Mombasa Launches New AYP Strategy: A Roadmap for Adolescent and Young People’s Health

**Mombasa County Chief Officer for Public Health and Disease Prevention, Abdallah Daleno (center), with other key leaders, at the launch of the AYP Strategy**.

LVCT Health, through its USAID Stawisha Pwani project, recently supported Mombasa County in developing and launching the second edition of the Mombasa Adolescents and Young People (AYP) Strategy 2024-2029.

The strategy focuses on addressing the health needs of adolescents and young people (ages 10 to 24), promoting a healthy transition to adulthood, and advocating for meaningful youth engagement in decision-making.

The launch event was honored by the presence of Mombasa County Chief Officer for Public Health and Disease Prevention, Abdallah Daleno, along with other key leaders, partners, and young people from across the county.

Speaking Mr. Daleno hailed the strategy and emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts from all stakeholders to ensure its successful implementation, meeting the needs of adolescents and protecting their rights.

The strategy’s development was spearheaded by the Adolescent Health Technical Working Group, which includes members from the County Health Management Team, Sub-County Management Teams, partners, young people through the Mombasa Youth Advisory Champions of Health (YACH), youth-led organizations, and civil society representatives.

The goal of the strategy is to enhance the health and well-being of adolescents and young people by considering diversities such as key populations, gender and sexual minorities, vulnerable and marginalized groups, and special populations. It envisions a healthy, empowered, and productive youth population, with a mission to provide leadership and create an enabling environment for evidence-based health services.

Adolescents and young people (ages 10-24) constitute over 29% of Mombasa County’s population. Their health is crucial for the county’s development. This demographic also significantly contributes to new HIV infections and STIs.

Anthony Chazara, Digital Health Officer at LVCT Health, discusses the MindSKILLZ program and its focus on promoting adolescent mental well-being through a sport-based, positive approach to mental health during the launch of the AYP Strategy.

Mombasa County has a higher HIV prevalence than the national average, with a 7.4% prevalence in 2022 compared to the national rate of 5.6%. Among women, the prevalence is notably higher at 10.5%, with 6% among those aged 15-19 and 10% among those aged 20-24.

The 2024-2029 strategy builds upon the previous 2018-2023 strategy and includes provisions for reporting and handling gender-based violence cases involving adolescents and young people. It also incorporates evidence-based mental health interventions within the county, such as MindSKILLZ.

USAID Stawisha Pwani remains a key partner in health provision in Mombasa County and will continue to engage with young people to champion the implementation of this vital strategy.

The day-long event also offered participants a variety of health services, including clinical breast examinations, cervical cancer screenings, family planning consultations, HIV counseling and testing, mental health assessments, and youth information sessions. Additionally, participants enjoyed a range of edutainment activities focused on sexual and reproductive health.