1.4.1 Objectives and research questions

Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) of young people especially in times of crisis and uncertainty with a focus on the most vulnerable.

This is premised on the realization that there is a general lack of evidence on the impact of these covid19 response measures on sector-specific issues including young people’s access to sexual and reproductive health and rights services and information. Most of the studies have focused on the impact on the economy, the effect on the mental health of some sections of the population, the effect on family cohesion as well as the general disruption of service delivery. Other non-academic works have reported a general rise in cases of rape, early marriages, teenage pregnancies, and domestic violence during the lockdown.

It is, therefore, apparent that there is a dearth of evidence on the impact of covid-19 and the associated national and local response on young people’s access to and utilization of sexual and reproductive health and rights services and information. The implication is that without access to services and information to enable young people to make an informed and responsible decisions, thus exacerbating the risk of unplanned/unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and related complications, resulting in disproportionately high maternal mortality and morbidity.

1.4.1 Objectives and research questions The overall purpose of this study was to assess the impact of Covid 19 response on young people’s access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services and information with a particular emphasis on vulnerable populations. Specifically, this study sought to i. Examine the effect of COVID 19 in the access of the SRHR services among young people 10-24 and vulnerable populations. ii. Identify the impact of the national response to COVID-19 on access to SRHRs for young people. iii. Establish the role of the district and community leaders in the access of SRHR services during the COVID 19 Pandemic. iv. Assess the effects of the pandemic on the households of young people 10-24.

In line with the objectives outlined above, this study sought to answer the following key questions. 1. What is the percentage of the young people and vulnerable groups affected by COVID 19 in the access of SRHR services? 2. What is the percentage of households affected by COVID 19 in the access of SRHR? 3. To what extent did the district and community leaders contribute to the access of SRHR services during the COVID 19 Pandemic?