AGYW in Rwamagana District, Rwanda face multiple barriers to accessing SRH services in youth corners, including limited knowledge, stigma, cultural norms, and inconsistent service availability, though trust in healthcare providers' confidentiality serves as a motivating factor for utilisation.
Key Findings
Results
A variety of SRH services are available at youth corners in Rwamagana District, including family planning, STI services, and menstrual hygiene management.
The study was conducted in Rwamagana District, Rwanda, using a descriptive qualitative research design
71 AGYW participated across 8 in-depth focus group discussions and 4 key informant interviews
Stratified sampling was used to increase representativeness of AGYW participants
Services documented include family planning, sexually transmitted infection (STI) services, and menstrual hygiene management
Results
Limited knowledge about available SRH services was identified as a barrier to utilisation among AGYW in youth corners.
Many young women were unaware of the full range of services offered at youth corners
The study calls for greater awareness and education to encourage AGYW to seek SRH services
This knowledge gap was identified through thematic analysis of focus group discussions and key informant interviews
Lack of knowledge was identified alongside other structural and social barriers
Results
Cultural and gender norms created significant barriers to AGYW accessing SRH services, with restrictions not equally imposed on male counterparts.
Norms that discourage open discussions about sexual health were identified as a barrier
AGYW reported being viewed as a prostitute when seen with condoms
Stigma surrounding the use of contraceptives was identified as a barrier to service utilisation
Gender norms were described as creating 'additional hurdles for AGYW, as they navigate societal expectations and restrictions that are not equally imposed on their male counterparts'
Feminist standpoint theory was used to analyse power structures and contextualise experiences of AGYW
Results
Structural barriers including distance to health facilities, unavailability of some services, and inconsistent operating schedules limited access to SRH services.
Distance to health facilities was identified as a barrier to service utilisation
Some services were found to be unavailable at youth corners
Inconsistent availability of services coupled with diverse operating schedules posed challenges to accessing services
These structural barriers compounded the social and cultural barriers already faced by AGYW
Results
Most AGYW expressed trust in healthcare providers' ability to maintain confidentiality, which acted as a motivating factor for utilising SRH services.
Trust in confidentiality was attributed to healthcare providers' training and professional obligations
This sense of trust was described as motivating AGYW 'to be more open and forthcoming in utilising the available SRH services'
Trust in confidentiality was identified as an opportunity and facilitator within the youth corner model
This finding emerged from focus group discussions with 71 AGYW
Methods
The socio-ecological model and feminist standpoint theory were used as complementary frameworks to analyse barriers and facilitators at multiple levels.
Feminist standpoint theory aided in focusing on marginalised voices and analysing power structures
The socio-ecological model was used to analyse data through thematic analysis
These frameworks allowed examination of individual, community, and structural-level factors affecting SRH access
The combined theoretical approach contextualised AGYW experiences within broader societal dynamics in Rwamagana
What This Means
This research investigated how young women and adolescent girls in Rwamagana District, Rwanda access sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services at specialized facilities called 'youth corners.' The study involved 71 young women who participated in focus group discussions, alongside interviews with key informants. Researchers found that while youth corners offer services like family planning, STI testing and treatment, and menstrual hygiene support, many young women still struggle to use these services due to a combination of social, cultural, and logistical barriers.
The most prominent barriers included not knowing what services were available, having to travel long distances to reach facilities, and facing social stigma — for example, being labeled a 'prostitute' simply for carrying condoms. Cultural norms that discourage young women from openly discussing sexual health, combined with gender inequalities that hold young women to stricter standards than young men, made it even harder to seek care. Practical issues like services not always being available and inconsistent clinic hours added further obstacles. On the positive side, most young women reported trusting that healthcare workers would keep their visits confidential, which encouraged them to open up and use available services.
This research suggests that improving SRH access for young women in Rwanda requires more than just providing services — it also requires community-level efforts to reduce stigma, better outreach and education so young women know what services exist, and more consistent service delivery. Addressing these barriers could help reduce teenage pregnancies and support young women in making informed decisions about their health.
Iraguha P, Ncube N, Yohannes T. (2025). A qualitative study in Rwamagana District, Rwanda, on the acceptability and utilisation of sexual and reproductive services in youth corners.. Reproductive health. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-025-02198-5