By Brighton Chimsinde 

Mchinji, February 17, Mana: In separate research studies done by three students of Lilongwe University Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), findings have revealed that young people face a lot of challenges in accessing Sexual Reproductive Health Service (SRHS).

The findings were revealed when the researchers were presenting their papers at a Research Indaba organized by Girls Activist Youth Organization (GAYO), which was held on Sunday at Mchinji Community Centre Hall in Mchinji District. 

In their respective presentations, their studies indicated that long distance, inadequate knowledge on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and unavailability of a youth friendly health facilities in the areas as among other challenges that prevents the adolescents to get the services.

For instance one of the researchers, Praise Lungu was Investigating factors affecting access and utilization of sexual and reproductive health services by young people; case study of young people in Mandible Township in Lilongwe.

Lungu said the study had 60 participants of which 3 were parents, 30 girls ranging 15 to 25 of age and 27 boys with age range of 16 to 27.

“Findings indicated that 45.8 per cent had no knowledge of SRHR. It has been established that 38 per cent of young people face a lot of challenges in accessing SRH service due to long distance and unavailability of a health facility in the area. While 60 per cent of the young people had a negative attitude like SRH services leads to lack of sexual appetite,” Lungu said. 

Lungu called on the government and stakeholders to establish Youth Friendly Health Service (YFHS) centres convenient to the youth and the facilities should provide health services that the youth and adolescents need.

Ministry Health Deputy Director Responsible for Reproductive Health and Adolescent Youth Hans Katengeza assured the gathering that the ministry is committed to fill the gap.

"The ministry is committed to ease challenges that the adolescents are encountering in accessing the services. We are making progress, for instance National Statistical Office records of 2016 the uptake of reproductive health services was at 48 percent while in a recent survey we have increased the service uptake to 68 per cent. And majority of the recipients are the youth," Katengeza said. 

GAYO Executive Director Richard Batch said the research findings gave them evidence that they need to advocate for improved policies and services at both the community and national levels.

“The gathering advances a cause that is not only crucial to public health but also to human dignity and the right of every young person to access comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights services. Our task is to break down the barriers that still stand between young people and the care, knowledge, and resources they need to excel,” Batch said.

GAYO organized the research Indaba under their project called The Sexuality Education for Transformation (SET), which aims at advancing through dialogue and research discussion.