Abstract
Programmes such as Friendly Clinic Initiative (NAFCI) accredited youth-friendly services (YFS) in South Africa have addressed issues such as HIV prevalence, sexual activity and condom use, but appear to have failed to significantly reduce the incidence of pregnancy among learners who are still at school. This research sought to explore perceptions and experiences on the responsiveness of YFS in preventing unintended teenage pregnancy, from the viewpoints of teenage girls and boys in the township of Ekurhuleni (South Africa). This mixed-methods study included narratives with 15 pregnant or teenage mothers, six focus groups, and a survey of 233 teenage boys and girls. Qualitative and quantitative data were assessed separately with thematic and descriptive analyses, respectively, and the outcomes were compared, combined and discussed, where applicable. All interviews were audio-recorded and field notes compiled. This study’s results extend beyond access to health services and highlights that teenagers encountered a number of struggles in their everyday lives, including peer pressure, concerns regarding parental care, and anxiety around health. The results suggest several possible non-conventional approaches that could be implemented to improve the provision of sexual and reproductive health, such as community involvement in supporting young people, heightened parental involvement and roles and bringing services to young people, e.g. at schools and shops. Learners and teenagers in the study believe it is essential to have trained social workers, psychologists and health workers to deliver sexual and reproductive health services in the school context.
Presenters
Busisiwe Nkala DlaminiSenior Lecturer, Social Work, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Public Health Policies and Practices
KEYWORDS
Learners, Health workers, Social workers, Psychologists, School-based sexual and reproductive health services, Acceptability, Ekurhuleni
