Abstract
Nearly half of the world’s population comprise youths. However, addressing their Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) remains a challenge. Globally countries are mandated to continually provide Youth Friendly Sexual and Reproductive Health services (YFSRHs) to the youth. The objective of this study was to assess and describe youth’s perspectives on a sustainable model for the provision of YFSRHs in Kenya. Data was collected among 400 youths aged 18 - 24 years in Embu and Kirinyaga counties, Kenya. A structured questionnaire was utilized as the data collection tool. Collected data was analyzed using SAS statistical software version 9.4. Statistical threshold of P ≤ 0.05 was used. Overall the mean age of the study participants was ±standard deviation (SD) 21.2 ± 1.86 years. Majority of the participants’ perspective on the health care system sustainability was that the waiting time at the facility should be less than an hour, accessible geographically (less than a kilometre), affordable (≤20 Ksh.), and convenient working hours (weekday and weekends ratio 1:1). Advocacy was on health care provider’s attributes of politeness, welcoming, confidential and non-judgmental. The most preferred locations for the youth friendly centres by the participants were community and school based locations. Similarly, parental and community support was reported to highly contribute to sustained utilization and provision of the YFSRHs (P < 0.001). Unlike popular belief, 99.8% did not see the need for recreational facilities at the youth centres to ensure sustainability of the model. To ensure a sustainable model for the provision of YFSRHs, there is need for a multi-sectoral and stakeholder involvement that is; youth, health care system structure, health care service providers, parents and community. Further research is needed on parents and health care service provider’s perspectives on how to sustain the provision of YFSRH services.
Highlights
The youth defined as those aged 15 - 24 years [1], comprise over 1.8 billion of the world’s population with 90% living in developing countries [1]
The county referral hospital does not have a Youth Friendly Centre (YFC) and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services are offered to the youth using the integrated approach
These findings are in agreement with those reported in a study conducted in Kenya which reported that for Youth Friendly Sexual and Reproductive Health services (YFSRHs) services to be acceptable to this sub-population, they should be offered at the right time, in the right place, at the right fee and in the right manner [12]
Summary
The youth defined as those aged 15 - 24 years [1], comprise over 1.8 billion of the world’s population with 90% living in developing countries [1]. In Kenya a youth is defined as a person in the age bracket of 15 - 35 years [2]. Youth experience adolescence as a critical transitional period from childhood to adulthood where they begin to express and experiment their sexuality [3]. Adolescence is a stage where at an individual level youth become more vulnerable to negative SRH problems such as having sex with multiple partners, substance abuse, having low knowledge on Sexually Transmitted Infection (STIs), lack negotiating skills for safe sex; and having poor health-seeking behavior [4].
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