Assessing Sexual Reproductive Health Needs Of Rural Communities In Northern Uganda

Assessing Sexual Reproductive Health Needs Of Rural Communities In Northern Uganda

Sadhbh A Lee , Isabel K Waters, Mathew Ocan, Mirriam Oroma, Francis Pebalo Pebolo
The Mwezi Project, Gulu, Uganda; Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; Gulu University, Gulu, Uganda

Introduction: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is an important area of public health in northern Uganda. Community-based needs assessment (CBNA) is a means of collecting evidence from both service providers and community members to ensure interventions are appropriate and reflect actual unmet needs in a community.

Aim: To conduct a CBNA to determine the SRH needs of rural communities in Gulu and Amuru districts and to use these results to plan an effective SRH intervention.

Methods: The needs assessment was carried out as mixed-methods research from the period of May-June 2024 in Gulu and Amuru districts in northern Uganda, through use of paper and online surveys.

Results: 200 survey responses were recorded. Sexual health education and sexual and gender-based violence support were the most required services. The biggest barriers to accessing services were money and a lack of information.

Conclusion: Rural communities in northern Uganda report a need for many SRH services, with sexual health education the most required service. Designing a free sexual health education program to be delivered in the local language and in line with cultural beliefs would address this need and overcome barriers to access.

Keywords: sexual health, community engagement, reproductive health, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV)