Sexual and reproductive health knowledge, attitudes and service uptake barriers among Zambian in-school adolescents

A mixed methods study

Datos Bibliográficos

ID19516201
AutoresEdith S Namukonda (0000-0003-0546-6873, Population Council, Lusaka, Zambia), Joseph G Rosen (0000-0003-4991-4033, Population Council, Lusaka, Zambia), Melody N Simataa (Population Council, Lusaka, Zambia), Mwelwa Chibuye (0000-0002-7609-9698, Population Council, Lusaka, Zambia), M T Mbizvo (0000-0001-8262-8640, Population Council, Lusaka, Zambia, autor de correspondencia), Chabu Kangale (Population Council, Lusaka, Zambia)
Año2021
Volumen21
Número4
Páginas463-479
Fecha de publicación2021-07-04
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaSex Education (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1468-1811 • E-ISSN: 1472-0825
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/14681811.2020.1832458
OpenAlexW3110453006
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas5
Referencias citadas19

The provision of comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) accords opportunities for scientifically accurate information about sexual and reproductive health (SRH). We used a mixed-methods study to characterise adolescent SRH knowledge, attitudes and service utilisation experiences in the context of CSE implementation in Zambia. In-school young people aged 12–24 years (N = 1,612) in the North-Western Province were randomly surveyed. A 29-item index was constructed to measure alignment of knowledge, attitudes and values (KAV) with the CSE curriculum. Logistic regression, stratifying by sexual debut status, modelled associations of past-year HIV counselling and testing and family planning service access, respectively, with CSE-KAV index scores. Focus group discussions further explored perceptions of and experiences accessing SRH services. Despite moderate SRH knowledge and acceptability of SRH services, fewer than half of sexually experienced young people reported accessing SRH services. Among sexually experienced youth, neither HIV testing nor family planning service utilisation in the previous year were associated with higher CSE-KAV index scores. Salient barriers to SRH service uptake included limited perceived benefits, unsupportive household and community environments, and negative interactions with health providers. To increase accessibility and uptake of youth SRH services, linking school-based CSE to SRH services is recommended

Curriculum · Environmental health · Family medicine · Focus group · Geography · Human sexuality · Logistic regression · Pedagogy · Political science · Population · Reproductive health · Self-rated health · Sociology · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Psychology · Gerontology