Strategy
In addition to the primary target audience, the contractors decided to address a secondary audience as well: male sexual partners between the ages of 18 and 24. The key behavioral objectives developed to support the goal of reducing the number of unintended pregnancies throughout the region included that after the campaign's completion: 1) target audience members will use an effective form of contraception every time they have sex; 2) target audience members will seek information on their birth control options; 3) target audience members will initiate a discussion with their sexual partners regarding the use of birth control; and 4) male partners will use condoms every time they have sex. Attainment of the objectives were to be assessed through the detection of statistically significant increases in responses between a pre-campaign and post-campaign survey.
Because the research showed that friends were the group most often consulted about sexual issues, peers would model the desired behaviors and help establish social norms. The strategy also included getting target audience members to think about what it would mean for them to become parents at this point in their lives. The campaign would provide basic information about birth control options and where to go for more assistance. Other secondary messages included the notions that men should be responsible and informed about contraception and that these issues should be discussed with one's sexual partners.