scholarly journals A Systematic Review of Sexual and Reproductive Health Knowledge, Experiences and Access to Services among Refugee, Migrant and Displaced Girls and Young Women in Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 1583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olena Ivanova ◽  
Masna Rai ◽  
Elizabeth Kemigisha
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Forced Migration ◽  
Population Group ◽  
Contraception Use ◽  
Stis And Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

Adolescent girls and young women are an overlooked group within conflict- or disaster-affected populations, and their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs are often neglected. Existing evidence shows that forced migration and human mobility make girls and women more vulnerable to poor SRH outcomes such as high risk sexual behaviors, lack of contraception use, STIs and HIV/AIDS. We performed a systematic literature review to explore knowledge, experiences and access to SRH services in this population group across the African continent. Two databases (PubMed and Web of Science) were searched and from 896 identified publications, 15 peer-reviewed articles published in English met the inclusion criteria for this review. These consisted of eight applied qualitative, five quantitative and two mixed-method study designs. The quality of the studies was evaluated by the mixed-methods appraisal tool (MMAT) using scores in percentages (0–100%). Available evidence indicates that knowledge of young women and girls regarding contraceptive methods, STIs and HIV/AIDS are limited. This population group often experiences gender-based and sexual violence and abuse. The access and availability of SRH services are often limited due to distances, costs and stigma. This review demonstrates that there is still a dearth of peer-reviewed literature on SRH related aspects among refugee, migrant and displaced girls and young women in Africa. The data disaggregation by sex and age should be emphasized for future research in this field.

scholarly journals Exploring contraception myths and misconceptions among young men and women in Kwale County, Kenya

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson Mwaisaka ◽  
Lianne Gonsalves ◽  
Mary Thiongo ◽  
Michael Waithaka ◽  
Hellen Sidha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Modern Contraceptive ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Future Fertility ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Prevention Methods

Abstract Background: Myths and misconceptions around modern contraceptives have been associated with low contraceptive uptake. Nearly all the research on the link between contraceptives’ misconceptions and low contraceptive prevalence comes mostly from women with little focus on men. This qualitative study therefore sought to explore and understand both young men’s and young women’s knowledge of modern contraception and to identify key concerns regarding modern pregnancy prevention methods.Methods: We used focus group discussions (FGD) with vignette and writing activities to explore key myths and misconceptions around the use of contraceptives. Six FGDs (three for young men and three for young women) were conducted with a total of 28 young women and 30 young men from Kwale County, Kenya. We included 10 discussants aged 18-24 per FGD, one FGD had 8 participants.Results: Both men and women participants reported basic awareness of contraceptives. A mixture of biological and social misconceptions around contraception were discussed, they included jeopardizing future fertility, prolonged menstrual bleeding, problems conceiving, birth defects, promiscuity, against religion and perceived to be un-African including denying couples their sexual freedom. Compared to female respondents in the study, young men appeared to be strong believers of the perceived socio-cultural effects of contraceptives. Results are presented under three key themes namely (i) Awareness of contraception (ii) Myths and misconceptions around contraception and (iii) Males’ contraceptive narratives. Conclusions: This study revealed a low level of contraceptive knowledge among young men and women in Kwale County, Kenya. Most respondents reported contraceptive fears and misconceptions resulting from critical gaps in Sexual and Reproductive Health knowledge. Improved sexual and reproductive health (SRH) literacy to address contraceptives’ fears through appropriate and gender specific interventions to reach out to young men and women with factual SRH information may contribute to increased uptake of SRH services including modern contraceptive methods.

scholarly journals Exploring contraception myths and misconceptions among young men and women in Kwale County, Kenya

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson Mwaisaka ◽  
Lianne Gonsalves ◽  
Mary Thiongo ◽  
Michael Waithaka ◽  
Hellen Sidha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Modern Contraceptive ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Future Fertility ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Prevention Methods

Abstract Background: Myths and misconceptions around modern contraceptives have been associated with low contraceptive uptake. Nearly all the research on the link between contraceptives’ misconceptions and low contraceptive prevalence comes mostly from women with little focus on men. This qualitative study therefore sought to explore and understand both young men’s and young women’s knowledge of modern contraception and to identify key concerns regarding modern pregnancy prevention methods.Methods: We used focus group discussions (FGD) with vignette and writing activities to explore key myths and misconceptions around the use of contraceptives. Six FGDs (three for young men and three for young women) were conducted with a total of 28 young women and 30 young men from Kwale County, Kenya. We included 10 discussants aged 18-24 per FGD, one FGD had 8 participants.Results: Both men and women participants reported basic awareness of contraceptives. A mixture of biological and social misconceptions around contraception were discussed, they included jeopardizing future fertility, prolonged menstrual bleeding, problems conceiving, birth defects, promiscuity, against religion and perceived to be un-African including denying couples their sexual freedom. Compared to female respondents in the study, young men appeared to be strong believers of the perceived socio-cultural effects of contraceptives. Results are presented under three key themes namely (i) Awareness of contraception (ii) Myths and misconceptions around contraception and (iii) Males’ contraceptive narratives. Conclusions : This study revealed a low level of contraceptive knowledge among young men and women in Kwale County, Kenya. Most respondents reported contraceptive fears and misconceptions resulting from critical gaps in Sexual and Reproductive Health knowledge. Improved sexual and reproductive health (SRH) literacy to address contraceptives’ fears through appropriate and gender specific interventions to reach out to young men and women with factual SRH information may contribute to increased uptake of SRH services including modern contraceptive methods.

scholarly journals Adolescents Discussing Sexual Behaviors With Key Influencing Audiences

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Nalukwago ◽  
Rik Crutzen ◽  
Bart van den Borne ◽  
Paul Mukisa Bukuluki ◽  
Leonard Bufumbo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Teenage Pregnancy ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Concurrent Partnerships ◽  
Contraception Use ◽  
Multiple Concurrent Partnerships

There is an increasing concern on early initiation of sexual activity among adolescents, increasing sexually transmitted infections, and teenage pregnancy in Uganda. Adolescents perceptions of these sexual behaviors might be the result of discussing sexual and reproductive health issues with key influencing audiences. This study qualitatively explored the effect of sexuality discussions with key influencing audiences by means of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with adolescents (N=83). Findings indicate that adolescence stage comes with changes of intense sexual desires, often presumed difficult to control thus leading adolescents to engage in sexual activities. Adolescents indicated that they were aware of the sexual behaviors such as condom use, contraception use, and multiple concurrent partnerships, but intertwined with persistent myths and misconceptions. Although discussing sexuality issues with someone was found to be instrumental, adolescent highlighted challenges that hinder discussion with key influencers. Challenges include, parents lack of time to talk to their children; some religious affiliations perceived to discourage use of contraception; limited skills of community health workers to address adolescent information needs; meetings held in groups not followed up with age-focused or one-on-one discussions; negative health workers’ attitudes and use of technical language; and peer pressure. These findings suggest the need to provide adequate and updated information to clear any misconceptions and strengthening of key influencers’ communication skills to gain confidence in addressing adolescent sexual and reproductive health needs. 

scholarly journals Young people’s knowledge, attitude, and behaviour on STI/HIV/AIDS in the context of Nepal: A systematic review

1970 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-391 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Upreti ◽  
P Regmi ◽  
P Pant ◽  
P Simkhada
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Young People ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual Behaviour ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Human Immune Deficiency Virus ◽  
Major Health Problem ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Stis And Hiv ◽  
Hiv Aids

Background: Sexual and reproductive health of young people has become a major health problem in recent decades. Recent and rapidly increasing Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) rates show an urgent need for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV prevention interventions in Nepal. Objectives: This paper attempts to assess knowledge, attitude and behaviour on STIs/HIV/AIDS in the context of young peoples of Nepal. Materials and methods: A systematic review based on the available literature was carried out including both qualitative and quantitative studies. Results: Our findings indicate that the overall knowledge regarding STIs and HIV/AIDS is high although the level of knowledge seems to differ according to education, gender, and area of residence. Knowledge about condoms was also very high but practice of correct and consistent use in premarital and extramarital sexual relations with non-regular partners seems to be lower. The overall sexual behaviour among young people is unsafe. Conclusion: This suggests that young people's sexual and reproductive health issues need to be further addressed and explored in order to promote safer and responsible sexual behaviour. Key words: Attitude; Behaviour; HIV/AIDS; Knowledge; Nepal; STIs; Systematic Review; Young people DOI: 10.3126/kumj.v7i4.2759 Kathmandu University Medical Journal (2009) Vol.7, No.4 Issue 28, 383-391

scholarly journals Assessment of Sexual and Reproductive Health Knowledge of Adolescents in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 15-23
Author(s):  
GN Rimamnunra ◽  
TT Bitto ◽  
OO Areo ◽  
DE Ukpabi ◽  
IA Bako
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
School Teacher ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Good Knowledge ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Poor Knowledge

In Nigeria, National data indicates that the age group 15 to 24 years contributes the highest (40%) to all reported new cases of HIV and not much is been done to understand and address adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) concerns. New evidences are required to design cost effective programs on ASRH. This study was aimed at assessing in-school adolescents' knowledge on SRH and associated factors. The study was a cross sectional Study conducted among 250 adolescents in secondary schools in Makurdi selected through multi-stage sampling technique. Pretested, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Knowledge was assessed via an 18-point knowledge scale and the data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21 software. The mean age of the respondents was 15.15±1.82 years. More than half of the respondents had good knowledge of ASRH (56.8%) while 43.2% had poor knowledge. The main sources of information on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) were Parents (90.8%), School Teacher (82.4%), Friends (35.2%) and Social Media (34.4%). Respondents in the senior classes were more knowledgeable about SRH while age and having a girl/boyfriend affected their knowledge. In conclusion, on the adolescents' knowledge on ASRH, more than half of them had good knowledge, however more measures need to be put in place to reach the adolescent population with poor knowledge which will ultimately help to prevent risky sexual behaviors.

scholarly journals A Cross-Sectional Quantitative Study on Sexual and Reproductive Health Knowledge and Access to Services of Arab and Kurdish Syrian Refugee Young Women Living in an Urban Setting in Lebanon

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (18) ◽  
pp. 9586
Author(s):  
Rayan Korri ◽  
Guenter Froeschl ◽  
Olena Ivanova
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Urban Setting ◽  
Access To Services ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Syrian Refugee

Since data on the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of young refugee women living in urban settings in Lebanon are particularly scarce, we aim through this exploratory study to assess the SRH knowledge and access to services of Arab and Kurdish Syrian refugee young women living in Bourj Hammoud. From January to March 2020, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 297 Syrian Arab and Kurdish participants and aged 18–30 years old. It was found that participants coming from Syrian urban areas or who completed an education above secondary level have higher overall knowledge on SRH issues. Only a total of 148 out of the 297 participants (49.8%) knew a health facility in Bourj Hammoud that provides SRH services and among them 36.4% did not know which type of services are available there. The Syrian refugee young women’s access to SRH services is inadequate due to different obstacles. The overall knowledge level on different SRH topics is limited. The context of multiple crises in Lebanon should be taken into consideration when delivering future SRH services.

Sexual and Reproductive Health in China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianling Zhou ◽  
Chu-Yao Jin ◽  
Hai-Jun Wang
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual Intercourse ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual Transmission ◽  
Induced Abortion ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
The Disabled ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
Contraceptive Practice ◽  
Hiv Aids

Databases of PubMed, Scopus, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were used to search relevant articles on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in China published from 2005 to the present (2021), based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Operational Framework on Sexual Health and Its Linkages to Reproductive Health. The following results were found. (a) SRH education and information among the Chinese were insufficient, in particular regarding contraception, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Adolescents, migrants, and the rural population had insufficient knowledge of SRH. (b) Fertility care services were mainly available in large cities, in urban areas, and for married couples. Services targeted for rural-to-urban migrants, rural residents, and the disabled and elderly are needed. (c) A total of 22.4% of youths aged 15–24 had premarital sexual intercourse, and the age of first sexual intercourse was decreasing. Risky sexual behaviors included multiple partners, casual and commercial sex, and having sex after drinking alcohol. (d) The contraceptive practice rate of women aged 15–49 in China was higher than the world’s corresponding figure. However, contraceptive use among young people was low (only 32.3% among unmarried women). (e) Unmarried pregnancy induced by low contraceptive practice is a critical issue in China. (f) Induced abortion was the major consequence of unmarried pregnancy. The rate of induced abortion among the general population in 2016 was 28.13‰, and the rate among unmarried women was increasing annually. (g) There were 958,000 HIV-infected cases in China as of October 2019. Sexual transmission was the major transmission route of HIV-AIDS. More men than women were infected. Men having sex with men comprised the high-risk group of sexual transmission of HIV-AIDS. (h) Gender-based violence including intimate partner violence (IPV), sexual violence, sexual coercion, and child sexual abuse (CSA) might be underreported in China, since many victims were afraid to seek help as well as due to limited services. Legal and regulatory measures should therefore be taken to prevent and reduce gender-based violence. For future perspectives of SRH in China, it is important to pay attention to SRH education and services. An up-to-date national survey on SRH is needed to reflect the current situation and to capture changes over the past decade. Most of the current research has been conducted among adolescents, and more studies are needed among other groups, such as the disabled, the elderly, and homosexual populations.

Sexual and Reproductive Health knowledge of Postgraduate Students at the University of Cape Town, in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bupe Mwamba ◽  
Pat Mayers ◽  
Jawaya Shea
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Pap Smear ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Breast Examination ◽  
The University

Abstract BackgroundGlobally and in South Africa, university students’ knowledge of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is low. This study was conducted in response to the dearth of information about the sexual and reproductive health knowledge of postgraduate students. Research conducted to explore the SRH knowledge of undergraduate students suggests that the level of SRH knowledge among undergraduate students is low. The aim of this study was to determine the SRH knowledge of postgraduate students with regards to contraceptives, sexually transmitted illnesses (STI), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Pap smear and clinical breast examination at University of Cape Town (UCT), in South Africa. MethodA cross sectional survey design was utilized, using an adapted and pretested online questionnaire. All postgraduate students enrolled in the first semester of 2017 (9444) were invited to anonymously complete the online survey.ResultsFour hundred and six (406) students completed the online survey, of whom 293 were female and 107 males. The age range of respondents was between 18 years and 57 years, with the median age for both male and female respondents being 24 years. Six survey responses were excluded from the statistical analysis because of incomplete data. Post graduate students from the African continent comprised 90.75% of the respondents. Most respondents were white (51.50%) from both Africa and abroad. The results indicated that respondents knew about sexually transmitted infections, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) & acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Female respondents were more aware of breast examination, and the role of Papanicolaou smear (Pap smear) in SRH. Almost half of the respondents in this study (49%) stated that they had no need for more information about contraceptives. Lecturers were identified as one of the top five sources of information, which suggests that the university environment provides students with important SRH-related information.ConclusionMost postgraduate students had knowledge of sexual and reproductive health with regards to contraception, Pap smear, clinical breast examination, STIs, HIV and AIDS. Further research should focus on the relationship between SRH knowledge and usage among this population. As university lecturers were identified as an important source of information across faculties, the University should consider the incorporation of SRH education in the broader curriculum and as an integral component of student health services.

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