Suboptimal Coverage of Adolescent- and Youth-Friendly Reproductive Health Services in Tanzania

A study conducted by the Ministry of Health in Tanzania has revealed suboptimal coverage and incomplete implementation fidelity of National Standards for adolescent- and youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services in Tanzanian health facilities. The research, which assessed 11 health facilities across three regions, found that while all facilities offered adolescent- and youth-friendly services, the average implementation fidelity of the National Standards was only 65%, with none achieving full compliance. The study highlighted the need for enhancing infrastructures, strengthening healthcare worker capacity, and improving access to SRH education and associated services to advance the quality and reach of these services across the country.

Key Takeaways:

• The study evaluated the coverage and fidelity of implementation of National Standards for adolescent- and youth-friendly Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Services across types of health facilities in Tanzania.
• Of the 11 health facilities assessed, 9 (82%) were government-owned and 2 (18%) were faith-based.
• The average implementation fidelity of the National Standards of SRH services was 65%, with none achieving full compliance.
• Health centers, including Tandale health center (73%), Kigogo health center (71%), and Ujiji health center (67%), had the highest coverage and fidelity implementation of the adolescent-and youth-friendly SRH national standards.
• Government-owned facilities achieved the highest coverage and fidelity in implementing adolescent- and youth-friendly SRH services compared to faith-based facilities.
• The study revealed that enhancing infrastructures, strengthening healthcare worker capacity, and improving access to SRH education and associated services are critical to advancing the quality and reach of these services across the country.

Statistics:

• 82% of health facilities assessed were government-owned.
• 18% of health facilities assessed were faith-based.
• 65% was the average implementation fidelity of the National Standards of SRH services.
• 100% of facilities offered adolescent- and youth-friendly SRH services.
• 73%, 71%, and 67% were the fidelity implementation of the adolescent-and youth-friendly SRH national standards at Tandale, Kigogo, and Ujiji health centers, respectively.

Sources:

• Evaluating the implementation fidelity of national standards for adolescent- and youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services in Tanzania: a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Reproductive Health, 2025,22(1):1-14.
• Ministry of Health
• National Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH) coordinator, Gerald Kihwele