Perception of public health midwives on adolescent and youth friendly health service: Sri Lankan experience

<p><strong>Introduction:</strong> One fourth of the Sri Lankan population consists of adolescents and youth. Public health midwife (PHM) is the grassroot level key health care provider in the field for adolescents.</p><p>Objectives: To explore PHMs' perceptions on t...

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Main Authors: P. V. S. Chiranthika Vithana, R. I. W. Nilaweera, A. J. M. Basnayaka, Chamanthi J Jayasundera, H. M. I. Handagiripathira, A. N. J. Barnasuriya, B. M. N. D. Batugedara
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka 2021-11-01
Series:Journal of the College of Community Physicians
Subjects:
Online Access:https://jccpsl.sljol.info/articles/8406
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author P. V. S. Chiranthika Vithana
R. I. W. Nilaweera
A. J. M. Basnayaka
Chamanthi J Jayasundera
H. M. I. Handagiripathira
A. N. J. Barnasuriya
B. M. N. D. Batugedara
author_facet P. V. S. Chiranthika Vithana
R. I. W. Nilaweera
A. J. M. Basnayaka
Chamanthi J Jayasundera
H. M. I. Handagiripathira
A. N. J. Barnasuriya
B. M. N. D. Batugedara
author_sort P. V. S. Chiranthika Vithana
collection DOAJ
description <p><strong>Introduction:</strong> One fourth of the Sri Lankan population consists of adolescents and youth. Public health midwife (PHM) is the grassroot level key health care provider in the field for adolescents.</p><p>Objectives: To explore PHMs' perceptions on their role and the need of improving adolescent and youth friendly health services (AYFHS) in Sri Lanka.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> Four focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted among 38 PHMs in Gampaha District with 9-10 midwives for each discussion. Two experts conducted the FGDs ensuring privacy and confidentiality after obtaining informed verbal consent using FGD guide. Discussions were audio-recorded and non-verbal responses were noted down. Each session lasted 60-90 minutes. Recordings of FGDs were transcribed. Thematic analysis was conducted by coding and identifying categories and themes with constant comparison. Results were presented in a narrative form.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Results:</strong> All PHMs identified the need for providing AYFHS in the field ensuring easy accessibility. However, opinion on their role on AYFHS was substandard. Domiciliary care provided by PHM was identified as a major strength. Perceived workload of PHM, inadequate training, lack of supportive supervision, insufficient facilities in centres, poor health seeking behaviours and lack of awareness on available services among adolescents were identified as challenges. Reducing of PHM workload, capacity building on AYFHS, centres with improved facilities, a better monitoring mechanism with supportive supervisions and inter-sectoral coordination were recommended.</p><p> </p><strong>Conclusions &amp; Recommendations:</strong> Interventions focused on supporting PHMs on AYFHS and strengthening quality AYFHS in the field with increased client demand were identified as priorities.
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spelling doaj.art-55deb9831b784cbab53a2c4319363bfa2022-12-22T02:10:39ZengCollege of Community Physicians of Sri LankaJournal of the College of Community Physicians1391-31742579-14512021-11-0127342042710.4038/jccpsl.v27i3.84065989Perception of public health midwives on adolescent and youth friendly health service: Sri Lankan experienceP. V. S. Chiranthika Vithana0R. I. W. Nilaweera1A. J. M. Basnayaka2Chamanthi J Jayasundera3H. M. I. Handagiripathira4A. N. J. Barnasuriya5B. M. N. D. Batugedara6Ministry of HealthMinistry of HealthMinistry of HealthMinistry of HealthMinistry of HealthMinistry of HealthMinistry of Health<p><strong>Introduction:</strong> One fourth of the Sri Lankan population consists of adolescents and youth. Public health midwife (PHM) is the grassroot level key health care provider in the field for adolescents.</p><p>Objectives: To explore PHMs' perceptions on their role and the need of improving adolescent and youth friendly health services (AYFHS) in Sri Lanka.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> Four focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted among 38 PHMs in Gampaha District with 9-10 midwives for each discussion. Two experts conducted the FGDs ensuring privacy and confidentiality after obtaining informed verbal consent using FGD guide. Discussions were audio-recorded and non-verbal responses were noted down. Each session lasted 60-90 minutes. Recordings of FGDs were transcribed. Thematic analysis was conducted by coding and identifying categories and themes with constant comparison. Results were presented in a narrative form.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Results:</strong> All PHMs identified the need for providing AYFHS in the field ensuring easy accessibility. However, opinion on their role on AYFHS was substandard. Domiciliary care provided by PHM was identified as a major strength. Perceived workload of PHM, inadequate training, lack of supportive supervision, insufficient facilities in centres, poor health seeking behaviours and lack of awareness on available services among adolescents were identified as challenges. Reducing of PHM workload, capacity building on AYFHS, centres with improved facilities, a better monitoring mechanism with supportive supervisions and inter-sectoral coordination were recommended.</p><p> </p><strong>Conclusions &amp; Recommendations:</strong> Interventions focused on supporting PHMs on AYFHS and strengthening quality AYFHS in the field with increased client demand were identified as priorities.https://jccpsl.sljol.info/articles/8406adolescent health, public health midwives, strengths, barriers, adolescent and youth friendly health services
spellingShingle P. V. S. Chiranthika Vithana
R. I. W. Nilaweera
A. J. M. Basnayaka
Chamanthi J Jayasundera
H. M. I. Handagiripathira
A. N. J. Barnasuriya
B. M. N. D. Batugedara
Perception of public health midwives on adolescent and youth friendly health service: Sri Lankan experience
Journal of the College of Community Physicians
adolescent health, public health midwives, strengths, barriers, adolescent and youth friendly health services
title Perception of public health midwives on adolescent and youth friendly health service: Sri Lankan experience
title_full Perception of public health midwives on adolescent and youth friendly health service: Sri Lankan experience
title_fullStr Perception of public health midwives on adolescent and youth friendly health service: Sri Lankan experience
title_full_unstemmed Perception of public health midwives on adolescent and youth friendly health service: Sri Lankan experience
title_short Perception of public health midwives on adolescent and youth friendly health service: Sri Lankan experience
title_sort perception of public health midwives on adolescent and youth friendly health service sri lankan experience
topic adolescent health, public health midwives, strengths, barriers, adolescent and youth friendly health services
url https://jccpsl.sljol.info/articles/8406
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