Table 2 Themes and sub-themes identified
Theme | Sub-theme |
|---|---|
Understanding of Sexual Health including sexually transmitted infections and HIV | Myths and misconceptions Knowledge of HIV among adolescent girls and young women (AGWY) Barriers to education provision |
Understanding of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) | Understanding of consent Understanding of health and rights Lack of knowledge about SRHR Lack of knowledge preventing redress of rights Lack of knowledge as a barrier to healthcare Understanding of SRHR by stakeholders Sources of knowledge for AGWY Sources of knowledge for stakeholders |
Sources of support | Support whilst menstruating or sick Disintegration of family system of support Role of peers Source of support in case of harassment Where to go for justice |
Experience of healthcare | Respect needed to improve healthcare Positive experience of healthcare Needs unrecognised among AGWY Different treatment if poor Use of non-traditional medicine due to fear or cost Lack of resources or medications Lack of psychological support Poor service at hospital |
Age, maturity and legal age | Age at maturity Being treated differently due to age Stigma due to age Education needed to support young people |
Violations of rights and context | People with money are treated differently Attempted corruption Violations within healthcare Breach of confidentiality Stigma associated with violation Normalisation of sexual assault Taking advantage of AGYW Poverty as a driver for rights violations Power imbalance as a driver for rights violations |
Barriers to justice | Barrier to justice Prioritising reputation Barrier to justice: Cost/corruption Experiences of corruption Barrier to justice: Stigma Health professionals not testifying following rape Threats from violators Concern from victim they will be left without support Police not doing their job properly Only school attendees taken seriously |
Role of parents | Parents forcing child marriage Parents do not believe in family planning Parents not open with children Belief that children will copy parents’ behaviours Home environment as a driver for violation Money as a driver for child marriage |
Services available | Services available for HIV Services available from interviewees Traditional healers |
Barriers to healthcare access | Lack of husband’s presence as a barrier to access Fear as a barrier to healthcare Distance as a barrier to healthcare Stigma as a barrier to access Husband as barrier to access Parents as a barrier to access Cost as a barrier to access Language as a barrier Rumours as a barrier to care |
Consequences of pregnancy | Thrown out due to pregnancy School dropout due to pregnancy |
Drivers for violations | Alcohol and drugs as driver for violations Belief that AGWY dressed inappropriately Money as a driver for exploitation |
Redress of rights and challenges | Informal redress of rights Delay in redress Length of sentence felt to be too short |
Sources of information regarding SRHR and services and areas for improvement / challenge | How AGWY know about service availability Need to educate boys as well as girls Misconceptions among stakeholders Resistance to learning among AGYW Slum context for learning Feelings that AGYW will not do as told Need for education Need to advertise services more |
Changes needed to allow redress of rights | Need for empowerment Government needs to change policy/law |
Suggestions for services | Training for stakeholders More funding Stop corruption Increase service availability Empower women |