Background
Our communities are bedeviled with many problems, including stigma associated with safe abortion, rape, defilement, neglect by the spouse, intimate partner violence etc leading to morbidity and mortality of Adolescents. Adolescents who receive good sex education are more likely to delay having sex and when they do start having sex, they are more likely to avoid unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDs. Most facilities lack adolescent friendly services as current facilities target only adults.
Methodology
The research embarked on qualitative evidence gathering, using focus group discussions in Abeokuta and Ibadan (the capital cities of Ogun). The FGD sessions were held in the state with adolescents (10-18 years), and young women (18-30 years).
Results
The research reveals the prevalence of bias against issues of Adolescents Sexual and Reproductive Health Right; and that adolescents and young women need friendly services, community support to reduce bias and stigmatisation, as well as accurate and timely information on sexual and reproductive health.
Conclusion and recommendations
The research concludes that there is a need to explore additional interventions that reduce stigma, build communities of stakeholders that are committed to the delivery of unbias and friendly adolescent health services. There is therefore a need to build community structures that targets stigma reduction as well as ensure the sustainability of the project.
