Factors Affecting Access To and Utilisation of Reproductive Health Services Among Adolescents in Lusaka District: Case Study of Kamanga CompoundBarbara Nkonde-Bwalya
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Date
2016
Authors
Nkonde-Bwalya, Barbara
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Sexual and reproductive health is part of physical and emotional well-being of all human beings.
Adolescents globally have unique sexual and reproductive health needs and accompanying
vulnerabilities. Many adolescents face sexual health risks of early sexual debut, sexually
transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, unplanned pregnancies and illegal abortions.
The general objective of the study was to identify factors affecting access to and utilisation of
reproductive health services among adolescents in Lusaka District. Specific objectives were:
1. To assess gender variations in adolescents’ knowledge and utilisation of reproductive
health services.
2. To find out factors affecting access to and utilisation of reproductive health services.
3. To identify measures to improve access to and utilisation of reproductive health services
among adolescents.
The study sample comprised 200 respondents. Data collection was done by carrying out
structured face-to-face interviews with 180 adolescents, interview guides were used to collect
data from 3 focus group discussions comprising 6 adolescents each and 2 key informants (health
service providers). Quantifiable data were coded and analysed using SPSS to generate frequency
tables and percentages, whereas qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis.
This study has established that there are gender gaps in knowledge and utilisation of RHS among
the adolescents in Kamanga Compound. For instance, the study discovered that more girls than
boys were aware of specific types of RHS including family planning methods. It was discovered
that more (23.9%) male than female (21.7%) had utilised family planning methods. The findings
further revealed that more (26.4%) female than male, (25.3%) adolescents had received RHS. At
the same time, the study noted that dispite the gender gaps, the level of access and utilisation of
RHS among adolescents was low for both sexes. Reasons for low utilisation of RHS included
shortage of health services providers, and lack of adolescent-friendly services, adolescents’
preference for service providers of the same sex, age difference between adolescents and the
service providers, distance to the health facility and lack of transport; lack of specific consulting
rooms for adolescents and non-confidential condom outlets, lack of services like lifebuoy soap at
v
Chelstone Clinic for male adolescents undergoing male circumcision, and judgmental attitude
among health providers.
Drawing from the lifespan theoretical concepts, the study concluded that there existed a service
gap in provision of adolescent RHS. Adolescents continued to be socially excluded from
accessing and utilising RHS. The study therefore, recommended for scaling up of adolescentfriendly
services; use of brochures and youth magazines to increase awareness of available
services for adolescents and sensitisation of health providers, parents/ guardians, communities
and key stakeholders about RHS for adolescents; Use mobile service provision within the
Community by the Ministry of Health in order to address the problem of distance faced by
adolescents, regular training and in-servicing of health providers to effectively serve adolescents
with emphasis on adolescents’ rights to confidential and comprehensive RHS. This study further
recommended for a study on a similar topic to be carried out on a larger scale so that the results
could be generalised to the rest of the country.
Description
Keywords
reventive health services for teenagers. , Sex instruction for teenagers. , Adolescent Health Services. , Pregnancy in Adolescence--prevention & control. , Sexually Transmitted Diseases--prevention & control.