A Qualitative Study in Rwamagana District On The Acceptability and Utilization Of SRH Services In Youth Corners By Adolescent Girls And Young Women

Background:
Teenage pregnancies pose a significant challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa, including
Rwanda, where a high percentage of adolescent girls become mothers each year. Despite the
implementation of laws and policies to promote Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH)
and the establishment of youth corners in health centers, there are gaps in accessing and utilizing
SRH services by Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW). Knowledge levels on HIV and
SRH have declined among young women, leading to risky behaviors and inadequate access to
timely services. This lack of knowledge contributes to the burden of disease among adolescents,
including unplanned pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and STIs, including HIV. This study aimed to
assess the acceptability and utilization of youth corners by AGYW in Rwamagana District.

Methods:
The study employed a descriptive qualitative research design, which involved
conducting in-depth focus group discussions with Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW).
Additionally, key informant interviews were conducted with the focal person responsible for
overseeing the youth corners. Furthermore, observational checklists were utilized to gather data in
the selected youth corners located in Rwamagana District.

Results:
A total of 8 Focus groups discussions (FGDs) and 4 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)
were conducted. The results highlighted the various SRH services that AGYW are utilizing in the
youth corners, factors affecting acceptability and utilization and possible solutions to avert the
situation. 4 themes were used to depict the views of AGYW on acceptability and utilization of
SRH services in youth corners and these are: 1. SRH service provision in youth corner; 2. Inter
and intra-personal factors that affect SRH acceptability and utilization; 3. Obstacles in provision
of SRH and 4. Improving access to SRH for AGYW. The results reveal that lack of knowledge on
SRH, religion, culture, distance, and lack of trained healthcare providers on the provision of youth
friendly SRH services continue to hinder acceptability and utilization of SRH services in youth
corners.

Conclusion:
The research successfully identified the range of SRH services provided to AGYW
in the youth corners of Rwamagana over the past 12 months, which include include contraceptives,
emergency contraceptives, pregnancy tests, HIV and STI testing and screening, ASRH
information, post-GBV services, and counseling. The study findings emphasize the need to
improve the provision of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and the existing legal
framework to better meet the needs of Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW). Integrating
the experiences and recommendations of AGYW into the development of SRH interventions is
crucial for creating responsive and effective services. Through assessing the acceptability and
utilization of these services by AGYW in Rwamagana district, the study also identified that
AGYW face barriers such as limited knowledge, interpersonal and institutional factors, financial
burdens, and distance to the youth corners. By addressing these challenges and capitalizing on the
opportunities, policymakers and stakeholders can enhance the accessibility, acceptability, and
utilization of SRH services for AGYW in the district, promoting their overall well-being and
upholding their rights to comprehensive SRH care.