Qualitative Evidence of Adolescents' Sexual and Reproductive Health Experiences in Selected Districts of Malawi

Abstract

This report provides an in-depth analysis of adolescent sexual and reproductive health issues in key districts of Malawi with a focus on prevention of HIV other STIs and unplanned pregnancy. The data were collected by the Centre for Social Research of the University of Malawi in conjunction with the Guttmacher Institute. This report draws on in-depth interviews (IDIs) conducted with young people aged 12-19 with representation of in- and out-of-school adolescents (male and female) who live in Blantyre City and four rural districts: Rumphi in northern Malawi Mchinji and Ntchisi in central Malawi and Mangochi in southern Malawi. A total of 102 interviews were conducted--51 in Blantyre and 51 in the other four districts. Fifteen of the interviews were conducted with adolescents considered to be at higher-than-average risk of HIV and unplanned pregnancy including adolescents who worked or lived on the streets worked as petty traders or were residing in orphanages. (excerpt)