ASSESSING THE DEMAND FOR SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES AMONG FEMALE YOUTH: A CASE STUDY OF LILONGWE

Abstract

Using primary data from secondary and tertiary education institutions demand for sexual and reproductive health services among female youth in Lilongwe was assessed. Simple Logit model and Multinomial Logit model were used to assess factors affecting current usage and probability of choosing a sexual and reproductive health method respectively. Contingent Valuation Method was used to elicit willingness to pay (WTP) which was estimated using Tobit model. The results indicated that current utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) methods was positively affected by age, income, awareness about SRH methods, tribe, prior exposure to SRH problem by respondents and their peers. On the other hand, youth club membership, religion, knowledge about SRH problem, cost and distance reduced usage. These factors also affected choice of the specific SRH method among female youth that were interviewed. The study results concluded that at least 81% of female youth were willing to pay for SRH methods. Socioeconomic factors such as age, income, savings, awareness about SRH methods and prior exposure to SRH methods positively increased WTP while religion, tribe, distance and price negatively affected WTP for SRH methods. It was also observed that source of SRH methods affected WTP as respondents who obtained SRH methods from public health facilities were less willing to pay unlike those who obtained from private health facilities. The decline in demand for condoms and pills as a result of an increase in income and savings means that these two methods are inferior compared to injectables and implants. The study concludes that majority (76%) of female youth are utilizing SRH methods which are not being offered in public healthcare facilities. Furthermore the study concluded that provision of sexual and reproductive health services for free does not increase demand rather there is need to improve efficiency in service delivery but also provide youth friendly services in public hospitals to increase demand.