Analysis of adolescents' perception and awareness level for Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights in Pakistan

BACKGROUND: Awareness of rights is a precondition to establishing rule of law in society. Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) are closely knitted in the human rights framework as they overlap with other human rights such as the right to health and life. However, awareness about these rights remains a challenge. Considering the importance of these rights this study has measured the awareness of adolescents about SRHR in Bahawalpur (Division) of Pakistan. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a cross‐sectional study in the Divison of Bahawalpur, Pakistan from October 2019 to December 2019. The study included a sample size of 500 respondents which included 250 young females of age 15–19 and 250 their parents (mother). The reasoning behind including only females in this study was the increased vulnerability and greater impact of SRHR in their life compared to males. The age range 15–19 was primarily selected as females this age will better understand and respond to the questionnaire compared to females in their early adolescent years. The quantitative research was conducted using two‐stage cluster sampling. Detailed structured questionnaires were distributed among the respondents to obtain their points of view on the awareness of SRHR. The population was divided into multi‐clusters with 25 households comprising 250 households for the division of Bahawalpur. The information was also gathered from the doctors and the teachers through interviews. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. RESULTS: The study explored the knowledge and understanding of adolescent SRHR thereby highlighting the key restrictions in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, which prohibit adolescents from gaining access to SRHR and exercising it. There is a significant portion of adolescents who strongly agreed with the importance and awareness level and think they should be more aware of information regarding SRHR. However, they are of the view that they are less independent in practicing them. CONCLUSION: The study found a low level of awareness about SRHR among young female and their parents in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. It is a need of time and responsibility of the local government of the Bahawalpur region to devise clear and proper policies which give access to these rights. This can be done by including the information on these rights in the course curriculum and teachers keeping in view the cultural and regional restrictions that guide the young female about SRHR.