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Youth-Led Research in Kenya
- Mercy
- Kenya
- February 1, 2026
Situation
Despite continuous NGO investments in sexual and reproductive health, young people in Kenya remain underserved. Uptake of key services—including HIV testing, contraception, cervical cancer screening, and care and support—has stayed low. Barriers such as stigma, misinformation, unfriendly service environments and restrictive policies limit adolescents’ ability to access timely, youth-responsive SRHR services.
Assignment
The task was to conduct an investigation by and for young people, engaging healthcare providers and other key actors to co-create a service delivery model that genuinely aligns with youths’ needs, realities and expectations.
Approach
A qualitative research study utilized focus group discussions and a consensual measurement approach to surface shared experiences across diverse youth groups. As a co-investigator, I supported data collection on access challenges, information gaps, provider interactions, and structural barriers within the SRHR ecosystem. Insights were jointly analysed with young participants and providers to ensure an inclusive interpretation of emerging themes.
Result
The process produced co-designed, youth-friendly reproductive health service models, outlining clear opportunities for improving accessibility, communication and provider engagement. It also identified critical advocacy issues—including policy and guideline constraints—that now inform targeted advocacy objectives aimed at creating a more enabling SRHR environment for young people.