Study: Men and boys and their SRHR in East and Southern Africa

The sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) needs of adolescent boys and young men in East and Southern Africa are critically overlooked in policy, programme and service provision, calling for immediate and decisive action. In this region, adolescent boys and young men grapple with a range of SRHR challenges that profoundly affect their overall well-being. Currently, there is a glaring absence of targeted policies that specifically address the SRHR requirements of adolescent boys and young men. While many existing programmes prioritize women’s health due to the significant disease burden among adolescent girls and young women, this oversight has detrimental effects not just on adolescent boys and young men, but also on adolescent girls, women of reproductive age and families as a whole.

It’s essential to recognize that addressing the SRHR needs of adolescent boys and young men is vital for fostering healthier communities and promoting gender equity in health initiatives. In the East and Southern Africa region and worldwide, adolescent boys and young men significantly underutilize SRHR products and services compared to women.

This study employed a mixed method approach to assess the structural, social and behavioural factors influencing the uptake of SRHR services among adolescent boys and young men aged 18 to 34 years at selected sites in five countries. The study highlights significant sexual risk behaviours, inequitable gender attitudes and knowledge gaps about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) among adolescent boys and young men.