Through content analysis, its staff reviews how the media are addressing the needs of youth, meets with media representatives to discuss what they observed, and suggests ways in which distorted images and statements can be corrected. The association also develops fact sheets to help the media create accurate reproductive health messages. Pretesting messages is essential . Effective social marketing messages promoting behavior change should address a carefully-targeted objective and be culturally relevant, credible and practical. Pretesting messages is essential in a field that is as sensitive as youth adult reproductive health and where messages transmitted by the mass media instantaneously reach large numbers of people.
Youth advocates pretest materials with young people as well as key stakeholders, including parents.
Participants approved of the drama, considering it to be believable, informative and suitable for all ages. The test allowed researchers to measure message comprehension, credibility and likelihood of behavior change. Adjustments were then made prior to the launch of the campaign, which contributed to its success. Supportive networking and training activities need to be carried out throughout the life of the project . Networks among and between relevant policymakers, media professionals, health service providers, counselors and peer educators are essential in helping to shape young people's reproductive health social norms.