YHP Bulgaria

Use a maximum of two downloads here

Location

National

Timing

2020 – 2023 (Phase II)

The local context

Youth smoking is a major issue in Bulgaria, particularly among girls. According to the World Health Organization's latest Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) survey, 38% of girls and 26% of boys who are 15 years old have smoked in the last 30 days, both of which have increased since the previous survey.1

Bulgaria also has the highest percentage of 11 year old smokers in the survey, with 9% of girls and 8% of boys smoking.2

Our objectives

To directly reach 50,000 young people and 20,000 educators with information about the impact of tobacco smoking on health and the promotion of healthy behaviours.

In addition, the programme aimed to run digital awareness campaigns to reach over 1 million people.

Our programme

This Phase II programme builds on the success of the Healthy Eating, Active Living (HEAL) pilot project, which encouraged schools to adopt more nutritious school meals, increased the availability of healthy snacks such as fresh fruit, and increased levels of physical activity.

The programme is based on research of tobacco attitudes among children and young people which has informed the creation of social media content and a website, targeting youth, in which 'strong' and 'healthy' behaviours are portrayed as the next 'cool kids on the block', backed by influencers, role models, and followers.

This is supported by teacher training modules developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, and regional educational institutions in Bulgaria, which have been incorporated into the educational programme.

The module includes:

- detailed teaching methodology

- a 40-minute, innovative lecture designed specifically for the national school network

- a film featuring six Bulgarian athletes aged 14 to 18 who are at the top of world rankings in their respective disciplines. The purpose of the film is to inspire young people to discover their potential, provide them with meaningful role models, and persuade them that anything is possible when you are healthy, while simultaneously incorporating information about the dangers of tobacco use.

Our achievements

To year end 2023, YHP Bulgaria has directly reached over 46,000 young people and indirectly 600,000 young people through wider media activities. 

Over 11,000 Peer Educators have been trained, and nearly 36,000 health professionals and other adults in the community, on risk behavious and adolecsent health.

Our partners

Association Parents encourage parents to be the best parents they can be, and support children to become the best adults they can become.

 

 

 

Teach For Bulgaria recruits, trains, and develops capable and motivated professionals who are committed to working long-term for positive change in education in Bulgaria.

The programme is supported by AstraZeneca volunteers who provide mentoring support as well as assisting staff in delivering the programme and helping with communications.

 

References:

World Health Organization's 'Spotlight on adolescent health and well-being':

1. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/332104/9789289055017-eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y [Page 98]

2. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/332104/9789289055017-eng.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y [Page 97]