Young people’s perceptions of access to sexual and reproductive health services in Manzini, Eswatini: a qualitative study

Simangele Fakudze, Rose. M. Mmusi-Phetoe

Abstract

Despite the global agreements on adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), access to and utilisation of these services among the young people including adolescents remain unsatisfactory in low- and middle-income countries including eSwatini. This study aimed to explore and describe young people’s aged 10-24 perceptions of accessing SRHR services. Convenience purposive sampling was used to recruit fourteen (14) participants who were seeking SRHR services at Family Life Association of Swaziland clinic in Manzini. Semi-structured interviews were used through face-to-face in-depth and audiotaped interviews, in October 2017. Colaizzi’s seven steps of data analysis was used. Barriers to service access include low health literacy, stigma, privacy and confidentiality. Enablers of utilisation of the services were mostly structural in nature which included community outreaches and health education. Providing young people with SRHR information and services through the existing healthcare system, presents an opportunity that should be further optimised.

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References

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