Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health in Malawi

This report is part of a larger, five-year study of adolescent sexual and reproductive health issues called Protecting the Next Generation: Understanding HIV Risk Among Youth (PNG). This research involves focus group discussions and qualitative interviews with adolescents, teachers and health workers, as well as national surveys of adolescents. This synthesis is the first publication of the PNG project in Malawi. It identifies important knowledge gaps and informs the project’s communication and advocacy initiatives by providing an overview of current policies and interventions for youth.

The primary goal of this report is to summarise what is known about adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Malawi and to identify knowledge and programme gaps requiring further research and programme action. Drawing from a wide range of studies carried out in the country since 1990, the synthesis reviews the social, cultural and economic context in which adolescents live; their sexual and reproductive health experiences; sources of information and services related to sexual and reproductive health; knowledge and attitudes about HIV/AIDS and personal risk assessment; and policies and programmes on adolescent sexual and reproductive health in the country.

Topics include:

• The social context, cultural values and beliefs
• Adolescent sexual and reproductive experiences
• Information and service sources for adolescent sexual and reproductive health
• Adolescent awareness, knowledge and attitudes about HIV/AIDS and STIs
• Policies and programmes on adolescent sexual and reproductive health