Perceptions of community health workers on teenage pregnancy in rural Limpopo: A qualitative study
African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Perceptions of community health workers on teenage pregnancy in rural Limpopo: A qualitative study | |
| Creator | Malapela, Rakgadi G. Mboweni, Sheillah H. Risenga, Patrone R. | |
| Description | Background: Despite measures put in place to combat teenage pregnancy, the rate remains high. Community health workers (CHWs) are a cadre of health workers that can help put measures in place to reduce teenage pregnancy in the communities in which they live and work.Aim: This article aims to gain a deeper understanding of CHWs’ perceptions regarding teenage pregnancy in the rural districts of Limpopo province.Methods: An exploratory qualitative study approach was employed to collect data from CHWs in two rural districts of Limpopo. A non-probability purposive sampling approach was used to choose 81 CHWs. Eight focus group discussions (FGDs) were organised, and audio recorded to collect data from participants. The discussions were 2–3 h long and conducted in English, and data saturation was attained by the fifth FGDs.Results: An eight-step tech’s content analysis approach was employed to deductively code, analyse and summarise data into themes. Three themes emerged: the prevalence of teenage pregnancy in rural villages, factors contributing to teenage pregnancy and challenges faced by CHWs when dealing with teenage pregnancy.Conclusion: The study’s findings revealed that CHWs face challenges in their communities when offering appropriate teen pregnancy services and CHWs believe that teen pregnancy numbers remain high. There is a significant barrier in combating teenage pregnancy; if contraceptives are not acceptable to the community, the only solution and option for combating teenage pregnancy is abstinence.Contribution: The CHWs presented their insights of teenage pregnancy in rural communities. The outcomes of this study could help clinical practise, schools, communities, youth-friendly services, policymakers and other non-governmental organisations reduce teenage pregnancy. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2024-03-24 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/phcfm.v16i1.4296 | |
| Source | African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine; Vol 16, No 1 (2024); 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/4296/6962
https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/4296/6963
https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/4296/6964
https://phcfm.org/index.php/phcfm/article/view/4296/6965
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