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
A full report is available below.
PDFs of Annual Reports
- Year 2 (October 1, 2004 - September 30, 2006)
- Year 3 (October 1, 2005 - September 30, 2006)
- Year 4 (October 1, 2006 - September 30, 2007)
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:
- free, confidential one-on-one education appointments available to males age 13-25;
- the M.A.R.S. Female Referral Program;
- the classroom curriculum available.
Media and Social Influences on Sexual Behavior (60 min)
In this presentation we discuss:
- M.A.R.S. Program overview
- How media impacts society and young people's perception of gender and gender roles
- Society's concept of masculinity and femininity over the past 50 years and today
Contraception (60 min)
- M.A.R.S. Program overview
- Description of contraceptive (birth control) methods available
- Proper condom use
- Common contraception myths
Condom Use (60 min)
- M.A.R.S. Program overview
- Common condom myths
- Proper condom use
- How to talk about sexual history with your partner
- How to talk about using a condom with your partner
STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) (60 min)
- M.A.R.S. Program Overview
- Description of STIs and route of transmission
- Proper condom use
- STI and condom myths
- What to do if you think you may have an STI