scholarly journals Stigma, Denial of Health Services, and Other Human Rights Violations Faced by Sex Workers in Africa: “My Eyes Were Full of Tears Throughout Walking Towards the Clinic that I Was Referred to”

2021 ◽  
pp. 141-152
Author(s):  
Marlise Richter ◽  
Kholi Buthelezi
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Human Rights Violations ◽  
Sex Worker ◽  
Worker Empowerment

AbstractAn ethical and forward-looking health sector response to sex work aims to create a safe, effective, and non-judgemental space that attracts sex workers to its services. Yet, the clinical setting is often the site of human rights violations and many sex workers experience ill-treatment and abuse by healthcare providers. Research with male, female, and transgender sex workers in various African countries has documented a range of problems with healthcare provision in these settings, including: poor treatment, stigmatisation, and discrimination by healthcare workers; having to pay bribes to obtain services or treatment; being humiliated by healthcare workers; and, the breaching of confidentiality. These experiences are echoed by sex workers globally. Sex workers’ negative experiences with healthcare services result in illness and death and within the context of the AIDS epidemic act as a powerful barrier to effective HIV and STI prevention, care, and support. Conversely positive interactions with healthcare providers and health services empower sex workers, affirm sex worker dignity and agency, and support improved health outcomes and well-being. This chapter aims to explore the experiences of sex workers with healthcare systems in Africa as documented in the literature. Findings describe how negative healthcare workers’ attitudes and sexual moralism have compounded the stigma that sex workers face within communities and have led to poor health outcomes, particularly in relation to HIV and sexual and reproductive health. Key recommendations for policy and practice include implementation of comprehensive, rights-affirming health programmes designed in partnership with sex workers. These should be in tandem with structural interventions that shift away from outdated criminalized legal frameworks and implement violence prevention strategies, psycho-social support services, sex worker empowerment initiatives, and peer-led programmes.

scholarly journals Policing of sex work in South Africa: The positive policing partnership approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 80-85
Author(s):  
Donna Maree Evans ◽  
Marlise L. Richter ◽  
Munyaradazi I. Katumba
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Law Enforcement ◽  
South African ◽  
Sex Work ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Police Training ◽  
Human Rights Violations ◽  
The South ◽  
Sex Worker

All aspects of sex work are criminalized in South Africa. Due to their marginalized position in society, sex workers are often the target of police violence and human rights violations, all of which have far-reaching implications for public health. Existing complaint mechanisms and police oversight structures rarely ensure accountability for sex worker human rights violations. In 2016, various sex work sector stakeholders and allied civil society members partnered in a collaborative project to document the operational policing challenges and record a contemporary evidence base of sex worker rights violations by law enforcement. The findings demonstrated that violation of sex worker human rights is systemic, pervasive, and entrenched. The project approach helped catalyze a move away from more traditionally adversarial approaches, withstakeholders from the South African sex work sector forming the Positive Policing Partnership (PPP) as an advocacy vehicle to drive positive, solution-focused engagement on the operational policing challenges. The PPP focuses on collaboration, innovative partnerships, and capacity building. Concurrently, the COC Netherlands Dignity, Diversity and Policing project has successfully embedded a rights-based police training curriculum in partnership with the South African Police Service (SAPS). These projects employ different strategies and frameworks to catalyze positive change and to support effective engagement between the sex work sector, law enforcement, and government. This article provides a snapshot of the formation, activities and progress of these projects to date, teamed with a summary of key strategies and learnings.

scholarly journals Human rights violations against sex workers: burden and effect on HIV

The Lancet ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 385 (9963) ◽  
pp. 186-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele R Decker ◽  
Anna-Louise Crago ◽  
Sandra K H Chu ◽  
Susan G Sherman ◽  
Meena S Seshu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Human Rights Violations

scholarly journals Do community scorecards improve utilisation of health services in community clinics: experience from a rural area of Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. A. Hanifi ◽  
Aazia Hossain ◽  
Asiful Haidar Chowdhury ◽  
Shahidul Hoque ◽  
Mohammad Abdus Selim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Rural Area ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Public Health Services ◽  
Community Clinics ◽  
Community Awareness ◽  
The Government

Abstract Background The government of Bangladesh initiated community clinics (CC) to extend the reach of public health services and these facilities were planned to be run through community participation. However, utilisation of CC services is still very low. Evidence indicates community score card is an effective tool to increase utilisation of services from health facility through regular interface meeting between service providers and beneficiary. We investigated whether community scorecards (CSC) improve utilisation of health services provided by CCs in rural area of Bangladesh. Methods This study was conducted from December 2017 to November 2018. Three intervention and three control CCs were selected from Chakaria, a rural sub-district of Bangladesh. CSC was introduced with the Community Groups and Community Support Groups in intervention CCs between January to October 2018. Data were collected through observation of CCs during operational hours, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and from DHIS2. Utilisation of CC services was compared between intervention and control areas, pre and post CSC intervention. Results Post CSC intervention, community awareness about CC services, utilisation of clinic operational hours, and accountability of healthcare providers have increased in the intervention CCs. Utilisation of primary healthcare services including family planning services, antenatal care, postnatal care and basic health services have significantly improved in intervention CCs. Conclusion CSC is an effective tool to increase the service utilization provided by CCs by ensuring community awareness and participation, and service providers’ accountability. Policy makers and concerned authorities may take necessary steps to integrate community scorecard in the health system by incorporating it in CCs.

scholarly journals Scoping Review on Maternal Health among Immigrant and Refugee Women in Canada: Prenatal, Intrapartum, and Postnatal Care

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Khanlou ◽  
N. Haque ◽  
A. Skinner ◽  
A. Mantini ◽  
C. Kurtz Landy
Keyword(s):  
Maternal Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Access To Health Services ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Refugee Women ◽  
Immigrant And Refugee

The last fifteen years have seen a dramatic increase in both the childbearing age and diversity of women migrating to Canada. The resulting health impact underscores the need to explore access to health services and the related maternal health outcome. This article reports on the results of a scoping review focused on migrant maternal health within the context of accessible and effective health services during pregnancy and following delivery. One hundred and twenty-six articles published between 2000 and 2016 that met our inclusion criteria and related to this group of migrant women, with pregnancy/motherhood status, who were living in Canada, were identified. This review points at complex health outcomes among immigrant and refugee women that occur within the compelling gaps in our knowledge of maternal health during all phases of maternity. Throughout the prenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal periods of maternity, barriers to accessing healthcare services were found to disadvantage immigrant and refugee women putting them at risk for challenging maternal health outcomes. Interactions between the uptake of health information and factors related to the process of immigrant settlement were identified as major barriers. Availability of appropriate services in a country that provides universal healthcare is discussed.

scholarly journals Health sector responses to intiate partner violence: A literature review

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Rees ◽  
Virginia Zweigenthal ◽  
Kate Joyner
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
South African ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Models Of Care ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Current State ◽  
Current Systems

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a common and serious public health concern, particularly in South Africa, but it is not well managed in primary care.Aim: This review aims to summarise the current state of knowledge regarding health sector-based interventions for IPV, their integration into health systems and services and the perspectives of service users and healthcare workers on IPV care, focusing on the South African context.Method: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Google Scholar were searched betweenJanuary 2012 and May 2014. All types of study design were included, critically appraised and summarised.Results: Exposure to IPV leads to wide-ranging and serious health effects. There is suffiient evidence that intervening in IPV in primary care can improve outcomes. Women who have experienced IPV have described an appropriate response by healthcare providers to be non-judgmental, understanding and empathetic. IPV interventions that are complex, comprehensive and utilise systems-wide approaches have been most effective, but system- andsociety-level barriers hamper implementation. Gender inequities should not be overlooked when responding to IPV.Conclusion: Further evaluations of health sector responses to IPV are needed, in order to assist health services to determine the most appropriate models of care, how these can be integrated into current systems and how they can be supported in managing IPV. The need for this research should not prevent health services and healthcare providers from implementing IPV care, but rather should guide the development of rigorous contextually-appropriate evaluations.

scholarly journals Examining Stakeholder’s Views On Refugee Healthcare Needs, Current Barriers in Accessing Healthcare Services and Future Healthcare Direction in New Zealand: A Qualitative Phenomenological Approach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bafreen Sherif ◽  
Ahmed Awaisu ◽  
Nadir Kheir
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Health Seeking ◽  
Healthcare Needs

Abstract Background The annual New Zealand refugee quota was increased to 1500 places from 2020 onwards as a response to the global refugee crisis. The specific healthcare needs of refugees are not clearly understood globally and communication between healthcare providers and refugees remains poor. Methods A phenomenological qualitative methodology was employed to conduct semi-structured interviews among purposively selected stakeholders who work in refugee organisations and relevant bodies in New Zealand. Results The participants indicated the need for a national framework of inclusion, mandating cultural competency training for frontline healthcare and non-healthcare personnel, creation of a national interpretation phone line, and establishing health navigators. Barriers to accessing health services identified included some social determinants of health such as housing and community environment; health-seeking behaviour and health literacy; and social support networks. Future healthcare delivery should focus on capacity building of existing services, including co-design processes, increased funding for refugee-specific health services, and whole government approach. Conclusion Policymakers and refugee organisations and their frontline personnel should seek to address the deficiencies identified in order to provide equitable, timely and cost-effective healthcare services for refugees in New Zealand.

scholarly journals Ethical Viewpoint Paper_Warriors without armors: Human Rights Violations against healthcare workers in the times of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 182-190
Author(s):  
Namrata Roy ◽  
Mohammed Ateeq Ur Rahman ◽  
Zareena Fathah ◽  
Nour Ammar ◽  
Aizaz Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Human Rights Violations ◽  
The Times

scholarly journals Barriers to the use of health services among deaf and hard of hearing adults in Greece: a Cross-Sectional Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dialechti Tsimpida ◽  
Daphne Kaitelidou ◽  
Petros Galanis
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Sign Language ◽  
Hard Of Hearing ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Minority Population ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Use Of Health Services

Rationale, Aims and Objectives: To explore the issues related to the use of health services by deaf and hard of hearing adults in Greece.Method: The study population consisted of 140 adults with hearing loss (86 deaf and 54 hard of hearing). We gathered information about sociodemographic characteristics, use of health services characteristics, satisfaction from health providers and complaints during the use of health services.Results: A considerable percentage of the participants did not make appropriate use of healthcare services, as they made avoidable visits to emergency departments even for minor, short-term conditions (p=0.002) or used to just wait for the symptoms to pass in an illness occurrence (p=0.06). They also experienced major difficulties as part of the health visit (p=0.01) and the quality of communication with health providers (p=0.002). The absence of assistive technology, along with the lack of low availability of Sign Language interpreters, were important barriers for those that communicate in Sign Language. Regarding the engagement with healthcare providers, there were high rates of dissatisfaction from doctors, nurses and receptionists related to issues during the use of health services.Conclusions: Our results underscore the fact that deaf and hard of hearing persons constitute a minority population that experience major barriers during the use of health services and considerable difficulties in the healthcare provider-patient relationship. In light of these findings, a special effort must be made to ensure that deaf and hard of hearing individuals receive appropriate, ethical and person-centered healthcare.

scholarly journals The Deinstitutionalization of Lithuanian Mental Health Services in Light of the Evidence-based Practice and Principles of Global Mental Health

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (15) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Ugnė Grigaitė
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Global Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Major Step ◽  
Current Form

During this time, in which Lithuania is going through the deinstitutionalization of its mental health services, the principles of Global Mental Health are especially relevant. This global field for study, research and practice places a priority on improving mental health outcomes as well as reducing respective inequities for all people worldwide. Scaling-up support services for persons who have mental health problems based on both scientific evidence and human rights has become one of the main focuses for action globally, and the key principles of Global Mental Health apply to the situation in Lithuania as much as they do in a number of other countries. This article explores the critical need to effectively reform the existing mental health care system in the country, which in its current form often results in human rights violations. It points to the idea, based on the global evidence base, that different Lithuanian authorities and other key stakeholders could start working together in an intersectoral way in order to reorganize mental health services from institutional to community-based models of care. It is suggested by this article that a sensible, local application of the broad key principles of Global Mental Health could be a mature and rational step taken by Lithuania. This has the potential to be a major step toward the improvement of human rights and mental health outcomes in the country.

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