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Exploring the Acceptability, Barriers and Facilitators of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services Provided by Community Health Workers to Young People in Nyagatare Distric
Date Issued
2025-02-04
Author(s)
Tiwonge Gondwe
University of Global Health Equity
Lizbeth Uwineza
University of Global Health Equity
Abstract
Background:
This study explored the acceptability, barriers and facilitators of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services provided by Community Health Workers (CHWs) to young people in Nyagatare District, Rwanda. The study aimed to address the critical gap in SRH services access among young people, a demographic that often faces significant challenges in obtaining necessary health services. A qualitative methods approach was utilized to comprehensively understand how young people perceive CHW SRH service delivery and its impact on the young population.
Methods:
The methodology consists of conducting 19 in-depth interviews with young people aged 15-24 years along with 4 focus group discussions with 6 key informants from the health sector and 24 Community Health Workers (CHWs) operating within Nyagatare District. Specifically designed data collection tools were utilized to gather comprehensive information on the participants' experiences, perceptions and suggestions for enhancing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services provided by CHWs to young people.
Results:
Key findings reveal that 63.1% of young people had utilized SRH services before the interviews, with a majority of 84.2% being female participants. While CHWs are generally well- received by young people, barriers such as cultural beliefs, lack of privacy, and inadequate training and resources hinder the effective delivery of SRH services. Facilitators identified include the importance of involving young people in designing and implementing SRH programs, and ensuring that services are youth-friendly and meet their specific needs. Additionally, having CHWs well-stocked with necessary commodities was crucial, as young people prefer providers who can meet their needs without redirecting them elsewhere. Adolescents' ability to access healthcare services also depended on the physical availability of these services in the facilities. Recommendations for policy and practice include increasing investment in CHW training, policy reform, enhancing privacy measures and promoting community awareness to combat cultural stigmas associated with SRH.
Conclusion:
This research underscores the vital role of CHWs in bridging the gap in SRH services for young people in Nyagatare District. Addressing the identified barriers and leveraging the facilitators can significantly improve the accessibility and quality of SRH services, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes for the youth population. Future studies are suggested to focus on the long-term impact of these interventions and explore the scalability of successful strategies in other regions.
This study explored the acceptability, barriers and facilitators of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services provided by Community Health Workers (CHWs) to young people in Nyagatare District, Rwanda. The study aimed to address the critical gap in SRH services access among young people, a demographic that often faces significant challenges in obtaining necessary health services. A qualitative methods approach was utilized to comprehensively understand how young people perceive CHW SRH service delivery and its impact on the young population.
Methods:
The methodology consists of conducting 19 in-depth interviews with young people aged 15-24 years along with 4 focus group discussions with 6 key informants from the health sector and 24 Community Health Workers (CHWs) operating within Nyagatare District. Specifically designed data collection tools were utilized to gather comprehensive information on the participants' experiences, perceptions and suggestions for enhancing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services provided by CHWs to young people.
Results:
Key findings reveal that 63.1% of young people had utilized SRH services before the interviews, with a majority of 84.2% being female participants. While CHWs are generally well- received by young people, barriers such as cultural beliefs, lack of privacy, and inadequate training and resources hinder the effective delivery of SRH services. Facilitators identified include the importance of involving young people in designing and implementing SRH programs, and ensuring that services are youth-friendly and meet their specific needs. Additionally, having CHWs well-stocked with necessary commodities was crucial, as young people prefer providers who can meet their needs without redirecting them elsewhere. Adolescents' ability to access healthcare services also depended on the physical availability of these services in the facilities. Recommendations for policy and practice include increasing investment in CHW training, policy reform, enhancing privacy measures and promoting community awareness to combat cultural stigmas associated with SRH.
Conclusion:
This research underscores the vital role of CHWs in bridging the gap in SRH services for young people in Nyagatare District. Addressing the identified barriers and leveraging the facilitators can significantly improve the accessibility and quality of SRH services, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes for the youth population. Future studies are suggested to focus on the long-term impact of these interventions and explore the scalability of successful strategies in other regions.
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Lizbeth & Tiwonge Capstone Report 2024.pdf
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