Qualitative Study of Street Children’s Awareness, Perceptions, Needs and Barriers in Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health in Lusaka District, Zambia

Abstract

Background: Sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents are fundamental for the prevention and control of sexual and reproductive health problems. The sexual and reproductive health services play a critical role in enhancement of adolescent’s health generally. However, children living on the streets are ill-placed to draw benefit from such services. The main purpose of this study was to assess streets children’s awareness, perceptions, needs and barriers in accessing sexual and reproductive health in Lusaka district. Methods: A qualitative approach was adopted for this study. Snow ball sampling was used to identify and collect data from a total of 61 children living on the streets in Lusaka Central Business District. Instruments for data collection consisted of interview schedules used to collect data from children living on the streets as well as Key informant interviews with adolescent health focal point persons from health facilities. All data collection instruments were pre-tested. Data analysis was done using categorization. Results: A total of 61 participants were interviewed among them males constituting (70.49 per cent) per cent while females constituted (29.51 per cent). The majority (59.01per cent) reported that they were not aware of what sexual and reproductive health was. A majority (81.96 per cent) of respondents were aware of at least more than one sexual and reproductive health service with condoms being reported by (68.95 per cent) of respondents. The study also found that the majority (83.6 per cent) of respondents reported awareness on where to access sexual and reproductive health services. The study also showed that the majority (60.65 per cent) reported as perceiving sexual and reproductive health as important to them. Additionally, (68.85 per cent) of respondents reported that condoms are the sexual and reproductive health service they needed. The study showed that (77.04 per cent) of respondents were sexually active and out of ...