Establishing reproductive health education and counselling in military services: The Turkish model

S Gungor¹, B Bakir², A Akyuz³, E Gocgeldi², CH Acikel², T Kaya³, M Gulec², M Hasde², A Temiztugay⁴, R Gul⁴, H Bebis³, R Pabuccu⁷, G Yildirimkaya⁵, T Tuzer⁵, E Elci⁵, D Sen⁶, AB Albrectsen⁵

¹Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Dept. Obstetrics&Gynecology, Ankara, Turkey, ²Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Dept. Public Health, Ankara, Turkey, ³Gulhane Military Medical Academy, School of Nursery, Ankara, Turkey, ⁴Directorate of Mother-Child Health&Family Planning, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey, ⁵UNFPA, Office of Turkey, Ankara, Turkey, ⁶Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Dean of School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey, ⁷Ufuk University, Dept. Ufuk University, Dept. Obstetrics&Gynecology, Ankara, Turkey

Background Ministry of Health, Mother and Child Health and Family Planning General Directorate; Turkey Field Office of UNFPA, and Gulhane Military Medical Academy (GMMA) of Turkish Armed Forces have been conducting a project to increase male concern and participation in sexual and reproductive health in a positive and supporting way.

Methods Specialist physicians and nurses from military hospitals were trained by Ministry of Health trainers (October 2002- September 2003) by one-week courses on interactive training skills. Primary physicians, nurses and medical petty officers were trained as field trainers and counselors (March 2003-April 2004). Training rooms with standardized training material were established in all of the military garrisons. Soldiers were given the one-day participatory course. Trained medical staff also provided individual counseling and services. All training rooms were coded and connected to Reproductive Health Network established within the Intranet of Army. Reproductive Health activities were included in the regular supervision scheme of the army.

Results Since April 2004 740.000 soldiers were given the one-day course. A total of 4000 military medical staff as Trainers. A total of 580 training rooms were established. Twenty of Military Hospitals became a center of reproductive health training and service delivery.

Conclusion

Since large-scale intervention is necessary to reach male population, the army seems to be the best possible venue in Turkey. Although there are still many challenges ahead, the experiences of the partners of this project can be invaluable to other countries all around the world.