Barriers and opportunities to using health information in policy implementation: The case of adolescent and youth friendly health services in the Western Cape
African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Barriers and opportunities to using health information in policy implementation: The case of adolescent and youth friendly health services in the Western Cape | |
| Creator | van Pinxteren, Myrna Cooper, Sara Colvin, Christopher J. | |
| Description | Background: The production, use and exchange of health information is an essential part of the health services, as it is used to inform daily decision-making and to develop new policies, guidelines and programmes. However, there is little insight into how health care workers (HCWs) get access to and use health information when implementing new health programmes.Aim: This study explored the multifaceted role of health information within policy implementation processes and aimed to understand the complexities experienced by HCWs who need to develop adolescent health profiles (AHPs), a criterion of implementing a larger Adolescent and Youth Friendly Services Programme (AYFSP).Setting: This case study was undertaken in Gugulethu, a peri-urban, low-income neighbourhood in Cape Town, South Africa.Methods: Data were collected through ethnographic qualitative methods, including participant observation, interviews and workshops, and 15 participants were enrolled for this purpose.Results: Findings showed that HCWs experienced different barriers when accessing information to develop the AHPs, including a lack of access to databases, a lack of support and inadequate guidelines. Nevertheless, HCWs were resourceful in using informal information and building strategic relationships to navigate and gain access to the necessary data to develop AHPs.Conclusion: This case study provided insights into the practical difficulties and innovative strategies which arise when HCWs attempt to access and use health information within a real-life health programme. Findings highlighted the need for more training, support and guidance for HCWs to improve the meaningful use of health information during policy implementation processes and to strengthen health services in South African primary care clinics. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2021-02-25 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/phcfm.v13i1.2654 | |
| Source | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine; Vol 13, No 1 (2021); 9 pages 2071-2936 2071-2928 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/2654/4492
https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/2654/4491
https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/2654/4493
https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/2654/4490
|
|
ADVERTISEMENT
