There is a need for research on adolescent sexual and reproductive health
(SRH) to further clarify the broader developmental context of very young adolescents
who are generally neglected in SRH research in developing countries. Programs can
then address these factors: (including quality of family, school, and peer relationships,
commitment to learning, and various social competencies), thereby broadening valid
intervention targets and increasing program effectiveness among vulnerable youth. In
this study, cross-sectional survey data measured the extent of developmental assets
(youths’ individual strengths and social relationships and opportunities) and
concurrent SRH outcomes among a stratified random sample of 941 very young
adolescents (10 to14 years old) in northern Uganda. We hypothesized that youth with
higher levels of assets would have better SRH. Mean developmental assets level was
barely adequate. However, as predicted, youths with higher levels of the assets were
more likely to have accurate HIV knowledge, accurate condom knowledge, the ability
to access SRH services, supportive relationships in which SRH issues can be
discussed, and were more likely to have the intention of delaying sexual intercourse or
using condoms. The asset–SRH health linkage was stronger for girls than for boys.
The findings suggest a potential utility for promoting individual and social assets,
such as positive relationships and opportunities, commitments to learning, and social
competencies, as a strategy for promoting SRH among very young adolescents in a
developing country setting.