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| Barriers and Facilitators on Access to Gender-Based Violence Health Services among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Tanzania: Qualitative Analysis |
Caroline Mtaita,, Samuel Likindikoki, Shishira Mnjokava, Gaspar Mbita, Elvis Safary, Albrecht Jahn
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Abstract:
Background: Gender based violence (GBV) health services can offer lifesaving prevention and treatment services for GBV survivors especially for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). GBV services includes provision of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), management of physical trauma, psychological counselling and referrals to other GBV response services such as health, social and legal-justice services). Through the social worker, Health care workers (HCW) can also provide important information that may be helpful for legal bodies on prosecution of perpetrators. With all known benefits (HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health rights and mental well-being) that GBV health service response provides, the number of GBV survivors who access GBV services following violence still remains small. Objective : This study aims at understanding the perceived barriers and facilitators on access to GBV health services among AGYW in Tanzania. Methods: This was a qualitative study that used a structured in-depth interview for AGYW (15-24 years old) in Temeke and Kinondoni districts. The interview guide explored perspective on barriers and facilitators on access of GBV health services. Audio tapes were transcribed and later transcribed. Transcripts were analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results: The findings of this study include facility-based factors (stigma among HCW, availability of GBV services, negative attitudes), individual-based factors (fear and self-esteem), social-based factors (revelation of HIV sero-status, community and parental support, peer education, and media). Conclusion: Based on these results, it is paramount to strengthen existing intervention to address stigma in the community and at the facility, empower survivors to overcome fear and esteem related issues. Additionally, intensify facilitators to increase number of GBV survivors who access GBV health services.
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