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A Social Ecological Approach to Exploring Barriers to Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health Services among Couples Living with HIV in Southern Malawi
Joint Authors
Maluwa, Alfred
Gombachika, Belinda Chimphamba
Fjeld, Heidi
Malata, Address
Sundby, Johanne
Chirwa, Ellen
Source
Issue
Vol. 2012, Issue 2012 (31 Dec. 2012), pp.1-13, 13 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2012-11-26
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
13
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
With wide access to antiretroviral therapy, people living with HIV are living longer.
The reduction in the mother-to-child transmission of HIV has encouraged some people living with HIV to have children and remarry.
However, some continue to have limited access to sexual and reproductive health services.
The study explores barriers encountered by couples living with HIV in accessing sexual and reproductive health services using the social ecological model.
Data were collected using in-depth interviews with twenty couples purposively sampled in matrilineal Chiradzulu and patrilineal Chikhwawa communities in Malawi from July to December 2010.
Data were analyzed using framework analysis method.
The study findings identify barriers across the five levels of the social ecological model indicating that the use of sexual and reproductive health services is influenced by diverse factors.
We suggest three main areas for primary intervention: services must be located closer to their communities and integrated with existing antiretroviral services.
In addition, information gatekeepers, both formal and informal, should be empowered with knowledge about sexual and reproductive health, including HIV and AIDS.
Finally, there is a need to coordinate the flow of reproductive health, HIV, and AIDS information between Malawi Ministry of Health and formal and informal organizations.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Gombachika, Belinda Chimphamba& Fjeld, Heidi& Chirwa, Ellen& Sundby, Johanne& Malata, Address& Maluwa, Alfred. 2012. A Social Ecological Approach to Exploring Barriers to Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health Services among Couples Living with HIV in Southern Malawi. ISRN Public Health،Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-501142
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Gombachika, Belinda Chimphamba…[et al.]. A Social Ecological Approach to Exploring Barriers to Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health Services among Couples Living with HIV in Southern Malawi. ISRN Public Health No. 2012 (2012), pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-501142
American Medical Association (AMA)
Gombachika, Belinda Chimphamba& Fjeld, Heidi& Chirwa, Ellen& Sundby, Johanne& Malata, Address& Maluwa, Alfred. A Social Ecological Approach to Exploring Barriers to Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health Services among Couples Living with HIV in Southern Malawi. ISRN Public Health. 2012. Vol. 2012, no. 2012, pp.1-13.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-501142
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-501142