A Qualitative Analysis of Predictors of Sexo-Reproductive Health Needs of Adolescent Girls in the Kumbo West Health District of Cameroon

Abstract

Background: In Cameroon, adolescent girls' knowledge on sexo-reproductive health and access to reproductive health services is important for their physical and psychosocial wellbeing. It has been established that, the lack of knowledge about the consequences of unprotected premarital sex among adolescent girls predisposed them to unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortion and its complications, future reproductive health problems and sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS. Objectives:The aim of this study was to examine predictive factors associated with comprehensive categories of adolescent girl's sexo-reproductive health, including sources of information and knowledge on sexo-reproductive health, sexual development, risky sexual behaviors, utility and perception of sexo-reproductive health services.Methods: This was a qualitative study which adopted a narrative approach to qualitative enquiry and made use of the social ecological model. Eight focus group discussions (n=80) were conducted among both in-school and out-ofschool adolescent girls aged 10-19 years. The discussions were stratified by sex, studentship and health area. In addition, fourteen in-depth interviews were conducted with various stakeholders in sexo-reproductive health services