Assessment of Service Availability and Health Care Workers’ Opinions about Young Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health in Soweto, South Africa
), Naomi Lince(2), Adila Hargey(3), Helen Struthers(4), Busi Nkala(5), James McIntyre(6), Glenda Gray(7), Coceka Mnyani(8), Kelly Blanchard(9),
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Corresponding Author
Abstract
Young women in South Africa experience high HIV and unintended pregnancy rates. Health care workers’ (HCWs’) opinions about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues impact young women’s ability to access SRH services. We explored HCW opinions through interviews with a purposive sample of 29 HCWs in three primary health clinics in Soweto, South Africa and examined service availability through facility assessments. Most HCWs believed young women should not have sex before marriage and thought that young women ignore information they receive about HIV and pregnancy prevention. HCWs acknowledged outside factors influencing young women’s ability to protect themselves. Most thought injectables were the most appropriate contraception for young women; all recognized the importance of condoms for dual protection. Some services were only reported to be provided to those over 18 years. HCWs may benefit from workshops providing technical and policy information and values clarification exercises highlighting the impact of opinions on service provision (Afr J Reprod Health 2012 (Special Edition); 16[2]: 283293).
Résumé
Les jeunes femmes en Afrique du Sud connaissent de taux élevés du VIH et de grossesse non voulues. Les opinions des membres du personnel soignant (MPS) sur les problèmes de la santé sexuelle et de reproduction (SSR) influencent la capacité des jeunes femmes d’avoir accès aux services de la SSR. Nous avons exploré les opinions des MPS à travers les interviews en profondeur avec un échantillon calculé de 29 MPS dans trois cliniques de santé primaire à Soweto, Afrique du Sud et nous avons examiné la disponibilité des services à travers les évaluations des établissements. La plupart des MPS ont cru que les jeunes ne devraient pas avoir des rapports sexuels avant le mariage et ont cru que les jeunes femmes ignorent les informations concernant le VIH et la prévention de la grossesse. Les MPS ont reconnu les facteurs extérieurs qui influent sur la capacité des jeunes femmes de se protéger. La plupart croyaient que les injectables constituaient la contraception la plus appropriée pour les jeunes femmes ; toutes les femmes reconnaissaient l’importance des préservatifs pour une double protection. Certains services ont été rendus aux femmes qui avaient plus de 18 ans. Les MPS peuvent profiter des ateliers qui donnent des informations sur les techniques et la politique ainsi que les exercices sur la clarification de valeurs qui ne mettent pas en lumière les influences des opinions sur l’assurance des services (Afr J Reprod Health 2012 (Special Edition); 16[2]: 283-293).
Keywords: adolescent health services, family planning services, health personnel
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