Rapid Assessment of Adolescents’ Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs: a Case Study of Samia Sub-county, Busia County

Abstract

Adolescence is a time of great change for young people when physical changes are happening at an accelerated rate. “Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) information and services is vital for sexually active adolescents; yet, their SRH care needs are often unmet”. With earlier initiation of sexual intercourse than was the case several decades ago, there is need to understand the wide range of adolescents’ SRH needs. This study was a rapid assessment that used Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) to assess the Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) needs of adolescents and STIs. The results of the study showed that male adolescents’ knowledge of important aspects of SRH was inadequate. Sexual activity was high among the respondents with 57.9 percent reporting having engaged in sexual intercourse. Males reported highest sexual activity (60 percent) compared to their female counterparts (40 percent). The average age at first sex was 15.2 years. Males were at higher risks of STIs and unwanted pregnancy for their partners. About 12 percent and 20 percent cases of pregnancy and STIs were reported in the study area. Based on these results, it was concluded that the adolescents’ greatest and most felt need was information and knowledge of SRH. The study recommended that future programmes should focus more on addressing information needs especially among male respondents. The study also recommended the use of these results in the M&E practice as a baseline against which SRH interventions could be monitored and evaluated.