Culture influences an individual’s perception of health needs. The influence of culture also applies to Somali individuals’ perception of their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and uptake of related services. An understanding of female Somali adolescents’ SRH needs is vital to achieve inclusive health coverage. No research has, however, been conducted to explore the SRH needs of this population group in Oslo; hence, the aim of this qualitative study was to minimize the knowledge gap. 

Methods Fourteen young women aged 16–20 years were recruited using the snowball technique with purposive sampling. In-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide were used to collect data, and thematic analysis was applied. 

Results Participants perceived SRH as a very private matter and open discussion of SRH was extremely limited owing to certain Somali cultural beliefs and values. As the participants intend to practice chastity before marriage, they believed that existing SRH services were largely irrelevant and inappropriate. Where they felt the need to access SRH services, participants wished to do so in a way they considered culturally appropriate.

Conclusion Somali culture markedly influences individuals’ perceptions of SRH services. It is recommended to modify existing SRH services by increasing confidentiality and anonymity in order to take into account the cultural requirements of female Somali adolescents.

Tamanna Afroz has studied Medicine at University of Rajshahi, in Bangladesh, and then worked as a physician for four years. Later, she has completed MPhil in International Community Health at University of Oslo in Norway. Now, she is working as a researcher in International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh. She has both International and National publications in recent time. Her public health interests include sexual and reproductive health, global health, maternal and child health and emerging & reemerging diseases.