“I have to provide for another life emotionally, physically and financially”: Understanding pregnancy, motherhood and the future aspirations of adolescent mothers in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Desiree Govender ◽  
Saloshni Naidoo ◽  
Myra Taylor
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Adolescent Pregnancy ◽  
Adolescent Mothers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Future Aspirations ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Policy Priority ◽  
Returning To School

Abstract Background Adolescent pregnancy and adolescent parenting have been controversial and much disputed subjects in the field of public health. There are increasing concerns that the psychosocial challenges that adolescent mothers face may remain in the background because research in this field has mainly focused on the medical complications of early childbearing. Aim The aim of this qualitative study was to explore adolescent pregnancy and motherhood in order to understand this phenomenon from the perspective of adolescent mothers and to gain insight into their future aspirations. Methods This descriptive qualitative study utilised data that were generated from focus group discussions with adolescent mothers who utilised healthcare services at a hospital in the Ugu district in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Adolescent mothers reported a range of positive and negative experiences. Some adolescent mothers’ partners were in denial and rejected them and the child, while others’ partners were happy and supported them during their pregnancy. Families’ reactions to the pregnancies ranged between anger and disappointment to abandonment, the “silent treatment”, and acceptance and forgiveness. The psychological issues experienced by some of the adolescent mothers included suicidal ideation, guilt, loneliness, anxiety, and stress. They also experienced financial constraints, difficulty in returning to school, and stigmatisation by society. The participants envisioned completing their education, focusing on their dream careers, and contributing positively to society. Conclusion Experiences of adolescent pregnancy and parenting are multifaceted and the healthcare needs of pregnant and parenting adolescents extend beyond information and knowledge. A multidisciplinary approach is required in the care of adolescent mothers. A key policy priority should encompass the collaboration of different professionals from various healthcare sectors to assist adolescent mothers in achieving better health and psychosocial and socio-economic outcomes as steps to securing a better future for themselves and their children.

scholarly journals “I have to provide for another life emotionally, physically and financially”: understanding pregnancy, motherhood and the future aspirations of adolescent mothers in KwaZulu-Natal South, Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Desiree Govender ◽  
Saloshni Naidoo ◽  
Myra Taylor
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Adolescent Pregnancy ◽  
Adolescent Mothers ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Early Childbearing ◽  
Body Experience ◽  
Future Aspirations ◽  
Healthcare Needs ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

Abstract Background Adolescent pregnancy and motherhood has been a controversial and much disputed subject within the field of public health. Early childbearing is not only characterized as a physical body experience but also embodies the experiences and perceptions of the social norms, discourses, conflict and moral judgement. There is an increasing concern that the psychosocial challenges facing adolescent mothers remains in the background since research in this field has mainly focused on the medical and physical complications of early childbearing. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore adolescent pregnancy and motherhood in order to understand this phenomenon from the perspective of adolescent mothers and to gain insight into their future aspirations. Methods This descriptive qualitative study was based on data from four focus group discussions with adolescent mothers utilising healthcare services at a district hospital in Ugu district, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. The data were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, then analysed using thematic analysis. Results Some adolescent mothers’ partners were in denial and rejected them and the child while others’ partners were happy and supported them during their pregnancy. Families’ reactions to the pregnancies ranged between anger and disappointment to abandonment, the silent treatment, and acceptance and forgiveness. The psychological issues experienced by some of the adolescent mothers included suicidal ideation, guilt, loneliness, anxiety, and stress. They also experienced financial constraints, difficulty in returning to school, and stigmatisation in society. The participants envisioned completing their education, focusing on their dream careers, and contributing positively to society. Conclusion Experiences of adolescent pregnancy and parenting are multifaceted and the healthcare needs of pregnant and parenting adolescents extend beyond information and knowledge. A multidisciplinary approach is required in the care of adolescent mothers. A key policy priority should encompass the collaboration of different professionals from various healthcare sectors to assist adolescent mothers in achieving better health and psychosocial and socio-economic outcomes as steps to securing a better future for them.

Evaluation of Healthcare Services: Cross-sectional Case in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 52 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 32-38
Author(s):  
Peggy Gumede ◽  
Paul Green ◽  
Bongani Dlamini
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

scholarly journals “I did not see a need to get tested before, everything was going well with my health”: a qualitative study of HIV-testing decision-making in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

AIDS Care ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shema Tariq ◽  
Susie Hoffman ◽  
Gita Ramjee ◽  
Joanne E. Mantell ◽  
Jessica L. Phillip ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Kwazulu Natal

Unit Managers’ Perceptions of Implementation of National Core Standards in Tertiary Hospitals

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Winnie Thembisile Maphumulo ◽  
Busisiwe Bhengu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Staff Retention ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Services Delivery ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Tertiary Hospitals

Globally, all healthcare systems face challenges in improving the quality of healthcare services delivery. In South Africa, the National Department of Health introduced the National Core Standards (NCS) tool in 2011 as affirmation of what is predicted to deliver decent, safe and high-quality care in healthcare establishments. The study presented in this paper aimed to determine unit managers’ perceptions of the implementation of the NCS in tertiary hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This was a cross-sectional, descriptive survey. A purposive sampling technique was used to select hospitals offering secondary and tertiary services in KwaZulu-Natal. A census method was used to recruit all unit managers in the study. A census method is an attempt to list all elements or to use every unit in a group and to measure one or more characteristics of those elements. Out of the 169 population of unit managers counted in these hospitals, only 95 participated in the study. The collected data were analysed using SPSS Statistics version 25. The study showed that the participants’ perceptions were positive about the availability of material resources. However, a shortage of human resources in terms of numbers, skills, and skills mix was noted. The results also revealed that the participants’ perceptions of the availability of a positive working environment were negative. This study recommends that the healthcare authorities develop a strategic approach to manage scarce human resources by attracting, sourcing, selecting, training, developing, and retaining healthcare workers. This includes creating a positive working environment to promote staff retention.

scholarly journals Is Consent Not a Consideration for Instant Messaging?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Morris ◽  
Richard E. Scott ◽  
Maurice Mars
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
Steady Increase ◽  
Clinical Use ◽  
District Hospitals ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Regulatory Guidelines ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Common Clinical Practice

Background: Recently there has been a steady increase in the use of Instant Messaging (IM) as a means of providing health and healthcare services. This growth has been particularly rapid during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Many reports indicate informal services using IM, in particular WhatsApp, have arisen spontaneously, in the absence of any formal guidelines and little consideration of consent. This study documents the consent practices of healthcare professionals using IM for clinical activities in District Hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and compares these practices with the literature. Methods: As part of a larger audit of telemedicine activity in KwaZulu-Natal a survey questioned clinicians’ use of IM, including consent practices and awareness of regulatory guidelines. Concomitantly multiple electronic databases were searched for papers on WhatsApp use in clinical service. Inclusion criteria were: papers written in English, reported on WhatsApp in clinical use or potential clinical use, and addressed consent. Results: The survey confirmed anecdotal reports of widespread informal use of WhatsApp in District Hospitals. Most clinicians were unaware of regulatory guidelines, and few obtained consent for taking photographs or sharing of images and information with colleagues for consultation. The literature review found that consent was mentioned in only 28 papers. Of these 11 reported that written consent was obtained, of which 5 were for taking photographs and 4 for sharing information with colleagues. Discussion: The survey showed that more than half of the respondents who used IM did not consider this to be telemedicine, with the corresponding ethical requirements governed by national guidelines, thereby risking legal exposure. However, South Africa’s regulatory guidelines do not align with common clinical practice. The literature shows that the majority of doctors shared patient information by IM without obtaining any form of consent. Conclusion: Practical guidelines are urgently required in South Africa and worldwide that balance practical conduct of medical care with sound contemporary ethical principles. Prudent guidance will ensure clinicians do not inadvertently breach patient privacy and confidentiality laws whilst permitting continued health-related use of instant messaging.

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