Welcome to M.A.R.S.!

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:

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:

A full report is available below.

PDFs of Annual Reports

Schedule M.A.R.S. in Your Classroom

Session Packages

M.A.R.S. offers two session packages to accommodate the needs of your students:

Mini-Package
This package consists of one 50 minute introductory session and four 60 - 90 minute sessions.

Introductory Session: Introduction to M.A.R.S. and Development of Group Values Agreement
Session I: Media and Social Influences on Sexual Behavior
Session II: Defining Sex, Identifying Risks, & Decision-Making
Session III: Talking about Sex - Communication Skills
Session IV: Healthy Relationships & Consent

Full Package
This package consists of one 50 minute introductory session and six 60 - 90 minute sessions.

Introductory Session: Introduction to M.A.R.S. and Development of Group Values Agreement
Session I: Media and Social Influences on Sexual Behavior
Session II: Defining Sex, Identifying Risks, & Decision-Making
Session III: Talking About Sex - Communication Skills
Session IV: Abstinence and Other Contraceptive Methods
Session V: Sexually Transmitted Infections
Session IV: Healthy Relationships & Consent

Due to the research and evaluation component of the M.A.R.S. Program, we must give scheduling preference to those wishing to schedule the Full Package, followed by those wishing to schedule the Mini-Package. Individual "one time" sessions will be given the least priority.

One Time Sessions

M.A.R.S. offers several "stand alone" sessions. These sessions have been conducted in college and high school classrooms and other community events.

M.A.R.S. Program Overview (20 min)

In this brief presentation we describe the components of the program; how and why the program came about. Participants learn about:

Media and Social Influences on Sexual Behavior (60 min)

In this presentation we discuss:

Contraception (60 min)

Condom Use (60 min)

STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) (60 min)