In Zimbabwe, a host of barriers are preventing adolescents, defined as aged 10 to 19 years, from accessing sexual and reproductive health SRH services safely and confidentially without the consent of their parents.
Without free and informative access to health services that include contraceptives, treatment for sexually transmitted infections and condoms, national studies show that rates of adolescent pregnancy and HIV are increasing, while knowledge levels around sexual health are declining.
We have two peer volunteers who are adolescents, to make the clinic as adolescent-friendly as possible. We want adolescents to feel free when they come to the clinic. We want them to meet their peers so that they can discuss any issues freely, and so that they will come back next time. We have set up indoor games like chess for them to play. We have also put up a gazebo outside where we conduct health club meetings.
Adolescents come to the clinic with different illnesses. We try to offer a comprehensive package that includes testing for HIV, screening for sexually transmitted infections STIs and offering family planning to adolescents who are sexually active. On a day-to-day basis, we see two types of adolescents. We see adolescents who are sex workers, and we see adolescents who simply come to seek services. The sex workers are open.
They will come and tell you straight away that they have an STI and want treatment. Others will go in circles. Sometimes you ask them questions and then introduce topics so that they open up.
