Accessing Sexual and Reproductive Health Information and Services: A Mixed Methods Study of Young Women’s Needs and Experiences in Soweto, South Africa

Young women and girls in South Africa are at high risk of unintended pregnancy and HIV. Previous studies have reported barriers to contraceptive and other sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services among young women in this context. We aimed to assess young women’s SRH knowledge and experiences and to determine how they get SRH information and services in Soweto, South Africa using quantitative and qualitative methods. Young women, aged 18-24, recruited from primary health clinics and a shopping mall, reported that they have access to SRH information and know where to obtain services. However there are challenges to accessing and utilizing information and services including providers’ unsupportive attitudes, uneven power dynamics in relationships and communication issues with parents and community members. There is a need to assist young women in understanding the significance of SRH information. They need access to age-appropriate, youth-friendly services in order to have healthy sexual experiences. Keywords: HIV, gender-based violence, contraception, abortio

Studying the impact of ocean eddies on the ecosystem of the Prince Edward Islands: DEIMEC ll

The Dynamics of Eddy Impacts on Marion’s Ecosystem Study (DEIMEC) programme was begun in 2002 with the aim of understanding the importance of the oceanic, upstream environment to the ecosystem of the Prince Edward Islands. This island group consists of two small volcanic islands and provides many opportunities for studying ecological and evolutionary processes, for monitoring ecological changes in relation to global climate change and for conserving a unique component of the planet’s biological diversity

Physical and biological variability in the Antarctic Polar Frontal Zone: report on research cruise 103 of the MV SA Agulhas

A detailed hydrographic and biological survey was carried out in the region of the South-west Indian Ridge during April 2002. Hydrographic data revealed that the Andrew Bain Fracture Zone, centred at 30oE, 50oS, functions as an important choke point to the flow of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, resulting in the convergence of the Antarctic Polar Front (APF) and the southern branch of the Sub-Antarctic Front (SSAF). Total chlorophyll-a concentration and zooplankton biomass were highest at stations occupied in the vicinity of two frontal features represented by the APF and SSAF. These data suggest that the region of the South-west Indian Ridge is an area of elevated biological activity and probably acts as an important offshore feeding area for the top predators on the Prince Edward Islands

Assessment of Service Availability and Health Care Workers’ Opinions about Young Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health in Soweto, South Africa

Young women in South Africa experience high HIV and unintended pregnancy rates. Health care workers’ (HCWs’) opinions about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues impact young women’s ability to access SRH services. We explored HCW opinions through interviews with a purposive sample of 29 HCWs in three primary health clinics in Soweto, South Africa and examined service availability through facility assessments. Most HCWs believed young women should not have sex before marriage and thought that young women ignore information they receive about HIV and pregnancy prevention. HCWs acknowledged outside factors influencing young women’s ability to protect themselves. Most thought injectables were the most appropriate contraception for young women; all recognized the importance of condoms for dual protection. Some services were only reported to be provided to those over 18 years. HCWs may benefit from workshops providing technical and policy information and values clarification exercises highlighting the impact of opinions on service provision.Les jeunes femmes en Afrique du Sud connaissent de taux élevés du VIH et de grossesse non voulues. Les opinions des membres du personnel soignant (MPS) sur les problèmes de la santé sexuelle et de reproduction (SSR) influencent la capacité des jeunes femmes d’avoir accès aux services de la SSR. Nous avons exploré les opinions des MPS à travers les interviews en profondeur avec un échantillon calculé de 29 MPS dans trois cliniques de santé primaire à Soweto, Afrique du Sud et nous avons examiné la disponibilité des services à travers les évaluations des établissements. La plupart des MPS ont cru que les jeunes ne devraient pas avoir des rapports sexuels avant le mariage et ont cru que les jeunes femmes ignorent les informations concernant le VIH et la prévention de la grossesse. Les MPS ont reconnu les facteurs extérieurs qui influent sur la capacité des jeunes femmes de se protéger. La plupart croyaient que les injectables constituaient la contraception la plus appropriée pour les jeunes femmes ; toutes les femmes reconnaissaient l’importance des préservatifs pour une double protection. Certains services ont été rendus aux femmes qui avaient plus de 18 ans. Les MPS peuvent profiter des ateliers qui donnent des informations sur les techniques et la politique ainsi que les exercices sur la clarification de valeurs qui ne mettent pas en lumière les influences des opinions sur l’assurance des services