Perceived Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs and Barriers to Service Utilization Among Married Female Adolescents in Selected Rural Areas of Bangladesh

Background: This study's potential impact lies in its focus on addressing the sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents by identifying their perceived needs and removing barriers to SRH services. The study aimed to assess the perceived needs for SRH services and the barriers to their utilization among married female adolescents (15-19 years) in Bangladesh.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among married female adolescents (15-19 years) from three Kurigram and three from the Nilphamari district of Bangladesh. A total of 436 adolescents were selected randomly through multistage sampling, and a semi-structured, open-ended, and closed-ended questionnaire was completed. This was supplemented with ten in-depth interviews. Univariate and bivariate analyses have been applied.

Results: The mean age of the respondents was 17.8 years; 46.3% had primary education, and only 5.3% had higher than secondary-level education. Among the respondents, 75.2% reported that they have SRH-related problems. 65.8% identified that they know the components of SRH services. Among the respondents, 75.2% reported SRH-related issues—37.2% perceived a need for SRH services. Barriers like personal (11%), socio-cultural (16%), religious (09%), familial (17%), financial (22%), and structural (25%) obstructed women from utilizing SRH services. In-depth interviews also suggested a similar situation.

Conclusion: Initiatives should be taken to increase SRH knowledge among the respondents. Advocacy and awareness programs are needed to inform women about the needs and importance of SRH in their reproductive lifespan. Barriers-specific interventions are required to increase the SRH service utilization among women in rural areas of Bangladesh. Respondents felt SRH needed but could not access SRH services due to different barriers. To improve the SRH situation, reduce maternal and neonatal death, and achieve SDG-related indicators in Bangladesh, married female adolescents in rural areas require special and urgent policy attention.