It’s not just about pads! Adolescent reproductive health in Kenya:A qualitative secondary analysis

Abstract

Many adolescents face barriers to accessing reproductive health care even though quality reproductive health care is a fundamental human right. This qualitative analysis describes quality reproductive health requests among adolescent high school girls in Kenya. We conducted a secondary analysis of qualitative data from a sub-sample of adolescent girls in Kenya who participated in the What Women Want global campaign. The campaign utilized one open-ended survey question. We also analyzed interview data from key informants involved in the survey. We used pre-existing codes and current literature to design the coding framework and thematic analysis to describe emerging themes. Atlas. ti 8 was used to organize and analyze codes. Over 4,500 high school girls, ages 12 and 19 years, were included in the analysis, with 61.6% from all-girls boarding schools and 13.8% from mixed-day schools. Data from nine key informants complemented findings from the survey. Emerging themes included: 1) The need for improved menstrual health and hygiene: Sanitary towels and cleaner toilets; 2) Prevention of adolescent pregnancy: Access to contraception; 3) Respect and dignity: Participants want privacy and confidentiality; and 4) The need to address social determinants of health: Economic stability and a safe physical environment. This study indicated that adolescent high school girls have varied requests for reproductive health care and services. While menstrual health and hygiene are key issues, reproductive needs are beyond just sanitary products. The results suggest a need for targeted reproductive health interventions using a multi-sectoral approach.

Influence of Student Councils’ Socio-Demographic Dynamics on Management of Secondary School Students’ Discipline in Kenyenya Sub-County, Kenya

“…The study attributes this to the most parents and students not being aware of these changes. Oyieyo (2012) asserts that indiscipline can be observed in many forms and his study findings concurs with the findings obtained by Mitambo (1986) and Ayieko (1988) that some problems encountered in most secondary schools are late coming, smoking, drinking, truancy, skipping lessons and strikes. Birgen (2007) as cited in Onditi (2019) puts it that moral depravity, drug abuse and violence have become major problems facing secondary schools in Kenya today.…”

Download PDF Download XML the Impact of Public Health Policies on Alleviating Menstrual Poverty: A Review of Literature and Policy Recommendations

“…To alleviate menstrual poverty, the following policies and implementation plans are deemed necessary, yet they encounter certain challenges. Primarily, comprehensive menstrual health education programs ought to be implemented in schools, communities, and healthcare settings, notwithstanding cultural and societal obstacles that may impede progress (Crichton et al, 2013;Olson et al, 2022;Ayieko et al, 2022). Subsequently, government interventions necessitate the development of policies ensuring the affordability and accessibility of menstrual products, particularly for the financially disadvantaged, yet fiscal constraints pose considerable obstacles, rendering collaborative investments a potential solution (Gruer et al, 2021;Olson et al, 2022).…”

“…Cross-sector collaboration proves crucial for the formulation and implementation of comprehensive policies, yet it requires robust leadership, cooperation, and monitoring mechanisms (Gruer et al, 2021). Finally, investment in research to comprehend the impacts of menstrual poverty is mandatory, with gaps in data and research that need to be overcome (Ayieko et al, 2022;Elhage et al, 2022). In sum, addressing these challenges necessitates proactive engagement and enduring commitment from all stakeholders, along with ongoing evaluation and adjustment of policies and interventions.…”