M.A.R.S. For Educators
Addressing the Sexual Health Needs and Concerns of Young Men 
The Benton County Male Involvement Project: Male Advocates for Responsible Sexuality (M.A.R.S.) is a community-based, peer-to-peer, health promotion program that addresses the reproductive and sexual health education for males ages 13-25. The mission of M.A.R.S. is to reduce unwanted pregnancy, the incidence of sexually transmitted infections, and HIV/AIDS in Benton County by increasing male involvement in family planning and reproductive health.
M.A.R.S. is one of fifteen male involvement programs across the U.S. funded by a five-year grant (awarded in 2003) from the U.S. Office of Population Affairs.
Why a reproductive health program for males? Reproductive health funding and services have historically targeted only females. This focus has been successful in significantly reducing teen pregnancy and some sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates. However, the United States continues to have high rates of unintended pregnancies and STIs, including HIV/AIDS. While studies have shown that men have different attitudes and expectations than women do about healthcare, they still have reproductive health concerns and needs.
Statistics confirm these needs:
- Less than 1/4 of American males are sexually experienced by age 15, but by age 20, nine out of ten males have had intercourse. [Alan Guttmacher Institute, 2002]
- By their late teenage years, just over 2 in 10 sexually experienced men have had only one partner, and almost 3 in 10 have had intercourse. [Alan Guttmacher Institute, 2002]
- Forty-three percent (43%) of a sample of college males reported using condoms incorrectly. [Crosby et al, 2002]
- Over the past thirty years, on average only 2-4% of Title X family planning clinic patients have been males. [Department of Health and Human Services, 2003]
- Seventy-five percent (75%) of women want men to play a greater role in ensuring contraception is always used. [Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 1997]
Evaluation of M.A.R.S. Program
Ann Zukoski, DrPH, MPH is the M.A.R.S. Program Independent Evaluator. Dr. Zukoski meets regularly with M.A.R.S. Program staff and assisted in the development of all M.A.R.S. evaluation forms, and the tracking and monitoring system. Dr. Zukoski has conducted data analysis on the evaluation forms and prepares annual reports summarizing the program's effectiveness. Dr. Zukoski's evaluation study has been vital to helping M.A.R.S. accomplish its goals in the area of male reproductive and sexual health.
Each year, evaluation results show that M.A.R.S. has an important impact on the young men and women who participate in the program.
The most recent results (Year 4 - October 1, 2006 - September 30, 2007) indicate that M.A.R.S. classroom participants show a statistically significant increase in the following:
- Sexual health knowledge (STIs and birth control)
- Knowledge of free sexual health services available
- Attitudes about healthy relationships
- Attitudes about benefits of abstinence
- Self-efficacy communicating about abstinence, safe sex and healthy relationships
- Self-efficacy refusing sex
- Self-efficacy buying condoms
- Intentions to use condoms