Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs for Adolescents with Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Rwanda, A Phenomenological Study

Dusabirema Immaculée,1 Girum Sebsibie Teshome,2 Dieudonne Kayiranga,2 Philomene Uwimana2 1Department of Operation Room, Rwamagana Level II Teaching Hospital, Rwamagana, Rwanda; 2School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, Kigali, RwandaCorrespondence: Girum Sebsibie Teshome, School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Rwanda, P.O. Box 3286, Kigali, Rwanda, Tel +250794092485, Email [email protected]: Adolescents with autistic spectrum disorder have unique sexual and reproductive health needs that are often overlooked in health service planning and delivery. Despite their right to access accurate information and appropriate care, they face significant barriers.Objective: This study aims to explore the sexual and reproductive health needs for adolescents with autistic spectrum disorder in Rwanda.Methods: A phenomenological qualitative study was conducted in February 2025 at two centers in Gasabo District, Rwanda. Data were collected through focus group discussions from autistic spectrum disorder centers selected via purposive sampling. Data was saturated after conducting 3 FGDs. Transcripts were analyzed using NVivo and thematic analysis.Results: This study revealed that adolescents with autistic spectrum disorder struggle with interpreting social cues and managing relationships, affecting their social and emotional development. A major barrier to accessing sexual and reproductive health services is the limited awareness among both adolescents and their families, along with a lack of information tailored to their specific needs. Challenges such as long travel distances, financial constraints, and cultural stigma rooted in misconceptions about their sexual and reproductive health needs further discourage families from seeking appropriate care due to fear of judgment and social rejection.Conclusion: The study found that adolescents with autistic spectrum disorder face challenges in understanding social cues and forming relationships, affecting their sexual and reproductive health experiences. Barriers include limited awareness among families about specialized SRH services, logistical difficulties, and lack of tailored information. Cultural stigma and misconceptions further prevent families from seeking appropriate care, highlighting the need for inclusive and accessible SRH support.Keywords: autistic spectrum disorder, adolescent, sexual and reproductive health, Rwanda