Knowledge of family planning and STIs was high among refugee adolescents and youths in Palorinya settlement (75% and 94.5% respectively), but knowledge of menstruation was very low (6.5%), with knowledge of SRH increasing with age, income, marital status, and education level.
Overall knowledge of STIs among refugee adolescents and youths in Palorinya settlement was high at 94.5%.
Overall knowledge of family planning among refugee adolescents and youths was high at 75%.
Knowledge of menstruation among refugee adolescents and youths was very low at 6.5%.
Age 16–19 years was significantly associated with having knowledge of family planning compared to younger adolescents.
Having a monthly income of 50,000 Ugandan shillings or more was significantly associated with knowledge of family planning.
Being married or in a union was significantly associated with having knowledge of family planning.
Knowledge on SRH increased with education level, suggesting that increasing opportunities for higher education is likely to improve SRH knowledge.
Sexual and reproductive health of refugee adolescents and youths is described as a neglected area with high unmet needs.
This research surveyed 801 adolescents and young people living in Palorinya refugee settlement in Uganda to understand what they know about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and what their attitudes toward SRH services are. The study found that knowledge about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) was very high at nearly 95%, and knowledge about family planning was also relatively high at 75%. However, knowledge about menstruation was strikingly low, at only 6.5%, pointing to a significant gap in health education for this population. These SRH knowledge levels were generally higher than those found in comparable studies of young refugees elsewhere in Africa. The study found that older adolescents and young adults (ages 16–24), those with higher monthly income, and those who were married or in a relationship were more likely to have better SRH knowledge. Education level was also clearly linked to better SRH knowledge — the more education a young person had, the more likely they were to be knowledgeable about family planning, STIs, menstruation, and to have positive attitudes toward SRH services. Similar patterns held for positive attitudes toward seeking SRH services. This research suggests that investing in educational opportunities for refugee youth — particularly girls and younger adolescents — could meaningfully improve their sexual and reproductive health knowledge, which in turn may support better health outcomes. The very low menstrual health knowledge is a particular concern, as it suggests this topic is not being adequately addressed in health education programs in refugee settlements. Addressing these gaps through targeted education and community health programs could help meet the high unmet SRH needs of this vulnerable population.
Namanda C, Nakafeero M, Biribawa C, Tumwesigye N, Muhumuza J, Tumwine M, et al.. (2026). Knowledge and attitudes on sexual and reproductive health among adolescents and youths in Refugee Settlements: A case of Palorinya, Uganda.. African health sciences. https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v25i4.11