APROFE provides education regarding healthy behaviors which allow for informed decisions while responsibly practicing one’s sexuality, generating change through medical and information services in 16 coastal and mountainous Ecuadorian cities. The majority of their healthcare centers offer laboratory services, preventative testing, colposcopy, sonograms, and vaccinations for children and adults.
The APROFE website provides a virtual consultation service called “APROFE Responds,” which provides information regarding sexuality for the general public. With a username and password clients can access to clinical lab results through this website.
APROFE also maintains a library in Guayaquil with books, articles and magazines for the community addressing sexual and reproductive health. These resources can be accessed by professionals, students, and the public in general. On average, one thousand people visit the library in a year.
Among APROFE’s most innovative programs include the following:
Mobile APROFE: Provides reproductive health services (family planning consults, gynecology, prenatal care, pap smears) in marginalized urban neighborhoods in the city of Guayaquil as well as in rural populations. Medical services are accompanied by educational discussions regarding sexual and reproductive health. Educational campaigns in support of dental hygiene are also conducted in which dentistry services are offered. Mobile APROFE also maintains a boat with which to visit various islands in the province of Guayas, providing medical services.
Community Center: Located in a western suburb of the city of Guayaquil, the center provides sexual and reproductive health trainings, as well as promotes the rights of women and of the family.
APROFE Youth: Since 1991 APROFE has maintained a Center for Integrated Care (CASSA) for youth and adolescents of both sexes between the ages of 12 and 19. These youth are provided with medical, psychological and educational attention. A group of adolescents has been capacitated to become junior promoters; they are trained to provide their peers with information regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights through the use of workshops, group conversations, movie-discussions, open houses, and festivals. In addition, APROFE Youth operates “Friend Line;” a free phone line maintained by professionals who respond directly and confidentially to any question regarding adolescence, sexuality and decision-making.
Conferences and Seminars: APROFE informs and educates the general public regarding healthy, responsible sexuality. Seminars and conferences are provided to groups who request them or where a need for them has been identified. They are facilitated by specialized professionals with audiovisual and material support.
All services are offered at discounted prices and rely upon external financing, cash and in-kind donations from Ecuadorian business and comercial companies.
