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Strategies for improving utilization of youth-friendly health services in Blantyre, Malawi

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dc.contributor.author Sibande, Grace Charity
dc.date.accessioned 2024-01-28T17:03:59Z
dc.date.available 2024-01-28T17:03:59Z
dc.date.issued 2023-06
dc.identifier.uri https://hdl.handle.net/10500/30766
dc.description.abstract In sub-Saharan Africa, the utilisation of youth-friendly health services (YFHSs) remains unsatisfactory among the youth despite global agreements concerning their importance. The aim of this study was to develop strategies for improving the utilisation of YFHSs in rural and urban Blantyre, Malawi. A sequential, explanatory, mixed-method approach, with the quantitative method in phase one and the qualitative method in phase two, was used. In turn, the two phases informed the development of strategies for improving the utilisation of YFHSs in phase three. The study population for phase one comprised female and male unmarried youths aged 10 to 24. Multistage sampling was used to randomly sample (N=293) unmarried youths. Phase two’s study population comprised service providers from the selected health facilities (N=6) and youths (N=24). Phase one’s data were collected using a structured questionnaire, and it was analysed using a computerised statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 26. Chi-square (X²) was used to test the significance of the association between variables, and p-value (p < 0.05) was considered significant. Regression analysis was used to examine independent variables’ influence on the utilisation of the services. For phase two, a semi-structured interview guide was used for individual interviews with service providers, and a discussion guide for focus group discussions. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data for phase two. v Results revealed that less than half of the respondents had ever utilised YFHSs (43%). Six themes emerged from both quantitative and qualitative results as factors that influence the utilisation of YFHSs; lack of recreation and sporting activities and equipment supporting the same, lack of dedicated space for the provision of YFHSs, lack of knowledge, the need for youth-to-youth promotion, the need for female and male YFHS providers, and healthcare providers’ attitude. Strategies aimed at increasing the utilisation of YFHSs were developed in phase three to increase contraceptive uptake and reduce unintended pregnancies and their associated complications. en
dc.language.iso en en
dc.subject Adolescent en
dc.subject Adolescent friendly health services en
dc.subject Contraception en
dc.subject Contraceptives en
dc.subject Family planning methods en
dc.subject Strategies en
dc.subject Youth en
dc.subject Youth Friendly Health Services en
dc.subject Utilisation en
dc.subject Young people en
dc.title Strategies for improving utilization of youth-friendly health services in Blantyre, Malawi en
dc.type Thesis en
dc.description.department Health Studies en


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