Adolescents knowledge and perception of sexual and reproductive health and services : a study from Nepal
Year: 2016
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Every fifth person in the world i.e. around 20% of global population is adolescents and slightly more than this, in Nepal, adolescents comprise of 24 percent.Adolescents in developing countries including Nepal often face limited access to health information and services.Different factors like poverty, gender inequality, social economic status, social norms and tradition play crucial role in determining adolescent's access to sexual and reproductive health knowledge and available sexual and reproductive health services.This study aims to examine the knowledge of adolescent on sexual and reproductive health and also understand their perception towards available sexual and reproductive health services.The study was conducted in Kapilvastu and Arghakhanchi districts of Nepal.It used qualitative methodology and purposive sampling technique.In-depth interviews were conducted using the semi structured format.Total 20 participants were interviewed, 10 from each district where half of the respondents were female.The study found out that adolescents from both districts were aware about some of the common Sexual and Reproductive Health problems like HIV/AIDS, Syphilis and Gonorrhea and some issues like early marriage, teenage pregnancy and gender inequality were also mentioned.Course books, mass media (TV and Radios) and peers were the source of information.The culture of communicating SRH problems with parents was almost non-existing except girls getting information from mothers during menstruation.None of the participants were aware of the Adolescence Sexual and Reproductive Health services available in their community neither had they ever utilized any services.The most important reasons identified for not utilizing the services were social stigma, lack of information, service quality and service provider behavior.
Author: Prakash Khanal
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3135613954