Bridging Policy and Practice to Improve Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in Zambia: 2025 Rapid Needs Assessment
1
Research Coordination Officer, National Health Research Authority, Lusaka, Zambia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3240
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
In Zambia, multiple policies aim to improve sexual and reproductive health (Sexual and Reproductive Health - SRH) services for adolescents.1 However, gaps between policy and practice persist, presenting a critical equity and inclusion challenge, as adolescents continue to face high rates of unintended pregnancies and other SRH challenges.2 This study aimed to identify these gaps and provide actionable recommendations to strengthen SRH service delivery for adolescent girls.
METHODS:
We conducted a rapid assessment using a mixed-methods approach. We administered a structured questionnaire to health providers to gather primary data, and we reviewed policies, legal, and strategic frameworks to identify gaps between policy commitments and facility-level implementation.
RESULTS:
The assessment revealed that contradictory legal age provisions pose the most significant barrier to the effective delivery of SRH services for adolescents. This is compounded by operational challenges, socio-cultural barriers, resource constraints, and limited awareness-raising efforts.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings highlight persistent implementation gaps that undermine inclusive and equitable SRH service delivery for adolescents. To improve SRH outcomes for adolescents, Zambia must harmonise its legal age provisions, strengthen the operational capacity of health systems, and intensify targeted community awareness programs. This evidence-based recommendation offers actionable pathways for Zambia and provides transferable insights for similar contexts in Africa, aligning with the congress theme of sustainable and borderless health solutions.
In Zambia, multiple policies aim to improve sexual and reproductive health (Sexual and Reproductive Health - SRH) services for adolescents.1 However, gaps between policy and practice persist, presenting a critical equity and inclusion challenge, as adolescents continue to face high rates of unintended pregnancies and other SRH challenges.2 This study aimed to identify these gaps and provide actionable recommendations to strengthen SRH service delivery for adolescent girls.
METHODS:
We conducted a rapid assessment using a mixed-methods approach. We administered a structured questionnaire to health providers to gather primary data, and we reviewed policies, legal, and strategic frameworks to identify gaps between policy commitments and facility-level implementation.
RESULTS:
The assessment revealed that contradictory legal age provisions pose the most significant barrier to the effective delivery of SRH services for adolescents. This is compounded by operational challenges, socio-cultural barriers, resource constraints, and limited awareness-raising efforts.
CONCLUSIONS:
The findings highlight persistent implementation gaps that undermine inclusive and equitable SRH service delivery for adolescents. To improve SRH outcomes for adolescents, Zambia must harmonise its legal age provisions, strengthen the operational capacity of health systems, and intensify targeted community awareness programs. This evidence-based recommendation offers actionable pathways for Zambia and provides transferable insights for similar contexts in Africa, aligning with the congress theme of sustainable and borderless health solutions.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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