What are the main barriers and facilitating factors associated with intergenerational communication on sexual and reproductive health in Niger and Côte d’Ivoire?

When parents communicate with their youth on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues, they have a greater influence on youth SRH behaviors. But parents’ lack of knowledge of SRH, low self-efficacy in engaging young people, and unfavorable social norms about communication and youth access to SRH information are barriers to open intergenerational communication. Breakthrough RESEARCH conducted a qualitative study in Niger and Côte d’Ivoire to better understand the specific barriers to intergenerational communication about SRH, and ways in which adult allies can be supported to engage young people and encourage them to lead a healthy life. This research contributes to a nascent body of literature that is specific to the context of francophone West African countries, which have among the highest rates of adolescent pregnancy in the world