What Young People Want
In Uganda, young people want more information about their sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) – whether they are sexually active or not.
In October 2021, we asked young people what they want and need when it comes to SRHR information. Together with our partner Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU), we set out to answer pressing questions about young people’s knowledge, attitudes, practices and behaviours from contraception to periods.
13 young people used our Outreach Tablets to survey over 250 of their peers in Fort Portal, Kabarole district of southwestern Uganda. The survey unearthed insights into what young people want and need when it comes to SRHR information– online and off. Here are our five key findings.
KEY FINDING #1
Young people navigate SRHR information gaps, leaving them unsure where to turn.
Without access to accurate SRHR information, young people struggle to make informed choices about their own sexual health and rights. Over half of young people we surveyed did not use a condom every time they have sex. Young people age 16 and under were more likely to not consider using a condom.
The results from our survey highlighted varying degrees of information scarcity.
Information Deserts - When no accurate information accessible, young people are unable to access information that is accurate, freely available and judgement free. Evidence shows that this was more prevalent for young people we surveyed living in rural areas. Without a mobile phone and at a distance from their nearest health centre, young people are vulnerable.
Information Taboos –Cultural taboos present misinformation. Cultural taboos around menstruation are very strong. Even when information may be available – from parents, school, or health clinics – stigma keeps young people from discussing key issues.
Information Flooding – Contradicting disinformation. Online and off, young people sift through fake news and anti-choice information on sex, contraception, consent and periods. Although information may be readily available, the volume of often contradicting information leaves young people unsure what to believe and vulnerable to myths and disinformation.
The lack of high quality SRHR information contributes to higher unplanned pregnancy and HIV and STI transmission. This damages young people’s health, education and future prospects.
KEY FINDING #2
Young people rely on their mobile phones for SRHR information, but struggle to tell fact from fiction.
While online digital SRHR information is readily available, young people are flooded with disinformation - intentional spreading of fake news and false facts. Online, young people must sift through fiction before they can find fact.
Young people reported relying on their mobile phones as a key source of SRHR information. With an overwhelming amount of anti-choice information and intentional disinformation online, young people are vulnerable to disinformation.
Young people we surveyed actively use social media to engage and share content – with Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram being the most favoured platforms. SRHR mis- and disinformation can be quickly shared and viewed without an opportunity to be verified.
More needs to be done to ensure young people can access reliable SRHR information online. Equally, young people must be equipped with digital literacy skills to be able to identify fake news and disinformation they view online.
KEY FINDING #3
The digital divide is leaving young women and girls behind.
While digital tech offers more options to reach young people, women and girls are being left behind. Young women face barriers to digital access - many do not own a mobile phone; many rely on borrowing one from a friend or family member; and this gap widens further for young women under the age of 17.
Many young women lack basic digital literacy skills to navigate SRHR content online. More needs to be done to ensure that young women – especially adolescent girls - have the confidence and competencies to participate in an increasingly digital world. To encourage more young women’s participation online, more efforts are needed to support them to build their basic digital literacy skills.
KEY FINDING #4
Most young people will turn to their peers first to talk sex and relationships.
Talking to parents or teachers can be awkward for young people, so, it’s no surprise young people reported feeling most comfortable talking to their peers about sex and relationships.
Although these confidential conversations are an important space for building support and trust, they can inadvertently spread misinformation and myths. That’s why peer educators are so important.
Peer educators play a critical role in providing a friendly non-judgemental space for young people to ask questions and get accurate SRHR information. Peer educators have a deep understanding of the emotions, motivations and fears their peers have when it comes to SRHR – which provides valuable insights into how to discuss sensitive SRHR topics in a way that speaks to young people.
We work with peer educators to co-create and deliver youth-friendly digital SRHR content. Peer educators provide invaluable insights into key gaps in knowledge, and how to design engaging digital SRHR content that captures the attention of young people.
KEY FINDING #5
When it comes to consent, young people believe that if they don’t say “no,” it’s a yes.
Consent is one of the most fundamental parts of sexual relationships. Yet many young people we surveyed had misconceptions about their ability to say yes or no to sex.
Consent is one of the most fundamental parts of sexual relationships. Yet many young people we surveyed had misconceptions about their ability to say yes or no to sex.
Although many young people recognised that consent was a verbal yes, many did not agree that consent can always be removed. Prevalent misconceptions around consent included “I don’t need to get consent to have sex” “Anyone who says no is playing hard to get.” Many reported cultural and social misinformation, with consent often being discussed as part of jokes or jibes.
Misconceptions about consent were comparable in young women and men, but men were three times more likely to believe that consent could not be removed in the middle of sex. Half of people who reported they did not need consent to have sex, could correctly identified consent as a verbal yes - highlighting it’s not only a lack of information but a disregard for it as well. More needs to be done to reframe attitudes toward consent among young people.
The findings of this survey will be used to help SafeHands and RHU support and measure behaviour change through our project Knowledge and Information on Safe Sex (KISS) and the promotion of digital SRHR information to improve SRHR knowledge and attitudes in Fort Portal Uganda. Our digital tech solutions help young people in Uganda navigate their own SRHR choices.
Fortunate Kagumaho | SafeHands | Uganda | 2021