Finding knowledge: how youth identify their candidacy and sources of information regarding sexual and reproductive health in rural KwaZulu-Natal. South Africa
Abstract Background Despite efforts by government, non-governmental organizations, local communities and families, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) behavior and outcomes among adolescents and young adults (“youth”) remain of concern in South Africa. Improving outcomes requires better understandi...
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BMC
2025-04-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22595-6 |
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| author | Ntombizonke A. Gumede Siphesihle Hlongwane Vuyiswa Nxumalo Dumile Gumede Maryam Shahmanesh Janet Seeley Guy Harling |
| author_facet | Ntombizonke A. Gumede Siphesihle Hlongwane Vuyiswa Nxumalo Dumile Gumede Maryam Shahmanesh Janet Seeley Guy Harling |
| author_sort | Ntombizonke A. Gumede |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Despite efforts by government, non-governmental organizations, local communities and families, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) behavior and outcomes among adolescents and young adults (“youth”) remain of concern in South Africa. Improving outcomes requires better understanding of how youth navigate and engage with potential sources of SRH information, so interventions can align with the contextual landscape. Methods We conducted secondary analysis of qualitative data, including interviews and group discussions, from five studies conducted in uMkhanyakude district, KwaZulu-Natal. We adapted the existing Candidacy Framework from its original focus on service use to apply to communication. We re-coded the transcripts using a thematic coding framework. Results Youth identified their candidacy for SRH information when they could not understand what others were saying about sexual health, when they feared illness in themselves or significant others, and when experiencing a health issue. Participants expected different types of information from healthcare providers, family members and peers, and had a nuanced understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each source. Stigma related to youths’ SRH and their precarious socioeconomic circumstances limited channels for communication and the ability for shared interpersonal knowledge to impact health behavior. Conclusions Identification of candidacy for SRH information in this setting was largely ad-hoc, but once aware of need, youth were able to identify and discriminate between multiple information sources. However, this information landscape was strongly shaped by formal provider and parent views of what youth should know and do, and peer sources limited own knowledge. Future interventions could address concerns at various points on the candidacy journey. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e84748ffe62f4c3d824a67479b845313 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-e84748ffe62f4c3d824a67479b8453132025-08-20T02:27:13ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-04-0125111110.1186/s12889-025-22595-6Finding knowledge: how youth identify their candidacy and sources of information regarding sexual and reproductive health in rural KwaZulu-Natal. South AfricaNtombizonke A. Gumede0Siphesihle Hlongwane1Vuyiswa Nxumalo2Dumile Gumede3Maryam Shahmanesh4Janet Seeley5Guy Harling6Africa Health Research InstituteAfrica Health Research InstituteAfrica Health Research InstituteDurban University of TechnologyAfrica Health Research InstituteAfrica Health Research InstituteAfrica Health Research InstituteAbstract Background Despite efforts by government, non-governmental organizations, local communities and families, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) behavior and outcomes among adolescents and young adults (“youth”) remain of concern in South Africa. Improving outcomes requires better understanding of how youth navigate and engage with potential sources of SRH information, so interventions can align with the contextual landscape. Methods We conducted secondary analysis of qualitative data, including interviews and group discussions, from five studies conducted in uMkhanyakude district, KwaZulu-Natal. We adapted the existing Candidacy Framework from its original focus on service use to apply to communication. We re-coded the transcripts using a thematic coding framework. Results Youth identified their candidacy for SRH information when they could not understand what others were saying about sexual health, when they feared illness in themselves or significant others, and when experiencing a health issue. Participants expected different types of information from healthcare providers, family members and peers, and had a nuanced understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each source. Stigma related to youths’ SRH and their precarious socioeconomic circumstances limited channels for communication and the ability for shared interpersonal knowledge to impact health behavior. Conclusions Identification of candidacy for SRH information in this setting was largely ad-hoc, but once aware of need, youth were able to identify and discriminate between multiple information sources. However, this information landscape was strongly shaped by formal provider and parent views of what youth should know and do, and peer sources limited own knowledge. Future interventions could address concerns at various points on the candidacy journey.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22595-6Health communicationSexual and reproductive healthCandidacy frameworkYouthSouth Africa |
| spellingShingle | Ntombizonke A. Gumede Siphesihle Hlongwane Vuyiswa Nxumalo Dumile Gumede Maryam Shahmanesh Janet Seeley Guy Harling Finding knowledge: how youth identify their candidacy and sources of information regarding sexual and reproductive health in rural KwaZulu-Natal. South Africa BMC Public Health Health communication Sexual and reproductive health Candidacy framework Youth South Africa |
| title | Finding knowledge: how youth identify their candidacy and sources of information regarding sexual and reproductive health in rural KwaZulu-Natal. South Africa |
| title_full | Finding knowledge: how youth identify their candidacy and sources of information regarding sexual and reproductive health in rural KwaZulu-Natal. South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Finding knowledge: how youth identify their candidacy and sources of information regarding sexual and reproductive health in rural KwaZulu-Natal. South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Finding knowledge: how youth identify their candidacy and sources of information regarding sexual and reproductive health in rural KwaZulu-Natal. South Africa |
| title_short | Finding knowledge: how youth identify their candidacy and sources of information regarding sexual and reproductive health in rural KwaZulu-Natal. South Africa |
| title_sort | finding knowledge how youth identify their candidacy and sources of information regarding sexual and reproductive health in rural kwazulu natal south africa |
| topic | Health communication Sexual and reproductive health Candidacy framework Youth South Africa |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22595-6 |
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