Addressing sexual health concerns in Tanzania: perceived barriers among healthcare professionals and students in the “training for health professionals” study

Agnes F. Massae, Lucy R. Mgopa, Zobeida E. Bonilla, Inari Mohammed, B. R.Simon Rosser, Stella E. Mushy, Michael W. Ross, Dorkasi L. Mwakawanga, Ever Mkonyi, Gift G. Lukumay, James Wadley, Dickson A. Mkoka, Maria Trent

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Little is known about the factors that may prevent healthcare professionals as key stakeholders from exploring sexual health issues in Tanzania. This study examined healthcare professionals’ perspectives on the barriers to addressing sexual health concerns in practice. In June 2019, we conducted an exploratory qualitative study involving 18 focus group discussions among healthcare professionals (n = 60) and students (n = 61) in the health professions (midwifery, nursing, medicine) in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Study participants and design were purposively selected and stratified. We used a focus group discussion guide in Kiswahili. Data were transcribed in Kiswahili and translated into English. A thematic analysis approach was used for data analysis. Two themes were developed: (1) differences between health care professional and patient socio-demographic characteristics; (2) health care system and patients’ backgrounds, such as communication barriers, lack of confidentiality and privacy within health facilities, type of clinical presentation and complaint, patient behaviours, and their clinical background. Several key barriers prevented sexual health communication between healthcare professionals and patients, affecting the quality of sexual health service delivery. Additional sexual health clinical training is warranted for health professions students and professionals to optimise sexual health care delivery in a culturally conservative country like Tanzania.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1217-1231
Number of pages15
JournalCulture, Health and Sexuality
Volume26
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Keywords

  • Barriers
  • healthcare professionals
  • sexual health concerns

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Journal Article

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