With the world increasingly focused on achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (good health and well-being) and SDG 5 (gender equality), meeting the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs of young people has become a global imperative. Several countries have made progress on this, especially in areas of adolescent-friendly health services, access to contraception, and comprehensive sexuality education. But this is not the case for many others in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where it is reported that adolescents face significant barriers, including in poor SRH information. While it is recommended that we improve adolescents SRH knowledge, the question remains, what kind of SRH information do adolescents in SSA need and how do we tailor it to meet their need?
Defining Adolescent and Comprehensive SRH Information
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines adolescents as individuals aged 10 to 19. This age range includes children in early puberty, teenagers exploring identity and relationships, and older youth preparing for adulthood.
According to the Guttmacher-Lancet Commission, a comprehensive package of SRH services includes maternal and newborn care, contraceptive services, and HIV/AIDS prevention. It also encompasses lesser-emphasized areas such as comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), care for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), access to safe abortion services, counselling and treatment for infertility and cervical cancer, as well as support for gender-based violence (GBV) and sexual well-being.
While this package outlines what an ideal SRH framework looks like, the reality for adolescents is far more nuanced. Do they need information on all these topics? Yes, but not all at once, and certainly not in the same format or depth. We must acknowledge that adolescents are a diverse group, and their needs must be tailored according to their age, gender, educational background, socio-economic status, and sexual activity levels. Thus, their SRH needs vary widely depending on their developmental stage.
For example, younger adolescents (10–14) may need foundational knowledge about puberty, menstruation, and bodily autonomy. Older adolescents (15–19) might seek information on contraception, consent, safe sex, and STI prevention. Importantly, some adolescents may already be sexually active or even married, particularly in contexts where child marriage is prevalent. For these individuals, timely and accurate SRH information can be lifesaving.
Tailoring SRH Information to Adolescent Needs
To be effective, SRH information must be tailored to the unique needs and contexts of adolescents. This means:
- Age appropriateness: Younger adolescents need simpler, more foundational information, while older teens may require more detailed guidance.
- Context sensitivity: Information should consider local languages, cultural norms, and values without compromising scientific accuracy.
- Gender responsiveness: SRH programs must address the different needs of boys and girls.
- Engagement strategies: Peer education, digital platforms, radio dramas, and school clubs can all be effective in reaching young people.
- Safe spaces: Adolescents need safe, confidential environments where they can ask questions and access services without fear of stigma.
Why SRH Information Matters
Providing adolescents with comprehensive SRH information is critical for several reasons:
- Preventing unintended pregnancies: Lack of knowledge about contraception and reproductive anatomy can lead to unintended pregnancies. This often result in school dropout, economic hardship, and unsafe abortions.
- Reducing STI/HIV transmission: Adolescents who are informed about safe sex practices are more likely to use condoms and seek testing and treatment.
- Empowering informed choices: Knowledge about consent, bodily rights, and gender equality enables adolescents to make informed decisions about their relationships and sexual behaviour.
- Breaking the cycle of silence: In many African societies, discussing sex remains taboo. Providing comprehensive SRH education breaks this silence, encourages open dialogue, and challenges harmful norms.
Our InSiGHt
At InSiGHt, we are well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to the delivery of adolescent SRH information in sub-Saharan Africa. We have a strong track record in health systems strengthening, research, and implementation science, that can support governments and development partners in designing evidence-informed SRH interventions. In previous projects, we adopted localised contexts, utilised stakeholder engagement, health communication, and digital solutions to meet the need of adolescents. Therefore, we have the capacity to co-create age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, and gender-responsive educational tools that resonate with diverse adolescent audiences.
Furthermore, our work in policy analysis and capacity building can enhance the ability of educators, healthcare providers, community groups and civil society to deliver accurate and non-judgmental SRH information. Through partnerships with relevant organizations and agencies, we can ensure that adolescents are not only recipients of information but active participants in shaping the content and channels through which it is delivered.
We believe in bridging evidence with action and working across policy and practice. We can play a critical role in ensuring that every adolescent has access to the information they need to make informed decisions about their SRH.
Conclusion
Adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa need accurate, timely, and contextually relevant sexual and reproductive health information to lead healthy lives. This information must be tailored to their age and context, and delivered through trusted channels, supported by enabling environments. Meeting these needs is not only a public health priority but also a human rights imperative. To achieve the SDGs and ensure that no young person is left behind, comprehensive SRH education must become a standard part of adolescent development across the region.
