TANGA: ACCESS to family planning and reproductive health services is a crucial element in empowering youth, reducing unintended pregnancies, and promoting gender equality.
In Tanzania, this issue is particularly pressing due to the high rates of teenage pregnancies, early marriages and limited access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education.
In Tanga region, youth access to family planning and reproductive health services faces numerous challenges but also offers some valuable insights into the interventions aimed at improving sexual and reproductive health for young people.
Tanzania, like many other African countries, has a predominantly young population, with approximately 45 percent of the population under the age of 15.
Despite efforts by the government and non-governmental organizations to promote reproductive health services, young people in Tanzania continue to face several barriers to accessing family planning services.
According to the 2016 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey, teenage pregnancy remains high, with about 27 percent of girls aged 15-19 years reporting having given birth. This issue is compounded by cultural and societal barriers, such as stigma around adolescent sexual activity, limited access to health services, and lack of youth-friendly reproductive health education.
In Tanga region, these challenges are particularly pronounced. However, local authorities and health professionals are working tirelessly to provide more inclusive and youth-friendly services, ensuring that young people have access to the tools and knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.
Several experts and stakeholders, including Marie Stopes Tanzania, are involved in advancing family planning and sexual and reproductive health services for young people in Tanga, and their efforts are central to addressing the region’s challenges.
Monica Nalinga, the Reproductive and Child Health Services Coordinator for the Korogwe Municipal Council, highlights the importance of integrating family planning services into the broader health system. According to Nalinga, Korogwe Municipal Council has made significant strides in increasing youth access to family planning by offering a range of methods and ensuring that they are easily accessible at health facilities.
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She notes that outreach programs, youth clubs and school health programs are critical in disseminating information about contraception and reproductive health, especially in rural areas where access to information is limited.
“We need to create an environment where young people feel comfortable accessing reproductive health services without fear of judgment or stigma,” Nalinga says, adding that by incorporating family planning into routine health services and through targeted youth-friendly initiatives, we can increase awareness and usage of these services among young people.
In Tanga, a major concern is the perception of family planning services as being only for married women or older individuals. However, as Siboyi Mike Kidoma, the Family Planning Coordinator for the Korogwe Municipal Council, points out, increasing awareness and offering youth-friendly services can significantly change these attitudes.
Kidoma works closely with community health workers and local organizations to educate youth about the importance of family planning and the benefits of delaying childbearing, both for their health and their futures.
“We need to change the narrative around family planning, so that young people, regardless of whether they are married or not, understand that it is their right to make informed choices about their bodies,” Kidoma says, adding that this involves not just providing contraceptives but also fostering open conversations about sexuality, consent, and personal health.” Dr. Imani Mgaya, the Medical Officer in Charge at the Msambiazi Health Center in Tanga, emphasizes the role of health facilities in improving youth access to family planning services.
Dr. Mgaya states that although there is a growing demand for reproductive health services in the region, there are still gaps in service delivery, particularly in rural areas. These gaps include a shortage of trained personnel, inadequate facilities, and limited awareness among young people about the services available to them.
“Many young people are hesitant to seek family planning services due to concerns about confidentiality or the lack of information on the options available,” Dr. Mgaya explains. “By providing better training for health workers and increasing awareness, we can make these services more accessible to youth and reduce barriers to their use.” A critical part of this effort involves ensuring that health workers are trained in providing non-judgmental, confidential and youth-friendly care.
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This is where the work of Emelinda Benard Mtega, a nurse with Marie Stopes Tanzania stationed at the Korogwe Municipal Council, comes into play. Mtega has been instrumental in ensuring that young people, especially adolescents, have access to a wide range of family planning options, including long-term methods such as implants and IUDs, as well as short-term methods like condoms and pills. According to Mtega, the key to reaching young people is to approach family planning in a holistic and nonstigmatizing way.
“Many young people come to us with questions about their reproductive health, but they are often embarrassed or unsure about the services available to them,” Mtega says.
She says by providing a safe, non-judgmental space where they can ask questions and receive guidance, they are empowering them to make informed decisions that will benefit their health and future. Despite these efforts, several challenges persist. One of the major hurdles is the cultural stigma surrounding adolescent sexual activity.
Many young people, especially girls, face social pressure and negative attitudes when they seek reproductive health services. This stigma can deter them from accessing contraception and seeking care when they need it. Additionally, there is a shortage of youth-friendly health facilities, particularly in rural areas, which makes it difficult for young people to access the services they need.
Another challenge is the lack of comprehensive sexual education. While some schools have begun to incorporate SRH education into their curricula, many young people are still not receiving accurate or adequate information.
This gap in knowledge leaves them vulnerable to early pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other reproductive health issues. To address these challenges, some experts in Tanzania have suggested several solutions. One key strategy is the continued integration of family planning services into school health programs and community outreach initiatives.
Providing young people with the tools and information they need to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health is essential.
“We are working to ensure that family planning services are not just available at health centers but are also accessible in schools and community spaces,” says Nalinga.
“By engaging young people where they are, we can help break down the barriers that prevent them from accessing services.” Additionally, there is a growing recognition of the need for greater youth involvement in the design and implementation of sexual and reproductive health programs.
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This includes ensuring that young people are not just recipients of services but active participants in shaping the programs that affect them. Youth access to family planning and sexual and reproductive health services in Tanzania, particularly in the Tanga region, is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach.
While significant progress has been made in expanding services and increasing awareness, challenges remain.
By continuing to improve service delivery, combat stigma and ensure that young people have access to accurate information, Tanzania can make further strides in improving the sexual and reproductive health of its youth. Collaboration between local government, health workers, NGOs and youth themselves is key to achieving these goals.
As Monica Nalinga, Siboyi Mike Kidoma, Dr. Imani Mgaya, and Emelinda Benard Mtega all agree, empowering youth with the knowledge and tools to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health is essential for building a healthier and more equitable future for Tanzania’s young population.
