ArticleBMC public health2025
Finding knowledge: how youth identify their candidacy and sources of information regarding sexual and reproductive health in rural KwaZulu-Natal. South Africa.
Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Determinants of PrEP Delivery Platform Choice in Adolescents and Young People: The Fast-PrEP Project in Cape Town, South Africa.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2026Article
- Talking about PrEP: South African adolescent girls and young women's communication about pre-exposure prophylaxis with partners, parents and peers.Frontiers in reproductive health · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundDespite efforts by government, non-governmental organizations, local communities and families, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) behavior and outcomes among adolescents and young adults ("youth") remain of concern in South Africa. Improving outcomes requires better understanding of how youth navigate and engage with potential sources of SRH information, so interventions can align with the contextual landscape.
methodsWe conducted secondary analysis of qualitative data, including interviews and group discussions, from five studies conducted in uMkhanyakude district, KwaZulu-Natal. We adapted the existing Candidacy Framework from its original focus on service use to apply to communication. We re-coded the transcripts using a thematic coding framework.
resultsYouth identified their candidacy for SRH information when they could not understand what others were saying about sexual health, when they feared illness in themselves or significant others, and when experiencing a health issue. Participants expected different types of information from healthcare providers, family members and peers, and had a nuanced understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each source. Stigma related to youths' SRH and their precarious socioeconomic circumstances limited channels for communication and the ability for shared interpersonal knowledge to impact health behavior.
conclusionsIdentification of candidacy for SRH information in this setting was largely ad-hoc, but once aware of need, youth were able to identify and discriminate between multiple information sources. However, this information landscape was strongly shaped by formal provider and parent views of what youth should know and do, and peer sources limited own knowledge. Future interventions could address concerns at various points on the candidacy journey.
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