Experiences of youth and service providers on the internet-based approaches for delivering sexual reproductive health information among youth in Kinondoni district, Dar es salaam

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Despite agreements made globally on youth and adolescents' sexual and reproductive health and rights, youth and adolescents in low and middle-income countries still have poor access to and utilization of these services. Different research has revealed the potentiality of applying internet approaches for sexual reproductive health information, despite the efforts from these researchers, there is limited evidence on the youth and service provider's experiences on internet-based approaches for delivering Sexual Reproductive Health information among youth. Objective: This study aimed to explore the youth and service providers' experiences on the internet-based approaches for delivering sexual and reproductive health information among youth in Kinondoni district, Dar es Salaam. Methodology: This qualitative study used a phenomenological study design that was applied among Youth, and Service providers in Dar es Salaam from August to November 2023. In-depth interview (IDI) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) methods were used. The sample size of 31 participants was selected purposefully. A qualitative thematic analysis method was applied to identify, analyze, and report themes within data. Results: The study revealed that from their experiences service providers perceive internet-based approaches for SRH information and services to youth to be useful and may lead to positive impacts. Moreover, youth shared their experiences with the existing internet-based approaches that they use to access various SRH information including social media and mobile applications. Furthermore, the youth mentioned that their preferred platform should be on WhatsApp but also linked to other platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok pages, the content should be in the form of edutainment and presented by a health professional and youth for it to be trusted. Conclusion and recommendation: The study has shown that more youth-friendly services should be introduced at physical facilities so that the internet-based approaches can be used as a complement by referring its beneficiaries to facilities for services. The study recommends that stakeholders should invest in internet-based approaches when addressing the youth’s low access to SRH information and services challenge because these approaches are user-friendly to youth.