Institutionalizing Bi-Monthly Adolescent Health Governance: An Evaluation of Peer Educator and Master Trainer Networks in Rural Madhya Pradesh

Authors

Dr. Azhar Ali ORCID icon for Dr. Azhar Ali

DPM, National Health Mission Madhya Pradesh, Link Road No.3, Patrakar Colony, Bhopal (M.P.) (India)

Nishant Diwan

National Health Mission, Madhya Pradesh (India)

Saket Shukla MPH

Master of Labour Law & Personnel Management, National Health Mission, Madhya Pradesh (India)

Article Information

DOI: 10.51244/IJRSI.2026.1308000109

Subject Category: Public Health

Volume/Issue: 13/8 | Page No: 2246-2258

Publication Timeline

Submitted: 2026-08-24

Accepted: 2026-08-29

Published: 2026-09-07

Abstract

Adolescents aged 10–19 years account for roughly one-fifth of India's population, yet in several states their health needs remain poorly served [1,17]. Madhya Pradesh continues to report high rates of adolescent anaemia, early marriage, limited menstrual hygiene practices, and under-utilisation of mental health and reproductive health services [17,18]. Against this backdrop, the National Health Mission (NHM) Madhya Pradesh operationalised a structured bi-monthly contact system under the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) [1,2]. Village-level Saathiya peer educators convene sessions on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month, while Block-level Master Trainers provide supportive supervision and quality assurance.

Keywords

Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram; Saathiya peer educators; Master Trainer cadre; bi-monthly Saturday contact

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References

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