Background
The lack of sexual and reproductive health services at the Institute of Health Sciences in Gaborone has led to an increasing number of pregnancies among the students. The institute trains future health workers and has 533 students aged 18-30. Despite this, there is no clinic on campus that offers sexual and reproductive health services and students who become pregnant need to seek care from facilities outside the institute. These other health facilities cater for the rest of Gaborone’s population, which means that waiting hours are long and students miss their classes.

About the project
This project was created to improve students’ access to sexual and reproductive health services at the Institute of Health Sciences in Gaborone. The project team renovated a clinic at the institute and stocked it with educational material and other necessary equipment. They consulted students throughout the process to ensure that the health services would meet their needs, and these students then helped spread the word about the clinic to their peers. Students could visit the clinic twice a week and access services for a range of sexual and reproductive health issues, including HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, contraceptives, pregnancy, post-abortion care, sexual abuse etc.

Results
From February 17 to March 31, 2009, 68 students attended the clinic. Most of the students came in for sexually transmitted infections, HIV-testing, contraceptives and minor health issues. Two students registered for antenatal care, i.e. health check-ups during pregnancy. The evaluations showed that there was a clear need for the clinic and that many students wished it would be open more days each week, as they felt more comfortable going to the youth-friendly clinic than the regular ones.

Year: 2009