Men’s Reproductive Health Services in the Northern Cape,
Date
2011-04-19
Authors
Mabote, Pheya Alinah
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Abstract
Very little research has been conducted on men’s reproductive health
services in South Africa. The 1994 International Conference on Population
and Development (ICPD) and the Fourth World Conference on Women in
Beijing provided a foundation for expanding reproductive health services to
include men.
Many men and programme planners lack a clear understanding of what men’s
reproductive health means. Services for men in South Africa are typically
housed in settings where staff lack training in male sexuality and reproductive
health.
This research study was conducted in the Northern Cape. Three sets of data
were used. The researcher undertook a situational analysis with key
informants in order to understand the situation, services and needs for men’s
sexual and reproductive health, identify barriers and obstacles to good quality
reproductive health care and analysed existing plans and reports. Focus
groups with men were conducted and key informants of the Department of
Health were interviewed.
The study has assessed progress made since the implementation of the
National Health Plan of South Africa and has provided key future
recommendations for the realization of ICPD adopted by South Africa in 1994.
The findings of this research strongly emphasizes that all policies,
programmes, information and services need to reflect the social realities of
men and how this affects their health. The outcome of this research will be the
development of a model that will serve as a framework for programme
development and service delivery that will constitute basic reproductive health
care for men.
The study recommends that the Northern Cape Department of Health must
design a reproductive health programme that integrates male health care
including impotence, STIs, infertility and other conditions. Special advocacy
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strategies and messages should be developed to target men to raise
awareness about their involvement in reproductive health
This broader definition of male health will make it easier for men to walk into a
health facility
Description
MM - P&DM
Keywords
Reproductive health, Men's reproductive health, Health