Evaluation of 'Sphoorthi' adolescent empowerment project in Koppal district, Karnataka

The 'Sphoorthi' project, implemented by the Karnataka Health Promotion Trust (KHPT) from 2016 to 2018, was funded by the Azim Premji Philanthropic Initiatives (APPI) in the Koppal district, Karnataka. This study evaluates the impact of the Sphoorthi project on educational attainment, dietary diversity, and age at marriage of girls, using a cross-sectional design guided by the RE-AIM framework. A concurrent mixed-methods approach is employed, integrating quantitative and qualitative data collection. The quantitative data will be collected from 46 villages, each in the intervention and non-intervention areas, considering the number of women, using Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) sampling. From each intervention village, 15 females aged 19-23 years who participated in the Sphoorthi program will be randomly selected, yielding a total sample of 690. Additionally, in non-intervention villages, participants are identified through a segmented sampling strategy, selecting three eligible females per segment at fixed intervals from every village. In-depth interviews among girls, parents, program implementers, and service providers will be conducted to complement the quantitative data. Findings from this study will inform the development and implementation of evidence-based policies and programs aimed at improving adolescent health and empowerment in socio-culturally similar settings, thereby guiding government agencies, NGOs, and community-based organizations in designing more contextually relevant and effective interventions.