Sexual and Reproductive Health Across Africa: Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Bongomin Felix , Auma Anna Grace , Mlandu Chenai , Ababe Yonas , August Ella 
Published: July 2024

Sexual and reproductive health is critical for those of all genders at every stage of life. Across Africa, poor sexual and reproductive health compromises the wellbeing, economic status, and independence of families and individuals. Many challenges exist to attaining optimal sexual and reproductive health, ranging from those related to the need for more and better-trained healthcare providers, barriers to family planning, pregnancy complications, and access to comprehensive abortion care. Opportunities to improve sexual and reproductive health include enhancing the quality and delivery of patient services, promoting community access, evaluating evidence-based health policies, as well as reducing overall poor health outcomes and mortality.For this Special Collection, we are seeking high-quality original research and review articles that address three main topic areas of family planning and contraceptive services, comprehensive abortion care, and sexual and reproductive health and rights.OverviewThis seminar presents a unique opportunity for African researchers and policymakers to learn from African findings on sexual and reproductive health and rights. Dr. Felix Bongomin will provide an overview of the seminar. Knowledge and perceptions of vasectomy as a Family planning method among men in Otuke DistrictAbstract
Background: Vasectomy is one of the few options men have to manage their reproductive capacity and take on a more equitable role in pregnancy prevention. While the method is underused throughout Uganda, the northern region has a lower prevalence rate compared to the rest of the country.
Aim: This study sought to determine the knowledge and perceptions of men on vasectomy as a family planning method in rural northern Uganda.
Methods:
The study was conducted as a community-based cross-sectional study among 627 men of reproductive age in rural northern Uganda, Participants were recruited to the study using a multi-stage cluster sampling, data were collected using pre-tested, interviewer-administered questionnaires, data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, sociodemographic, knowledge and perceptions was determined by descriptive statistics, including frequencies, percentages, and measures of central tendency and dispersion, presented in tables and charts.Results: Of the 624 participants, the mean age was 36.5 years with the youngest man being 18 years old and the eldest being 67 years old. 76.1% of the participants were married, and more than half were Roman Catholics.
only 3.8% (24/624) reported having had a vasectomy, 70% have heard about vasectomy, yet less than half (41.5%) know how a vasectomy works. 91.8% agree that men should take part in family planning, yet only 37% approve of Vasectomy as a family planning method.
52% still perceive vasectomy as castration, and being practiced against their cultural and religious belief (70%), 59% believe vasectomy makes men more promiscuous, and only about 33% would consider vasectomy when they reach their desired family size.
Conclusion: utilization of vasectomy is still very low (3.8%) in northern Uganda, with negative perceptions towards vasectomy related to the poor knowledge of the method, Healthcare care systems need to include the complete package of vasectomy education for men of reproductive age and increase on the outlet of services to include the rural areas.
Keywords: Family Planning, Reproductive age, Unmet need, Vasectomy.
Consistent condom use among Botswana’s female population and associated factorsBotswana is one of the countries severely impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Despite an extensive prevention campaign, the incidence of HIV, particularly among women, remains high. Condoms play a significant role in preventing new HIV infections, although men and women do not consistently use them. The study assessed the individual, relationship and community factors associated with consistent condom use among women in Botswana using data drawn from a national cross-sectional survey on gender-based violence in 2012. The primary survey sampled 639 women, aged 18 years and older, using a multi-stage procedure. The final sample size for the secondary analysis included a total of 480 women who were sexually experienced and had reported using condoms with their male partners Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the association between consistent condom use and the explanatory variables. The multivariate logistic regression adjusted for cluster/community random effects. Consistent condom use was more likely among women who were employed in the past year. While, women who lived with their partners, had non-Christian beliefs, perceived that their partners would be angry if they ask to use a condom and perceived that their community says women need their husband's permission to do paid work were less likely to use condoms consistently. Friendly condom use information, female economic empowerment strategies and programs that involve religious leaders, and promote progressive and healthy masculine practices in Sexual Reproductive Health/HIV interventions should be considered to enhance women’s consistent use of condoms,
The Association of women empowerment and contraceptive utilization in Ethiopia.Abstract
Introduction
Women's empowerment is deeply rooted in the Sustainable Development Goals. Women empowerment is the process by which those who have been denied the ability to make strategic life choices acquire such an ability through agency, resources, and achievement. If women are empowered and utilize modern contraceptives it can prevent up to 44% of maternal mortality. This study intends to determine the association between women's empowerment dimension and modern contraceptive utilization in Ethiopia.Methods A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 305 mothers selected by systematic random sampling. The data collection used for the study was an interviewer-administrated questionnaire. The collected data were entered into Epi-data manager version 4.6.0.6 and then exported to the SPSS version-26. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were used to investigate the association between the dependent and independent variablesResult Among 305 study subjects proposed, 301 respondents were considered for analysis. About 65% 95% C.I (59.8,70.8) of women utilized modern contraceptive methods. High Self-efficacy (AOR=4.17; 95% CI 2.11, 8.23); internal locus of control (AOR 3.92; 95% C.I 2.01,7.65), labor work participation (AOR 4.53; 95% C.I 1.99,10.31) and having elementary education (AOR 8.30; 95% C.I 2.96,23.27).Conclusion

Numerous dimension of women's empowerment has a significant association with modern contraceptive utilization. Dimension of women empowerment needs considerable focus from stakeholders to empower women and enable them to utilize contraceptive and other maternal health care serviceKeywords: Contraceptive, Women, Empowerment, Ethiopia
ConclusionDrawing on the presentation from each speaker, Dr. August will make concluding remarks and take questions from the audience.