Community leaders’ perspectives on facilitators and inhibitors of health promotion among the youth in rural South Africa

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Date

2017

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: There are a number of factors that influence health promotion activities among the youth. This study sought to gain a comprehensive understanding of the facilitators and inhibitors of health promotion among the youth from the perspectives of community leaders in a rural setting in South Africa. METHODS: The study adopted an exploratory, descriptive and contextual qualitative approach involving community leaders in rural South Africa. Data saturation occurred after individual interviews with 21 participants. Data analysis employed the principles of content analysis. RESULTS: We found that facilitators of health promotion were access to education on the benefits of health promotion activities, efforts of organizations and community leaders/teachers, access to health care services and engaging in physical activities, and youth motivation and positive role modelling. The themes that described the inhibitors of health promotion were inadequate recreational and health facilities and health personnel, the impact of stringent religious doctrines, unemployment, social vices and poor parenting. CONCLUSION: We concluded that there is the need to implement more engaging activities and opportunities for the youth and parents in rural communities to enhance health promotion.

Description

Keywords

Health promotion, Young adults, Qualitative research, Rural community

Citation

Aziato, L. et al. (2017). Community leaders’ perspectives on facilitators and inhibitors of health promotion among the youth in rural South Africa. International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences, 7: 119–125