Health Providers’ Response to Female Adolescent Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Demand Side Barriers in the Utilization of Support Services in Urban Low-Income Communities of Nigeria

Abstract

Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) are often hindered in their quest to access quality healthcare. This has a significant effect towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal SDG Target 3.7. to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services. This study is focused on identifying some of the demand side barriers in accessing health care services, particularly among young girls who are survivors of SGBV within intimate relationships in poor urban areas in Nigeria. The study used an ethnographic approach to solicit information from health providers, adolescents, and young women (AYW) in 10 low-income communities in two major cities in Nigeria, Ibadan and Lagos. Findings showed that there are structural limitations within the primary health care (PHC) system that posed a great challenge for survivors of SGBV to access services. Some of these include non-existing counseling services, a lack of rehabilitation centers, poor referral, and a lack of training for health providers in handling survivors of SGBV. There is also a lack of skills among health service providers that have negative influence on support services to survivors of SGBV. On the demand side, poor knowledge of possible health seeking pathways, a lack of education, and social support are barriers to accessing appropriate services among adolescent and young SGBV survivors. The study concluded that integrated services at the PHC level should include adequate and timely treatment for survivors of SGBV and targeted intervention to upscale skills and knowledge of health care providers.

An Intersectional Analysis of Gender-Specific Barriers to Adolescent Health Literacy in South Africa

“…This study found that gender-specific experiences, such as gender-based violence (GBV), can have a negative impact on adolescents' health literacy. Because of fear, shame, or a lack of support, girls who have experienced gender-based violence or stigma are more likely to be hesitant to seek health information or care (Ikuteyijo et al, 2023). This can result in a lack of knowledge about available health services and resources.…”

“…Young people may be hesitant to seek healthcare services, including health education materials, due to stigma, discrimination, and fear of judgment (World Bank, 2022;Francis & DePalma, 2014). This reluctance can lead to delayed care (Stavropoulou, 2019), missed preventive measures (Ikuteyijo et al, 2023), and poorer health outcomes (Sumbane & Makua, 2023), all of which can be linked to lower health literacy.…”