Browsing by Author "Mohamed, Suraya"
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Item Adolescents’ utilization of reproductive health services in Kaduna, Nigeria: the role of stigma(Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, 2020) Nmadua, Awawu Grace; Mohamed, SurayaThe need to improve the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and rights of adolescents is increasingly acknowledged. Unfortunately, many adolescents in Nigeria face significant barriers to accessing quality sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS), despite national policies promoting SRHS for adolescents. This paper explores the stigma influencing access to and utilization of SRHS among adolescents in Kaduna, Northwestern Nigeria. This qualitative study conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 adolescents and three nurses. Thematic analysis was employed for the study. The findings indicate that although the adolescents knew the importance of accessing SRHS, they were not inclined to utilize the services because of stigma.Item Barriers to adolescents' access and utilisation of reproductive health services in a community in north-western nigeria: A qualitative exploratory study in primary care(OpenJournals Publishing AOSIS (Pty) Ltd, 2020) Mohamed, Suraya; Nmadu, Awawu Grace; Usman, Nafisat OhuneneThere is a dearth of qualitative studies exploring in-depth barriers that adolescents face in accessing and utilising reproductive health services (RHS) in Nigerian primary healthcare centres. Aim: This study explored the barriers hindering adolescents' access to and utilisation of RHS in primary healthcare centres. Setting: This study was conducted in three primary healthcare centres in Kaduna North Local government area, Nigeria. Methods: This study used an exploratory descriptive qualitative design. Fourteen adolescents and three RHS providers were selected and interviewed. The data collection methods included individual in-depth interviews with adolescents and key informant interviews with service providers. Interviews were conducted between January 2017 and April 2017. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: This study identified three thematic barriers to adolescent's utilisation of RHS. These included individual, social and health system barriers. Individual factors included the following: inadequate knowledge about RHS and poor attitudes of adolescents towards RHS; social factors such as parental influence, community and religious norms, financial constraints and stigma; and health system factors such as poor attitudes of service providers and inconvenient health facility opening hours hindered adolescents from utilising RHS.Item External stakeholders and health promoting schools: complexity and practice in South Africa(Emerald, 2014) Preiser, Rika; Struthers, Patricia; Mohamed, Suraya; Cameron, Neil; Lawrence, EstellePurpose: This paper examines the role of two higher education institutions in the Western Cape, South Africa, and how their initiatives and collaboration brought about a particular Health Promoting Schools (HPS) program in a resource poor setting. The aim of this paper is to reflect on the importance of the role that external systemic actors and stakeholders can play in the process of designing and implementing HPS programs in resource poor settings. Design/methodology/approach: In this paper a complex systems approach is employed to describe two different participatory methods of engagement with HPS by higher education institutions. On the one hand, engagement took place in terms of a formal and funded project, directed at the organizational level of the school, with capacity building as its aim. On the other hand, engagement was initiated informally (as part of a service learning project) via collaboration with the formal project, directed at the individual level of learners in the school. Findings: In recognizing the complex nature of planning and implementing HPS programs, the paper demonstrates that HPS approaches could benefit from engaging with resources outside the ambit of institutional health and educational policies and structures. Originality/value: By acknowledging the systemic nature of implementing HPS strategies, novel collaborations emerge as a result. The paper highlights the important role that external stakeholders such as higher education institutions play in creating and sustaining tailor-made HPS programs for schools based in resource poor settings.Item “The pen is a powerful weapon; it can make you change”: The value of using reflective writing with adolescents(Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa, 2017) Wegner, Lisa; Struthers, Patricia; Mohamed, SurayaINTRODUCTION: Adolescent programmes have been criticised for implementing activities but not allowing opportunities for reflection. One way that reflection can be facilitated is through writing. This paper describes the use of reflective writing with adolescents as part of a health promoting schools project in Cape Town, South Africa. METHOD: The project included an annual leadership camp for adolescent learners. A descriptive, qualitative study was conducted to describe how the learners responded to writing as a means to express their feelings about, and experiences of, the camp. Thirty learners participated in two writing sessions resulting in 53 written reflections that were analysed thematically. FINDINGS: Three themes emerged: (1) Reflections on self; (2) Reflections on self in relation to others; and (3) Reflections on writing. Participants reflected on connecting with complex, positive and negative feelings, and felt that reflective writing had enabled them to express themselves with courage and honesty, connect with themselves, identify weaknesses and let go of negative emotions and feelings. Furthermore, writing was perceived as being non-judgmental, providing a sense of relief and release, and evoking emotions. CONCLUSION: Reflective writing enabled the participants to acknowledge personal changes and development, and provided insight into their feelings and experiences. This study shows the value of reflective writing for use by health professionals such as occupational therapists, as a tool for empowerment in the pursuit of health and wellbeing.Item “We can’t handle things we don’t know about”: perceived neurorehabilitation challenges for Malawian paediatric cerebral malaria survivors(Springer Nature, 2020) Mboma, Sebastian M.; Boubour, Alexandra; Mohamed, SurayaBackground: We sought to identify perceptions of neurorehabilitation challenges for paediatric cerebral malaria (CM) survivors post-hospital discharge at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH) in Blantyre, Malawi. Methods: An exploratory approach was used to qualitatively investigate the perceived neurorehabilitation challenges for paediatric CM survivors. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). Eighteen data-gathering sessions were conducted with 38 total participants, including 3 FGDs with 23 primary caregivers, 11 IDIs with healthcare workers at QECH, and 4 IDIs with community-based rehabilitation workers (CRWs). Results: FGDs revealed that caregivers lack important knowledge about CM and fear recurrence of CM in their children. Post-CM children and families experience substantial stigma and sociocultural barriers to integrating into their community and accessing neurorehabilitative care.