Between 17th and 21st November, ROM under the SHE SOARS project carried out post-mentorship and coaching sessions for health workers at Kiswa Health Centre III, China-Uganda Friendship Hospital, Kisugu HCII, and Wentz Medical Centre. The activity was aimed at improving the delivery of adolescent-friendly sexual and reproductive health services in Kampala.
The mentorship focused on helping health workers review and clarify key areas in adolescent reproductive health. Through group discussions, one to one sessions, observations and departmental interactions, the team engaged providers on fertility, adolescent reproductive cancers, socio cultural practices, and gaps in seraimed to improve the delivery of adolescent-friendly service delivery.
During the discussions, mentors noted that some health workers still needed guidance in explaining the fertility window to young people. The session covered the menstrual cycle and fertility period, enabling providers to better advise adolescents on family planning and safe days.
The team also discussed reproductive cancers among adolescents. Health workers were able to list common cancers such as cervical, breast, penile, and prostate cancer, along with their causes, risk factors and early warning signs. The discussion highlighted the need for more careful examination of adolescents for early detection.
Attention was drawn to social and cultural practices that shape adolescent health-seeking behaviour. Health workers identified both positive values, such as cultural identity and shared roles, and harmful practices, such as female genital mutilation and early marriage. The mentorship encouraged them to support young people to overcome cultural barriers when seeking health services.
The exercise also involved observation of service delivery, review of data tools and engagement with departments such as counselling and records. Mentors found that some adolescents still had limited information on pregnancy, unsafe sex, substance abuse and related issues. This allowed the team to fill knowledge gaps during the session.
Participants included; clinicians, midwives and peer educators, were coached. The needs varied across cadres, with peer educators mainly requiring more skills in peer counselling and mobilisation, while others needed refresher training on adolescent friendly service delivery.
One of the peer mothers at Kiswa HCIII, Rachael, said the mentorship made concepts clearer for her.
“I finally understood how to guide adolescents on the safe window. This session was truly helpful,” she shared.
After the activity recommendations were captured. These included continued mentorship, stronger collaboration with Naguru Teenage Centre, exchange visits, and linkage to the Ministry of Health for IEC materials. Providers also suggested more outreach sessions to reach both in-school and out of school adolescents.
Although attendance was good, mentors noted that more providers should be included in future sessions since many interact with adolescents daily. Some previous follow-up actions had not been implemented due to limited resources.