Perspectives and experiences of youth of sexual and reproductive health services in Lindelani Township.

Abstract

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is an essential part of life for every human being. Many countries have worked in solidarity to maintain barrier-free SRH services worldwide. However, young people continue to face many SRH challenges. Several initiatives have been implemented to reduce these challenges, but remains a range of prevalent issues relating to SRH services. Prioritizing young people’s health has been significant in many countries, and the goal is to provide comprehensive education and youth-friendly SRH services. Among the consequential SRH challenges that youth faces are the high rates of HIV and unintended pregnancies, which strain the country’s economy and further lead to premature death due to unsafe abortion. Adolescents and youth constitute a sizeable proportion of the world’s population, and they are more prone to experiencing SRH problems. Several studies have highlighted the essential need for SRH services directed at youth, yet the barriers continue to grow. There is a lack of information on the fundamental reasons leading to minimal SRH service use, leading to increased health problems. This study aims to explore the availability and accessibility of SRH services for youth by documenting their experiences. The study was conducted among youth in Lindelani Township who had their SRH services experiences from the health facility located in the area. The study’s overall goal was to explore the SRH services perspectives and experiences of young people in Lindelani Township. This study further examined SRH services available to young people, their expectations of SRH facilities, their experiences, and the barriers they face when they need to access SRH services. The study relied on a qualitative approach. For the study, semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 16 young people, of which eight were females, and eight were males aged between 18 and 30 years. Participants were aware of the importance of SRH, and each of them has had SRH issues which led to seeking services at a health facility. During their visit to the health facility, the participants experienced numerous challenges such as the shortage of contraceptives and medication and the negative attitudes of health providers. Some male participants complained that SRH services catered more for females, and they felt that STI and HIV testing, counselling, and treatment were the only services available to them. Participants expressed concerns about their poorly equipped health facility, lack of iv professionalism, and lack of information. These have been significant concerns hindering young people from returning to the facility since their needs are partially met. Providing young people with easy access to SRH services and comprehensive sexual education from an early age will reduce the increasing numbers of unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and HIV prevalence. Based on the findings, the study highlights the need for barrierfree SRH services, comprehensive information provision, and youth-friendly services.