Transgender population's experiences with regard to accessing reproductive health care in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa: A qualitative study
Afr. j. prim. health care fam. med. (Online)
; 11(1): 1-9, 2019. tab
Article
em En
| AIM
| ID: biblio-1257669
Biblioteca responsável:
CG1.1
ABSTRACT
Background:
The transgender population has unique health risks, including increased risk of mental illness, substance abuse, suicide and a high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Worldwide studies indicate that this population is marginalised and faces barriers in accessing health care. In South Africa, there is limited information and research on the transgender population's interaction with health services.Aim:
The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of the transgender population in accessing health care facilities for sexual and reproductive needs.Setting:
The study took place in KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.Methods:
A qualitative study combining phenomenological and critical ethnographic approaches was conducted to explore the experiences of the transgender population in the health care setting. Critical ethnography was chosen because it is an emancipatory method that highlights the plight of disenfranchised groups, and phenomenology was used to illuminate experiences of the transgender population. Purposive snowball sampling was applied to select nine transgender participants who had experiences of contact with a health care setting. Data collection was performed through semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion.Results:
Participants provided details about the paucity of facilities, resources and targeted programmes to cater for the transgender populations' sexual and reproductive health needs. The participants engage in high-risk behaviour, comprising unprotected sex and use of cross-gender hormones without medical supervision. Furthermore, the participants reported experiences of hostile and discriminatory behaviour by healthcare workers.Conclusion:
It emerged that there is a paucity of resources and knowledge to provide appropriate health care services to the transgender population, resulting in adverse experiences. Policies on transgender care and training of health workers will contribute towards improvement of health care access for the transgender population
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Base de dados:
AIM
Assunto principal:
África do Sul
/
Pessoas Transgênero
Tipo de estudo:
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
País como assunto:
Africa
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2019
Tipo de documento:
Article