Facilitators and Barriers to accessing antenatal care experienced by adolescents in Primary Health Care facilities at the City of Johannesburg district in the Gauteng Province

Abstract

Introduction One of the most important aspects of international efforts to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is the availability of antenatal care (ANC) services for adolescents who are pregnant. Due to the increased risks of mother and fetal morbidity and mortality, adolescent pregnancy is one of the numerous public health issues that exist both in South Africa and globally. Therefore, this study examined the experiences of pregnant adolescents in accessing ANC services in an urban setting in South Africa. Aim The aim of this study was to explore the factors that enable or hinder pregnant adolescents from accessing ANC services in two PHC facilities in the City of Johannesburg district, Gauteng Province. Methods An exploratory qualitative research design was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 pregnant adolescents aged 16 to 19 years, attending ANC services at the selected PHC facilities. A thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results On one hand, pregnant adolescents face both personal and systemic barriers to accessing ANC, such as: stigma, lack of family support, and negative interactions with healthcare staff. Structural issues like rigid clinic hours, absence of youth-focused education, and perceived low- quality services further hinder access. On the other hand, factors that encouraged ANC use included nearby clinics, free healthcare services, and individual motivation. The findings also noted that adolescent pregnancy often disrupts education, especially in cases of unsupportive families and restrictive school policies. Conclusion To improve ANC for adolescents, services must be more supportive and inclusive. This includes training healthcare workers, involving families and communities, and making health and education systems more adolescent-friendly. These steps are crucial for increasing ANC use and improving health outcomes for young mothers and their babies.