Zimbabwe Key Informants Formative Research Report on Young People Engaging in Sex and Teen Pregnancies

This 33-page report shares the findings of key informant research in Zimbabwe conducted to inform a communication initiative to address young people's sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The research was undertaken with 10 key informants in 7 provinces by Action Institute for Environment, Health and Development Communication. It forms part of a regional SRHR programme co-coordinated by Soul City Institute for Health and Development Communication (see Related Summary below for more information). The research revealed the need to address youth sexual and reproductive health issues and create more risk awareness around various aspects of SRHR for young people.

The key informant research was conducted as part of formative research that also included a literature review and stakeholder consultations. Ten young people were interviewed using an in-depth, qualitative approach. The research looked at youth's reasons for engaging in sex early, beliefs and attitudes around sexuality, community feelings about teen pregnancies, myths and misconceptions, social norms, and barriers to change. The report also offers insight (which include written quotes from youth) into youth's views on sex and contraception, how youths react to unwanted pregnancies, their views on what can be done to prevent teenage pregnancies, how easy or difficult it is for boys and girls to negotiate for safer sex, what girls/boys do if they think they have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), how youths perceive risk of HIV and AIDS, where they seek support, and where they obtain information on sex and sexuality.

The following are some of the key findings (as highlighted in the report's executive summary):

• youths engage in sex due to peer pressure, poverty, difficult living conditions where children share bedrooms with parents, gender disparities disadvantaging women, lack of gainful employment, as well as children staying on their own due to social economic circumstances;
• the age of sexual debut is as early as 10 years;
• teenage pregnancy is an issue of concern and is compounded by situations where youth lack knowledge regarding contraceptives;
• informants indicated that youths are more worried about getting pregnant that getting infected from HIV;
• accessing condoms and other contraceptives is a challenge among the youths. They pointed out that they face hurdles in collecting the contraceptives from service providers as they are sometimes asked why they require them;
• though support services are available to assist youth, male youths are concerned about the female nurses who treat them for sexually transmitted infections;
• some of the myths and misconceptions regarding sexuality include beliefs that real men are noticed by engaging in sex and the societal view that "bulls are seen by their wounds";
• modern technology was seen as contributing greatly to influencing youth behaviour - in "experimenting" what they would have seen, learnt, watched or shared with peers. The youths easily access the internet and can view pornography on their mobile phones, computers, and television.

According to the report, one challenge to be considered when planning communication activities for youth is that SRHR is not readily talked about, particularly in rural areas. This includes lack of discussion between parents and older children or within the community where abstinence until marriage is the key message. Informants felt that young people lack vital information regarding contraceptives. When asked what could be done to help prevent teenage pregnancies, the key informants made a number of suggestions which included educating the youth, addressing issues of poverty, making condoms available, and addressing "mob psychology."

The report notes a number of challenges related to risk perception. "Youths are aware of the risk of HIV but falter when it comes to practice. They indicated that young people do not feel that they could really contract HIV." Young women are also more at risk as discussing sex is especially taboo for females.

Based on the research findings, the report offers the following recommendations:

• there is need for more information on STIs, HIV and AIDs, and pregnancy to be incorporated in the school curriculum;
• there is a need to empower young people economically in order for them to be able to better negotiate for safer sex;
• school going children who are sexually active must be given contraceptives and counselling;
• men with STIs must be attended to by male nurses; and
• address the knowledge gap relating to issues of pregnancy.