What Structural Support System Protects the Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights of Young People in Ebonyi State, Nigeria?

Ifunanya Agu, Health Policy Research Group, University of Nigeria
Aloysius Odii, Demography and Population Studies, Sociology/Anthropology Department, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria
Chibuike I Agu, Health Policy Research Group, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus
Prince Agwu, Health Policy Research Group, University of Nigeria
Chinyere Mbachu, Health Policy Research Group, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria
Nkoli Ezumah, Health Policy Research Group, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria
Obinna Onwujekwe, Health Policy Research Group, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria

Negative attitudes of health workers pose a barrier to young people’s access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services(SRHS). This study identified and explored the roles of structures protecting young people’s SRHS rights. Young people and healthcare providers were drawn from six local government areas in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Data were analyzed thematically. Our findings showed that young people report unprofessional attitudes of healthcare providers in different existing organizational structures such as i)non-governmental organizations, ii)formal healthcare system structures, and iii)government agencies/departments. Family and communal structures also protected the SRHS rights of young people at the community level. Financial limitations, poor awareness, and access to reporting structures were the challenges to reporting healthcare providers who infringe on the SRH rights of young people. There is a need for program managers to make efforts to create awareness, monitor, and strengthen existing structures for protection of young people's SRH rights and better SRH outcomes.