Medpedia Podcast. Apps Newsletter Abo-Shop. Springer Medizin. Suche Suchbegriffe eingeben Suchen. Reproductive Health.
Despite increased contraceptive use over the past decades, unmet need is still high in Malawi. Methods The study involved HSAs and their supervisors, a variety of community members, health workers and policy makers using 34 interviews and 12 focus group discussions. Data were recorded, transcribed, translated, coded and thematically analysed according to a framework that included community-, HSA- and health system-related factors. Results HSAs were found to be trusted providers of contraceptive services.
At community level, gender norms, decision-making and beliefs about contraceptives were intertwined. They resulted in women using contraceptive services, including those offered by HSAs, in secret. There were misconceptions about contraceptives among both men and women, which were insufficiently addressed by HSAs.
Residence and age of HSAs influenced their role in the provision of contraceptive services to young community members, whereas sex was not regarded as an enabling or hindering factor.
Conclusions HSAs in Mangochi are important contraceptive service providers. Their ability to ensure male involvement, increase access to services for youth and address misconceptions about contraceptives needs improvement. AEHO Assistant environmental health officer.
