and reproductive health (RH) lives of women and men around the world. First-time parents (FTPs) in low- and middle-income countries are often young: they may be married or unmarried, and their male partner may be similar in age or much older, or, may not be present. Their experiences during this life stage are shaped by multiple contextual factors that influence their immediate and long-term RH and well-being.

Despite the potential that investing in these young women and their male partners could have on long-term development, few programs have provided FTPs with age appropriate and comprehensive care that encourage the healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies and improve caretaking of infants. In addition, there is also little evidence that demonstrates the needs of FTPs and whether they are being met. This is true of Cross River State (CRS), Nigeria, where most ARH programs, to date, have focused on preventing adolescent pregnancy and reducing HIV transmission—not in reaching adolescent FTPs with RH, family planning, and maternal and newborn health services.

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Strengthening Health Systems for UHC through a Primary Healthcare Lens: Learning from the African Experience, Building for the Future

By Mengistu Asnake and Rispah Walumbe. This article first appeared in SciDev.net, a global source for news, opinions, and analysis about science and…

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Co-designing programs for youth with youth: an essential approach to localization

By: Manish Mitra Lessons from Pathfinder’s locally led youth programs in India At Pathfinder, we are committed to locally led…

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That’s a Wrap on COP29

Final negotiations at #COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan concluded last week. After two weeks of discussion, this year’s “finance COP” resulted…

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Meet the Climate Champions of Bangladesh 

By Shanaj Parvin Parvin Jonaki, Communications Officer, Pathfinder Bangladesh and Sarah Peck, Communications Advisor  Mosammat Farhana, a college student from…

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Working with Woodabé communities to enhance climate resilience and improve the lives of women and girls

By Ali Adamou Harouna, Communications & External Engagement Advisor – Africa A Sahelian country in the heart of the Sahara…

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Invest in Today’s Health Workforce to Help Tomorrow’s Climate Crisis

By: Crystal Lander, Pathfinder International and Caroline York, IntraHealth The effects of climate change are increasing at meteoric rates, devastating…

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A Global Perspective on Local Action at GHPC 2024

At the Global Health Practitioner Conference (GHPC) 2024, Pathfinder International brought together voices from Kenya, Pakistan, and Bangladesh to explore…

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Reflections from GHPC 2024: Amplifying Community Voices in Climate and Health Action

The Global Health Practitioner Conference (GHPC) 2024 served as a powerful reminder of what we at Pathfinder International have long…

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Nothing About Communities Without Communities

USAID Uganda Family Planning Activity’s Localized Approach to Promoting Healthy Timing and Spacing of Pregnancies I am very grateful to…

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Local Nigerien Organizations Working to Reach Women and Girls in Fragile Settings

How MOMENTUM Integrated Health Resilience reaches communities in crisis In Niger, many communities are now out of reach for international…

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Wrap-Up: World Contraception Day 2024 Webinar

Young women from Burkina Faso, Jordan, Mozambique share stories of reproductive rights and choice Last week, in honor of the…

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From Policy to Practice: Revolutionizing Family Planning in Uganda

USAID/Uganda Family Planning Activity Celebrates World Contraception Day 2024 As we approach World Contraception Day 2024, Uganda faces a stark…

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