ACCESS TO SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS INFORMATION AMONG THE YOUTH- A CASE OF GUCHA SOUTH DISTRICT, KISII COUNTY-KENYA
Author(s)
Mogere DM1, Obutu CJ2
1Great Lakes University of Kisumu, Kisumu, Kenya, 2Ministry of Health, Kisii, Kenya
Presentation Documents
OBJECTIVES: Access to sexual reproductive health information is a right and a means to survival, development and protection. It provides opportunity for the youth to be informed, empowered and educated, thus, enhancing their ability to make informed decisions and choices on sexual reproductive health related matters. The objective of this study was to investigate sources of sexual reproductive health rights information accessible to the youth. METHODS: Household baseline survey was carried out in June 2012 where 10 sub locations randomly selected were surveyed. A structured questionnaire was used to collect reproductive health rights information from 1347 youths between 12-23 years in the households of whom 53% were females. Consent to administer the tool to the minors was sought from the parents and guardians. Statistical Package for Social Scientist (SPSS) computer program was used to analyze data. RESULTS: The study showed that 28% (377/1347) of the youth received sexual reproductive health right information from youth support (peer) groups; however, only 2% (27/1347) belonged to youth support groups. Thirty two percent (431/1347) received the information in audio form e.g. TVor Radio, 30% (404/1347) by talking amongst themselves and 9.8% (132/1347) from group discussions. Only 0.2 % (3/1347) received information from a health facility. CONCLUSIONS: There is sufficient evidence from other related surveys that a significant proportion of the youth engage in sexual activities while in their tender years unaware of the risks involved. The study recommends that there is need to make sexual reproductive health information readily accessible in the health facilities, schools, and colleges, universities, churches, mosques and youth support groups and in youth friendly formats that can be easily read and understood by all the youth. This will enhance their ability to make informed decisions and choices on sexual reproductive health related matters.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2014-05, ISPOR 2014, Palais des Congres de Montreal
Value in Health, Vol. 17, No. 3 (May 2014)
Code
PHP71
Topic
Real World Data & Information Systems
Topic Subcategory
Health & Insurance Records Systems
Disease
Multiple Diseases