Situation Analysis of Reproductive Health of Adolescents and Youth in Pakistan

Abstract

This report presents a situation analysis of reproductive health of adolescents and youth in Pakistan. It is intended to contribute to evidence-based policies and programs for realizing reproductive rights and choices for young people through health information and services, education programs, and strategic partnerships. The study included a literature review; secondary analysis of data from the Pakistan Demographic Health Surveys (2006-07, 2012-13 and 2017-18); and Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS Punjab 2017-18 and Sindh 2014) and a qualitative study of perspectives of unmarried adolescent boys and girls (ages 15-19), including both school-going and out-of-school individuals, as well as boys and girls with disabilities, in peri-urban areas of Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta. Major themes of the research include puberty, marriage, fertility, family planning, utilization of reproductive health services, rights awareness, and gender-based violence. Findings about married young people are based on secondary data analysis, while qualitative findings concern unmarried adolescents.