2026-10-14T05:33:33Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/34049110 2026-10-01T17:42:50Z category_12 category_21 category_64 category_106 category_132 portal_5 item_type_3 month_year_10_2026

<p>Composition of key informant interviews (KIIs).</p> Noah Nyende (25157905) Justine Nanteza (25157908) Frank Kiyingi (25157911) Miph Musoke (25157914) Cell Biology Biotechnology Cancer Science Policy Infectious Diseases sexually transmitted infections november &# 8211 negative provider attitudes improving provider responsiveness exploratory qualitative study despite national guidelines 13 &# 8211 explored stakeholder views utilization remains low use srh services uganda &# 8217 limited parental guidance xlink "> adolescents friendly srh services xlink "> friendly services stakeholder perspectives 38 adolescents unmet sexual unintended pregnancy triangulated perspectives structural constraints stis ), stakeholders converged sociocultural norms reproductive health religious leaders purposively selected particularly severe nvivo 14 moral norms long distances key informants intersecting sociostructural integrated understanding informed consent ethical approval commodity stock bugweri districts begun childbearing based delivery age group addressing misinformation 19 years 15 %). <div> <p>Background</p><p>Adolescents in low- and middle-income countries face high rates of unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unmet sexual and reproductive health (SRH) needs. In Uganda, 24% of girls aged 15–19 years have begun childbearing, yet modern contraceptive prevalence among adolescents remains low (15%). These challenges are particularly severe in the Busoga region, where sociocultural norms, poverty, and limited health system capacity hinder access to adolescent-friendly SRH services. Despite national guidelines, utilization remains low. Few studies have triangulated perspectives from adolescents, health providers, and community/religious leaders. We explored stakeholder views to provide an integrated understanding of factors influencing adolescent SRH service utilization in Busoga, Uganda.</p> <p>Methods</p><p>An exploratory qualitative study was conducted in Iganga and Bugweri districts. Four focus group discussions with 38 adolescents (13–19 years), stratified by sex, age group, and residence, and 12 key informant interviews with health providers and community leaders were conducted. Adolescents were recruited through peer networks, while key informants were purposively selected. Data were collected (November–December 2024), transcribed verbatim, and analyzed inductively using thematic analysis with NVivo 14. Ethical approval and informed consent/assent were obtained.</p> <p>Results</p><p>Adolescents, health providers, and community stakeholders described SRH service utilization as shaped by adolescent motivation alongside persistent barriers. Adolescents showed strong preventive intent, but uptake was limited by misconceptions about contraception, fears of infertility, long distances, lack of privacy, negative provider attitudes, and commodity stock-outs. Providers and community leaders echoed concerns around misinformation, limited parental guidance, moral norms, and structural constraints. All stakeholders converged on the need for confidential, accessible, and peer- and community-based adolescent SRH services.</p> <p>Conclusion</p><p>Adolescents in Busoga are motivated to use SRH services, but intersecting sociostructural and system barriers limit utilization. Strengthening adolescent-friendly services, improving provider responsiveness, addressing misinformation, and expanding community-based delivery are essential to enhance equitable access.</p></div> 2026-10-01T17:42:47Z Dataset Dataset 10.1371/journal.pone.0358996.t002 https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/_p_Composition_of_key_informant_interviews_KIIs_p_/34049110 CC BY 4.0