The provision of contraception and STI prevention methods within the public sector to young people in the Western Cape
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Date
2025
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University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Background: There is a global recognition that prioritizing the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents is essential for their well-being and future. Access to contraception information and services is essential in preventing unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Accordingly, with the advent of a democratic South Africa, new policies were introduced to promote the sexual and reproductive health of young people. However, there is limited research on how these policies are implemented to ensure the provision of contraception to young people. The aim of this thesis was to assess how contraception and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention methods are provided to youth in the Western Cape public health sector. Methods: We used an exploratory, descriptive approach within the qualitative domain of research in this thesis. This study was conducted in an urban and rural district of the Western Cape province in South Africa. Using purposive sampling, we recruited primary healthcare and school health practitioners with experience in implementing adolescent sexual and reproductive health interventions in South Africa.