Healthcare workers’ behaviours and personal determinants affecting sexual and reproductive healthcare service provision to adolescents in South Africa

The aim of this dissertation was to provide insights into the behaviour of healthcare workers affecting adequate provision of sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH) services to adolescents in South Africa (SA). The findings show that healthcare workers in SRH services are battling with their own personal views and beliefs with regards to some SRH services that they have to provide to adolescents, and therefore have negative behaviours towards adolescents seeking these services. Healthcare workers’ negative behaviour and attitudes discourages adolescents to access and utilize SRH services, and especially young women. Providing SRH training and refresher courses to improve the nurses’ (communication) skills in SRH services are required to enhance quality of SRH services. A good adolescent-nurse relationship is necessary to facilitate adolescents’ access to and utilization of SRH services, as well as prevent adolescents from risky sexual behaviour.