Mombasa, Kenya, 6, June 2024 - Less than half of adolescents and young people in Mombasa have positive mental well-being, with one in five having indications of depression. 8 out of 10 young people of age 18 to 24 years are living in poverty and this negatively impacts their healthcare access and mental health. Only 10% of adolescents and young people are getting enough physical exercise.
These are some of the main findings from the Mombasa Youth Study report, officially launched today by the international humanitarian organization, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in collaboration with the Mombasa County Department of Health. The study focused on the health, healthcare, social life, and well-being of young people in Mombasa.
“MSF conducted several large digital surveys and in-depth interviews collecting data from nearly 1,800 adolescents, young people, and healthcare workers in Mombasa,” explained Dr Denton Callander from MSF, one of the study’s principal investigators “The report covers our first findings from the study, however, data collection is ongoing. This means we are able to investigate if the health of adolescents and young people is improving or getting worse over time.”
Globally, adolescents and young people (AYP) face unique health and well-being challenges along with unequal health outcomes. These include sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues like teenage pregnancies, sexual and gender-based violence, mental health struggles and substance abuse, and Mombasa youth are not an exception.
The Mombasa Youth Study 2023 Report explores these issues, but also intends to provide a more comprehensive description of Mombasa’s youth. It delves into the impact of digital life and social media, disability, and the socio-economic wellbeing challenges and factors associated to their health.
The report also brings further evidence for policy making and backs existing strategies. “In the new Adolescents and Youth strategy launched this year, Mombasa County’s health focus for adolescents has shifted from just sexual and reproductive health to a broader approach.” Explains Chief Abdallah Daleno, County Chief Officer for Public Health and Disease Prevention. “It addresses a wide range of concerns for physical, mental, and social dimensions of public health. Through public, private, and community partnerships, we are now collaborating to implement the strategy’s intersectionality and renewed vision.” Chief Daleno explains.
“Investment in holistic health for adolescents and young people means progress in public health and society generally.” Says Marcos Tamariz, MSF Project Coordinator. “To realize such gains, robust and locally contextualized research like this is needed to inform services, interventions, and policies targeting adolescents and young people, and, importantly, to monitor progress and impact.”
Healthcare workers’ influence in healthcare access for young people
The study also assessed healthcare workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards potentially sensitive health topics such as substance use, early pregnancy, and mental health. This was achieved with a confidential survey from 222 clinical and non-clinical County healthcare workers.
Over 40% of healthcare workers in Mombasa had medium-high levels of stigma towards mental health. This warrants attention as young people prioritise judgement-free care which improves their health-seeking behaviors. Youth who sought care in Youth Friendly Centers reported a better experience.
This report thus shows that young people in Mombasa face economic, mental health, social and structural issues which impact their health and well-being. Investments that enhance their economic well-being, job creation policies, employability skills, capacity building strategies and innovation are a stake in the nation’s public health future. In this sense, Médecins Sans Frontières and the Department of Health keep looking forward to further joint scientific research driven collaborations.
About MSF
Since 2021, Médecins Sans Frontières has been supporting the Mombasa County Department of Health in implementing the County Adolescent and Youth Health Strategy. In 2023 alone, MSF provided healthcare to 9,484 adolescents and youth. The peer-led project aims to improve health and well-being among this group in three dispensaries, through outreach activities, specialized clinical services, health education and promotion, referral pathways, and psychosocial support.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/Doctors Without Borders is an international, independent, medical humanitarian 2organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, exclusion from healthcare and natural disasters in more than 70 countries around the world.
Since 1987, MSF has been providing medical services in Kenya, including adolescents and youth friendly services, care for HIV, TB and Non-Communicable Diseases, healthcare for refugees, people who use drugs, and support for survivors of sexual violence in Mombasa, Garissa in Dadaab Refugee Camp, Homa Bay, Nairobi, and Kiambu counties.
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