This is the fifth of five technical briefs on the theme of community engagement, that draws on the results and lessons learned from the PRRINN-MNCH programme. This particular brief focuses on young women’s support groups, and how they can empower young women and improve maternal health. The key messages are:
- Targeted strategies are required to improve maternal, newborn and child health among young married women in the north of Nigeria.
- In communities supported by PRRINN-MNCH, Young Women’s Support Groups had positive effects on health-seeking behaviour. The benefits of these groups extended beyond health.
- To reach the least-supported young women, a strategy of ‘targeting within an age-specific target group’ is essential.