Factors influencing access to and utilisation of youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

Abstract

Plain language summary Access and utilisation of Youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health is still a big challenge for the youth especially in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, we explored the underlying reasons for the low access and utilisation of youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services and potential solutions to the problem. Articles used in this study were retrieved from different data sources and those that contained barriers and facilitators of access and utilisation of youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services implementation were summarised. The key barriers were negative attitude of health workers and their being unskilled emanating from the administrative section theme. The individual factor was the lack of knowledge among youth. The promoters of utilisation were community outreaches, health education and improvement of the quality of services in the clinics for adolescents/ young people’s needs. Moving forward, stakeholders should aim at increasing the training of health workers and improving the quality of services being offered to the youth. To address the individual barriers, youth should be reached with information through community outreaches and education in schools.

Keywords

• Adolescents
• Barriers
• Facilitators
• Reproductive health
• Youth
• Africa