scholarly journals Addressing Learner-Centred Barriers to Sexuality Education in Rural Areas of South Africa: Learners’ Perspectives on Promoting Sexual Health Outcomes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayobami Precious Adekola ◽  
Azwihangwisi Helen Mavhandu-Mudzusi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Sexuality Education ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Socio Economic Status ◽  
School Based

Abstract Introduction The school-based sexuality education programmes in South Africa aim to improve the sexual and reproductive health of school-going adolescents. However, the high rate of unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among learners in some schools in rural areas of King Cetshwayo district suggests that the programmes in these schools might not be effective due to certain learner-centred factors. Method This qualitative study explored lived experiences of 84 learners from nine public schools in 2020 through focus group interviews. Data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results Learner-centred barriers to effective school-based sexuality education identified in this study were attitudes, age disparity, psychological status, peer pressure, socio-economic status, the exploratory attitude of learners, media, lack of role models, previous experiences, socio-economic status, and lack of parental love. These factors could reduce good sexual health. Learner-targeted interventions such as campaigns, using guest professionals, condom distribution, videos, on-site family planning, formal demonstrations, and on-site counselling could address these barriers. Conclusions Addressing these barriers and implementing the proposed interventions will enhance school-based sexuality education and consequently improve adolescents’ sexual health. Policy Implications The findings could guide programming, implementation, and delivery of school-based sexuality education leading to improved adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health.

scholarly journals School-Based Health Clinics: Improving Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health in British Columbia – An Integrative Literature Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Carmen Schalles
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Societal Implications ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
School Based ◽  
Reproductive And Sexual Health

This integrative literature review strives to determine if the delivery of reproductive and sexual health services provided through high school-based primary care clinics can improve BC adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Adolescent sexual and reproductive health not only impacts life-long health; it also has significant societal implications. Although BC has begun to focus on adolescent health, innovative health service solutions are needed to improve adolescents’ health. Systematic search through the University of Northern British Columbia online library databases and Google scholar and the evaluation of the literature using CASP analysis tools resulted in the inclusion of 10 articles. Findings suggest school-based health clinics (SBHCs) decrease barriers that adolescents experience when accessing health services as well as public health system costs. Moreover, SBHCs are an effective mechanism to support adolescent reproductive and sexual health needs, especially in those populations with elevated levels of sexual and reproductive risk factors. However, for SBHCs to be effective, sustainable funding needs to be sourced, and barriers adolescents experience when accessing services need to be evaluated and addressed. SBHCs can complement current adolescent-friendly services to meet this unique population’s needs; however, further research is needed. More robust research on various demographics, health outcomes, and Canadian-based examination is required to strengthen SBHC implementation recommendations.

scholarly journals Raising young people’s awareness on sexual and reproductive health issues

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Papadakaki ◽  
M Plevri ◽  
K Vagionaki ◽  
G Papadomanolakis ◽  
R Androulaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexuality Education ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Peer Education ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Health And Social Care ◽  
One Stop ◽  
Youth Friendly

Abstract Issue/problem Despite the high prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases(STIs) and abortions among Greek youth, sexuality education is not yet part of the curriculum of Greek schools and the Greek family is not ready to address these issues with comfort. Description of the problem A “one-stop information point” was organized for one week in major cities of Crete Region as part of a community health program, which was funded by the Regional Authority of Crete to address “Gender Equality in the Region of Crete within 2018-2020”. The project aimed at increasing young people’s awareness of sexual health issues using a “peer education” approach and a youth-friendly information package. Undergraduate students from health, mental health and social care professions acted as volunteers upon receiving a rigorous 2-day training by sexual and reproductive health experts. The questions to be answered by the project were: “What are the main concerns of adolescents regarding their sexual health? How much satisfaction could adolescents gain by a “one stop information point” and a youth friendly “information package” offered by peers? Results Serious information gaps regarding contraception and STI’s and a number of stereotypes regarding healthy relations and sexual orientation have been recorded. Gender dysphoria is still an issue that remains unaddressed among young people. A youth-friendly website (LaHeRS Lab) and short videos are now available as part of the project to facilitate young people’s access to information. A large social media network of young people interested in sexual health issues has been formed locally and is growing nationally. The intervention was received with satisfaction. Lessons “One-stop information centres” and “peer education” have been an ideal combination to address sensitive issues among young people. Key messages Knowledge gaps and unsafe sexual practices are prevalent among adolescents. Sexuality education should be offered in early school life.

scholarly journals Challenges and Opportunities for School-based Sexual and Reproductive Health Education: A Qualitative Study with Bangladeshi Islamic Leaders

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Ali ◽  
Jonna Arousell ◽  
Birgitta Essén ◽  
William Ugarte
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Religious Leaders ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Rural Villages ◽  
School Based ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Urban And Rural Areas

Abstract BackgroundIt has been argued that Islamic leaders’ views are of utmost importance to designing a comprehensive sexual education (CSE) curriculum. Therefore, this study explored how Islamic leaders in Bangladesh present, argue for and against, and negotiate views on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education for adolescents. MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with seven Imams using thematic analysis. The study was conducted in urban and rural areas, specifically the capital, Dhaka, as well as several rural villages in the Cumilla district.ResultsWe found three main themes 1) appropriate topics for SRH education, 2) appropriate methods for SRH education, and 3) conservative versus progressive views. ConclusionWe conclude that Islamic leaders seemed willing to try finding ways to support more comprehensive and liberal SRH education if they would be encouraged by reflective and inclusive dialogue. This study presents an empirically grounded opportunity for policy makers to consider the future role for religious leaders in the provision of SRH in Bangladesh.

Should we change the focus of health promotion in sexual health clinics?

Sexual Health ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rudiger Pittrof ◽  
Elizabeth Goodburn
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
Unknown Risk ◽  
Sexual Health Clinics ◽  
The Cost

The effectiveness of sexual behaviour change interventions in sexual health clinics is unknown. Risk factors for poor sexual and reproductive health such as depression, violence, alcohol and smoking in sexual health clinics are all common and can be identified easily in sexual health services. Targeting these risk factors could be as effective as traditional sexual health promotion and could have additional benefits. The authors propose a pilot to assess the cost-effectiveness and acceptability of incorporating screening and interventions for these risk factors.

scholarly journals Are rhetorical commitments to adolescents reflected in planning documents? An exploratory content analysis of adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Global Financing Facility country plans

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asha S. George ◽  
Tanya Jacobs ◽  
Mary V. Kinney ◽  
Annie Haakenstad ◽  
Neha S. Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Adolescent Health ◽  
Teenage Pregnancy ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Social Determinant ◽  
Project Appraisal ◽  
School Based

Abstract Background The Global Financing Facility (GFF) offers an opportunity to close the financing gap that holds back gains in women, children’s and adolescent health. However, very little work exists examining GFF practice, particularly for adolescent health. As momentum builds for the GFF, we examine initial GFF planning documents to inform future national and multi-lateral efforts to advance adolescent sexual and reproductive health. Methods We undertook a content analysis of the first 11 GFF Investment Cases and Project Appraisal Documents available on the GFF website. The countries involved include Bangladesh, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda. Results While several country documents signal understanding and investment in adolescents as a strategic area, this is not consistent across all countries, nor between Investment Cases and Project Appraisal Documents. In both types of documents commitments weaken as one moves from programming content to indicators to investment. Important contributions include how teenage pregnancy is a universal concern, how adolescent and youth friendly health services and school-based programs are supported in several country documents, how gender is noted as a key social determinant critical for mainstreaming across the health system, alongside the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration, and the acknowledgement of adolescent rights. Weaknesses include the lack of comprehensive analysis of adolescent health needs, inconsistent investments in adolescent friendly health services and school based programs, missed opportunities in not supporting multi-component and multi-level initiatives to change gender norms involving adolescent boys in addition to adolescent girls, and neglect of governance approaches to broker effective multi-sectoral collaboration, community engagement and adolescent involvement. Conclusion There are important examples of how the GFF supports adolescents and their sexual and reproductive health. However, more can be done. While building on service delivery approaches more consistently, it must also fund initiatives that address the main social and systems drivers of adolescent health. This requires capacity building for the technical aspects of adolescent health, but also engaging politically to ensure that the right actors are convened to prioritize adolescent health in country plans and to ensure accountability in the GFF process itself.

scholarly journals Quick and collaborative response to teenage pregnancies in a poor semi-rural area of Belgium

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Déom ◽  
L Ben Abdelhafidh ◽  
N Annez ◽  
C Glorie ◽  
M Roland
Keyword(s):  
Family Planning ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Health Clinic ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Reproductive Health Services ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Victims Of Violence ◽  
The City

Abstract Early pregnancies are often linked to precarious situations. Even if Belgium has seen a decrease in teenage pregnancies, in the former mining region of the Hainaut there are still twice as many births to young women under 20 compared to the national rate. Colfontaine is one of the poorest cities in Belgium. Last year, one of the local high schools counted 10 pregnant teenagers out of 450 students. Médecins du Monde was already present in the city at the time with a mobile health clinic called the Médibus. In response, we carried out a mapping of the local sexual and reproductive health actors. The lack of accessibility to social and health structures capable of welcoming teenagers anonymously and free of charge quickly emerged as a problem, the nearest family planning center being located 30 minutes away by bus. In September 2019, in partnership with 5 local health actors, we decided to reshape the Médibus into the Adobus in order to offer family planning consultations, health promotion and harm reduction activities at the high school once a week. In addition to offering health information services, we also aim to detect teenagers experiencing vulnerable situations such as addiction, violence, gender issues and refer them to appropriate services. Halfway through the project, we met 430 teenagers in 14 afternoons. The most common reasons for consultation (N = 310) were questions related to contraception for 29% and to sexually transmitted infections for 24,5%. 70,9% of teenagers received condoms and 13 girls were tested for pregnancy. One girl received a morning-after pill. 3 teenagers with addiction problems and 17 victims of violence were detected. The teams referred 18 teenagers to other services. The success of this outreach project confirms the need for information regarding sexual and reproductive health for teenagers living in precarious situations as well as the need to develop reachable and affordable sexual and reproductive health services in semi-rural areas. Key messages Outreach is an efficient approach to respond to teenagers’ needs in poor semi-rural areas. Outreach facilitated the detection of early pregnancies, addiction and violence issues among teenagers.

Inequalities in the Regional Distribution of Private Psychiatric Services Provided under Medicare

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 630-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony F. Jorm ◽  
Stephen J. Rosenman ◽  
Patricia A. Jacomb
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Social Indicators ◽  
Regional Distribution ◽  
National Health Survey ◽  
Psychiatric Services ◽  
Socio Economic Status ◽  
Medicare Data ◽  
Consultant Physician ◽  
Using Data

An analysis was carried out on Medicare data to find out if there are inequalities in the geographical distribution of private psychiatric services in Australia. The number of psychiatric services and persons becoming patients per 100,000 population was calculated for each federal electorate for the year 1985/86 and related to social indicators derived from the 1986 census. As a comparison, services provided by consultant physicians were analyzed as well. The data were based on the electorate of the patient rather than the electorate of the practitioner. Consultant psychiatrist services were found to be received more often in high socio-economic status electorates and those with older populations, and less often in rural areas. A similar pattern was found for consultant physician services, although the relationship with socio-economic status was not as strong. Frequent psychiatric consultations of longer duration, which are an indicator of insight psychotherapy, were more common in higher socioeconomic status electorates. A limitation of the Medicare data is that they cover only private services. To overcome this limitation, a supplementary analysis was carried out on the distribution of consultations for mental disorders using data from the National Health Survey. These data confirmed that individuals of high socio-economic status with a mental disorder are more likely to receive specialist treatment.

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