Research conducted in northwestern Botswana has explored the factors influencing adolescent sexual and reproductive healthcare-seeking behavior. The study focused on secondary school students, aged 14 to 19, and aimed to address the gap in understanding healthcare-seeking behaviors among younger adolescents.
The research utilized cross-sectional data collected from eleven secondary schools in Botswana's Northwest District during 2021. Surveys were completed by 553 adolescents using hand-held tablets. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were employed to examine associations with skipped healthcare visits, while logistic regression was used to identify correlates of forgone visits.
Key findings revealed that one-fifth of respondents had engaged in sexual intercourse, with a significant portion not having been tested for HIV or unaware of their HIV status. Teachers and female family members emerged as primary sources of information on bodily changes during adolescence.
Significant associations were found between age, gender, sexual experience, HIV testing, awareness of HIV status, and history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) with the likelihood of skipping healthcare visits. Younger adolescents and those without prior HIV testing or STIs had lower odds of forgoing visits compared to older peers or those who had been tested or experienced an STI.
Reasons cited for avoiding healthcare visits included perceptions of unfriendly nurses and beliefs against adolescent sexual activity. Logistical barriers such as lack of knowledge about service locations, long distances to facilities, and limited operating hours were also noted by students.
This study provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by adolescents in accessing sexual and reproductive health resources in Botswana.
