Sexual and reproductive health of Sudanese refugee girls in Chad: mixed methods study with perspectives from 12-19 year old girls, parents, and health workers.

backgroundIn humanitarian settings, refugee girls' vulnerability to negative sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes and the barriers they face to access to SRH services increase. Despite global guidelines on adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in humanitarian settings, evidence on the diverse knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of refugee adolescents are limited.

methodsThis mixed methods study used a cross-sectional survey and participatory research activities to explore the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of 12-19 year old refugee girls from Darfur living in two refugee camps in Wadi-Fira, Chad. Focus group discussions with parents of adolescents and in-depth interviews with health workers were conducted to better understand community attitudes toward adolescent SRHR and barriers to accessing services.

resultsOverall, SRH knowledge, including of contraceptive methods, was mixed, but older girls had better knowledge than younger girls. Despite stigma around adolescent sexual activity expressed in this community, 20.9% of girls had already had sex. The majority of girls believed that health workers would maintain confidentiality if they sought contraception. Among girls who had ever had sex, 18.0% were currently using a modern contraceptive. None were using a long-acting method, but most obtained their method at the camp health center. Parents and health workers described how social stigma toward premarital sex and unintended pregnancy impeded adolescent access to SRHR information and services, although the midwives described helping girls to seek contraception.

conclusionsDespite community stigma towards premarital sex and contraception for adolescents, some girls in the camps successfully managed to receive a contraceptive method, demonstrating both their interest in and need for contraception. Although midwives were largely supportive of adolescent access, expanding contraceptive service delivery channels and making services more adolescent-responsive would further increase adolescent access. Gender transformative programming engaging girls and boys, should be expanded to improve adolescent knowledge and self-efficacy with respect to SRHR. These efforts must also engage parents and community members to create an enabling environment for adolescent SRHR and reduce stigma.