Gender Differential in Access to and Utilisation of Reproductive Health Services among Adolescents in Lusaka

Abstract

Adolescent sexuality and reproductive health has become a global concern in the recent past. Many adolescents face sexual health risks of early sexual debut like sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, unplanned pregnancies and illegal abortions. The present study was undertaken to examine gender differential in access to and utilization of reproductive health services among adolescents in Lusaka, Zambia. Data was collected by carrying out structured face-to-face interviews with 180 adolescents. Interview guides were used to collect data from 3 focus group discussions comprising 6 adolescents each and 2 key informants (health service providers). This study has established that there are gender gaps in knowledge and utilisation of RHS among the adolescents. The study discovered that more girls than boys were aware of specific types of RHS including family planning methods. It was further discovered that more (23.9%) males than females (21.7%) had utilised family planning methods. The findings further revealed that more (26.4%) female than male (25.3%) adolescents had received RHS. At the same time, the study noted that despite the gender gaps, the level of access and utilisation of RHS among adolescents was low for both sexes. Reasons for low utilisation of RHS included shortage of health services providers, and lack of adolescent-friendly services, adolescents’ preference for service providers of the same sex, age difference between adolescents and the service providers, and distance to the health facility. The study recommended scaling up of adolescent-friendly services; use of brochures and youth magazines to increase awareness of available services for adolescents and sensitisation of health providers, parents, guardians, communities and key stakeholders about RHS for adolescents.