Syrian refugees in Jordan face unprecedented challenges with regard to their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Early pregnancy, child marriage, gender-based violence and sexual assault have become significant problems as a result of changing economic pressures, community dynamics and social norms.
Using participatory qualitative methods and rigorous quantitative data analysis, the Women and Health Initiative is leading a study in partnership with the Center for Women’s Studies at the Jordan University and the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development that will respond to some of the most critical SRHR needs facing young men and women living in Jordan, with a focus on Syrian refugees and members of their host communities.
The main research objectives of this study focus on 1) the policy, regulatory and service delivery infrastructure, 2) the factors that influence demand for and utilization of SRHR information and services, 3) the quality of existing services targeting youth and 4) the development of strategies for improving youth SRHR services.
The findings of this study will be utilized to improve the sexual and reproductive health of young men and women living in Jordan by informing the design of multi-level interventions to create a more equitable social environment that enables youth to access the quality SRH services.
This study is made possible through generous support from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO).
Publications:
Gausman, J., Othman, A., Dababneh, A., Dabobe, A., Hamad, I., Daas, I. & Langer A. A social-ecological examination into the research, policy and health service delivery environment related to early marriage and sexual and gender-based violence among youth in Jordan. BMC Int Health Hum Rights20, 16 (2020).
Othman, A., Shaheen, A., Otoum, M., Aldiqs, M., Hamad, I., Dabobe, M., Langer, A., Gausman, J. (2020) Parent–child communication about sexual and reproductive health: perspectives of Jordanian and Syrian parents, Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 28:1.
Gausman, J., Othman, A., Dababneh, A., Hamad, I., Dabobe, M., Daas, I., & Langer, A. (2020). Landscape analysis of family planning research, programmes and policies targeting young people in Jordan: stakeholder assessment and systematic review. East Mediterr Health J, 26.
Gausman, J., Othman, A., Daas, I., Hamad, I., Dabobe, M., & Langer, A. (2019). How Jordanian and Syrian youth conceptualise their sexual and reproductive health needs: a visual exploration using concept mapping. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 1-16.
Gausman J, Othman A, Hamad I, Dabobe M, Daas I, Langer A. “Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Among Youth in Jordan: A Landscape Analysis.” Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health: Boston, MA. March 2019.
Gausman J, Othman A, Amawi A, & Langer, A. (2019). “Child marriage in the Arab world.” The Lancet, 394(10201), 825-826.
Gausman J, Othman A, Hamad IL, Dadobe M, Daas I, Langer A. How do Jordanian and Syrian youth living in Jordan envision their sexual and reproductive health needs? A concept mapping study protocol. BMJ Open; 2019.
Gausman J, Othman A, Otoom M, Shaheen A, Langer A. Youth as Navigators: A Study Protocol to Incorporate Narrative and Visual Methods Into Research on Adolescent Sexual and Gender Development Among Syrian and Jordanian Youth. International Journal of Qualitative Methods; 2019
Policy Briefs:
“Engaging Parents in Sexual and Reproductive Health Education: ‘Awareness Starts from Home'”
