Feasibility of implementing an integrated hybrid model of service delivery for AGYW sexual and reproductive health in South Africa
Medical Research Council
Wits Health Consortium (Pty) Ltd
Adolescent girls and young women face significant health challenges such as HIV infection, unwanted teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. However sexual and reproductive health service utilization remains low among this age group. Hence, there is a need to focus on determining optimal service delivery models that are responsive to current barriers faced by AGYW. This study aims to determine the feasibility of implementing an integrated hybrid model of service delivery for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) sexual and reproductive health (SRH) at selected facilities in South Africa over a 24 month period. The service delivery model proposed will be a hybrid model comprising of both integration of contraceptive, STI/HIV transmission prevention and mental health screening with linkage by health connectors to care services for HIV treatment, PrEP and psychosocial support. Prior to implementing such an intervention, the feasibility of implementation needs to be determined through determining acceptability (client and provider), demand, practicality and adaptations needed. Hence, the principle research questions that the study aims to address include: (1)What level of service integration for SRH already exists at selected health facilities for adolescent girls and young women?, (2) Would an integrated SRH service be acceptable to health care providers and adolescent girls and young women?, (3) Would SRH service integration be practical in terms of time, space, workload, task-shifting, training and resources in a limited resource setting? and (4) What system changes are needed to implement an integrated hybrid model. This study will inform the development of a full trial to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated hybrid model of service delivery for AGYW SRH at community health care level.
7.1 Individual care needs / Research Grant