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'She is courageous because she does not care what people think about her…': attitudes toward adolescent contraception use among Rwandan family planning providers and adult female modern contraceptive users

Authors :
Hilary Schwandt
Angel Boulware
Julia Corey
Ana Herrera
Ethan Hudler
Claudette Imbabazi
Ilia King
Jessica Linus
Innocent Manzi
Madelyn Merritt
Lyn Mezier
Abigail Miller
Haley Morris
Dieudonne Musemakweli
Uwase Musekura
Divine Mutuyimana
Chimene Ntakarutimana
Nirali Patel
Adriana Scanteianu
Biganette-Evidente Shemeza
Gi’anna Sterling-Donaldson
Chantal Umutoni
Lyse Uwera
Madeleine Zeiler
Seth Feinberg
Source :
Reproductive Health, Vol 19, Iss 1, Pp 1-13 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
BMC, 2022.

Abstract

Plain Language summary In Rwanda, youth who are having sex use family planning less than married women. This study involved asking family planning providers and adults what they think about youth using family planning. Data for this study was collected in 2018, and included 32 interviews with adult family planning users and eight group discussions with family planning providers in two areas of Rwanda. The findings show that Rwandans believe youth should not have sex before they are married. Family planning providers do provide youth with services; however, they often push stopping sexual activity, offer a smaller selection of family planning methods, and exaggerate risks associated with sex and family planning use. Family planning providers support youth by honoring their need for privacy, keeping their secrets, and providing fast services so fewer people see them at the clinic. Providers like to help adolescents in youth corners, which are special spaces within health facilities just for youth. Importantly, adult women who use family planning want youth in their community to be able to use family planning, too. In order to respond to the issues raised, the Rwandan government can start conversations in villages and more broadly about the need for youth to have access to family planning. The government should also teach family planning providers and anyone who comes into contact with youth to offer helpful and friendly services. Setting up spaces for adults to talk with family planning providers about youth access to family planning could also contribute to fewer barriers to services for adolescents.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
17424755
Volume :
19
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Reproductive Health
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.b6cc56d173744eaa9d8d6d3b40432b12
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-022-01517-4