reproductive health services for adolescents - Pathfinder International

Module 16/Trainer's Tools
Trainer's Tool 1.1: Barriers to Information and Services for Youth
My name is Abena. I am sixteen years old. I live 5 km from here and normally sell small
snacks on the roadside to earn money for my mother and younger siblings. It was not
easy for me to have the time to go to the clinic.
I went because I have a boyfriend and I don't want to become pregnant. Some of the
girls that I sell with have become pregnant and I see how hard their lives are with a
small child and no husband. I had heard that you could take some pills to prevent
pregnancy so I wanted to find out if it was true.
I went to the clinic early in the morning because I needed to get back so I could sell
something before the day ended. When I arrived there were several women waiting
outside with small children. They kept looking at me and whispering. One of the older
women asked me why I was there since the clinic only served women who were older
with children and a husband. She told me this was no place for a "small girl" like myself.
(Tear the sign)
The staff was late to arrive. I sat there for over an hour waiting for the front doors of the
clinic to open. (Tear the sign)
Once I was inside I wondered how I could talk with the nurse. I finally got up enough
courage to speak to the woman behind the table with a sign saying "Reception". When I
approached, her face became hard. She asked me why I was here and that I should be
in school. When I explained that I wanted to talk with a nurse, she questioned me. I was
too embarrassed to tell her why I was here. She then told me that the morning hours
were for prenatal and maternal and child health services only and that I would have to
come back later in the day. When I asked her what time, she just shrugged her
shoulders and ignored me (Tear the remaining piece of the sign in half and discard
it.)
(Hold the medium sized sign in front of you so everyone can see it.)
I came back at 2:00 pm. I hadn't eaten anything and had nowhere to go while I waited,
so I had sat down under a tree for the last 4 hours. It was very hot out and I was hungry
and thirsty. When I asked the receptionist if I could see the nurse, she told me that the
nurses had taken a break for lunch. They would be back in an hour. The receptionist
was very unfriendly and I could tell she didn't think I should be there.
(Tear the sign)
After an hour, the nurses came back. I was told that I could go in and speak with one of
them. She instructed me to the exam area. When I went to the exam room, the nurse
looked angry. She asked me why I was here. I told her that I didn't want to be pregnant
and I had heard there were some pills to take. She told me that if I didn't want to
become pregnant then I shouldn't have sex. I should be in school or helping out at home
not running around with boys.
(Tear the sign)
Pathfinder International
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Adolescent Curriculum