Preferences to accessing sexual and reproductive health information and services among adolescent girls and young women in higher learning institutions in Tanzania; a qualitative study

Abstract Background Around 89% of the 1.8 billion individuals aged 10 to 24 globally reside in developing countries. Annually, approximately 21 million girls aged 15 to 19 in these regions become pregnant, with about 12 million giving birth. These statistics underscore substantial disparities in accessing sexual and reproductive health services among young people, emphasizing the lack of privilege and limited accessibility, necessitating a deeper understanding of their preferences and perceptions regarding such services. Methods A qualitative descriptive study was employed to explore Sexual and Reproductive Health experiences among adolescent girls and young women from two universities in Dodoma. Data were collected using in-depth interviews with 13 adolescent girls and young women aged 19 to 24 years. Thematic analysis was done to identify themes and sub-themes, such as individual, socio-cultural, and health system barriers. Results Community-based sources, media-based sources, healthcare services accessibility, and diverse needs of services provision emerged as superior themes of the study. Conclusion The study reveals diverse preferences among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in higher learning institutions for accessing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. Despite available options, including community and media-based sources, and recommendations for peer education and online platforms, individual, socio-cultural, and health system barriers persist. The study advocates for trustworthy online platforms with comprehensive content on contraception, STI prevention, and decision-making, ensuring confidentiality and user-friendliness. It suggests integrating health clubs within institutions to foster open dialogue and collaboration with healthcare professionals, educators, and peers.