The Experiences of Teachers and Community Based Health workers in addressing Adolescents Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights problems: A Case of the Community Componenet of the Rise Project [post]

Kunda Chilambe, Joseph Mumba Zulu, Chama Mulubwa, Malizgani Paul Chavuma
2022 unpublished
Background: In 1994, the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) affirmed that Sexual and Reproductive Health and rights (SRH&R) are human rights (UN Zambia/ UNFPA, 2017). The Zambia demographic Health Survey reported that 24.5% of Adolescents especially female under age 15 have had sexual experience at an early age (ZDHS, 2013). Issues to do with coerced sex, early marriage, and sexual abuse remains high among adolescents in Zambia (CSO, 2013/2014). Alongside the
more » ... commitment towards addressing SRHR problems, several other public and private organisations have also responded to provide SRHR services as strategy aforementioned SRHR challenges. Hence, the Rise intervention that was aimed at addressing SRHR problems adolescents faced in different areas of the country. However, despite the intervention some adolescents participating in community component arm of RISE still have experienced SRHR problems, thus the need to explore the roles of teachers and CBHWs in addressing these ASRHR problemsMethodology: Using a narrative inquiry study design, a total of 21 interviews were conducted with the teachers (n=12) and CHBWs (n=9) involved in the implementation and coordination of the RISE interventions from 2016 to 2018. Thematic analysis was used to explore adolescents SRHR challenges that teachers and CBHWs grappled with and how these challenges were addressed.Results: The results reviewed that challenges that were faced by teachers as they carried out their roles included late reporting of sexual abuse cases, community myths about contraceptives, stigmatization associated with traumatic circumstances, shyness among girls to participate and strong customary norms that govern their communities. The vital roles teachers and CBHWs performed were counseling and brokering of relationships for both guardians and the adolescents, creating referrals and follow-ups to affected adolescents and creating adolescents' safe spaces. Suggested strategies stated that there is significance of engaging adolescents in solution finding and creating safe spaces to discuss adolescents SRHR problems. Conclusion: This study provides significant insight on the important roles the teachers and CBHWs played addressing adolescents SRHR related problems despite the challenges they encountered from the adolescents, parents/guardians and community. Overall, the findings highlight the fact that adolescent engagement in addressing adolescents SRHR problems is key.
doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-1483130/v1 fatcat:6zisc3fxnrfq7e2wugnmkntnxy