Adolescents' accessibility and use of sexual and reproductive health services in Kaolack and Gossas, Senegal

Afr J Reprod Health. 2024 Aug 31;28(8s):107-114. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2024/v28i8s.12.

Abstract
in English, French

In Senegal, the needs for care related to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) among adolescents are significant. This study evaluates the accessibility and use of gender-related SRHR services by adolescents in the municipalities of Kaolack and Gossas. It is based on quantitative and qualitative data from 2,263 adolescents in the 2 sites, 84 in-depth individual interviews, 12 focus groups with adolescents and sexual reproductive Health actors, and 4 interviews with key informants. Quantitative analysis consisted of the interpretation of univariate statistics and bivariate analyses, while qualitative analysis relied on the coding and thematic analysis of verbatim statements. The results show low use of health structures (3% and 0.4% in Gossas and Kaolack respectively). This was attributed to the perceptions that services are not suitable to the needs of adolescents, and also because of socio-cultural constraints in the two sites. Additionally, the distribution of access to reproductive health services by sex shows gaps between boys and girls. We conclude that efforts should be made to tailor the sexual and reproductive health services offered to adolescents to their needs and social circumstances.

Au Sénégal, les besoins en soins de Santé Sexuelle et Reproductive des Adolescent(e)s (SSRA) sont importants. Cette étude évalue l’accessibilité et l’utilisation des services de SSRA, en rapport avec le genre dans les communes de Kaolack et de Gossas. Elle est basée sur les données quantitatives et qualitatives provenant de 2263 adolescents, de 84 entretiens individuels approfondis, de 12 focus groupes avec des adolescents/tes et des acteurs de la SSRA et de 4 entretiens avec les informateurs clés. L’analyse quantitative concerne les statistiques univariées et bivariées, alors que l’analyse qualitative s’appuie sur le codage et l’extraction des verbatim. L’étude révèle une faible utilisation des structures de santé, liée à leur inadaptation aux besoins des adolescent(e)s et aux contraintes socio-culturelles. Le recours des adolescent(e)s aux services de SSRA (3% et 0,4% à Gossas et Kaolack respectivement) est très faible et on note des écarts entre les garçons et les filles.

Keywords: Accessibility; Gossas; Kaolack; Senegal; adolescents; sexual and reproductive health services.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Female
  • Focus Groups*
  • Health Services Accessibility*
  • Humans
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Male
  • Qualitative Research
  • Reproductive Health
  • Reproductive Health Services*
  • Senegal
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Sexual Health