Background: Counselling is crucial to provide support to pregnant adolescents during these challenging times. Adolescent pregnancy has significant global implications. It endangers the lives of the mother and the unborn child, contributing to maternal and child morbidity and mortality rates. Furthermore, it threatens the achievement of sustainable development goals of ending poverty (Goal 1), zero hunger (Goal 2), providing good health care (Goal 3), quality education (Goal 4), empowerment of women and girls (Goal 5), providing decent jobs and promoting economic growth (Goal 8). Community health workers (CHWs) play a role in empowering adolescents through counselling skills, thus promoting informed decision- making for better outcomes.
Aim: The study aims to evaluate the counselling skills of CHWs in
their efforts to support pregnant adolescents (PA) in Limpopo province.
Setting: The research was carried out with CHWs in the Mopani and
Vhembe districts of the Limpopo province in South Africa.
Methods: A quantitative descriptive approach was used to evaluate
CHWs’ counselling skills for PAs in Limpopo. The study included CHWs who were
actively involved in addressing AP issues within the community. A sample of 81
respondents was selected using simple random sampling. Ethical approval was
obtained. Data were collected from July to October 2022 using a questionnaire
guided by the Theory of Reasoned Action. Descriptive statistics were analysed
using Statistical Package for Social Scientists version 24. The questionnaire’s
validity was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, resulting in a correlation
coefficient of 0.710.
Results: Most of the participants were from the Mopani district
(63%), while the remaining (32%) were from the Vhembe district. Females
constituted many participants (87.7%), while males accounted for only 9% with
1.2% not responding. The study identified significant variations in counselling
recommendations. Preparation: Using private space with fewer distractions
showed considerable variability (standard deviation = 0.218). Introduction: High variability was
observed in using the SOLER method (standard deviation = 0.316). Working phase: Suggesting rather than
advising had notable variability (standard deviation = 0.396). Termination: Avoiding abrupt endings and
informing clients about the session’s conclusion demonstrated variability
(standard deviation = 0.283). Additionally, the majority (64%) of the
participants found record-keeping unnecessary, which demonstrated the highest
variability (standard deviation = 0.482).
Conclusion: Counselling plays a crucial role in positively
impacting the lives of PAs and their unborn children. The study revealed CHWs’
proficiency in counselling techniques and emphasised the importance of
following the counselling stages.
Author
(s) Details
Rakgadi G. Malapela
Department of Health Studies, School of Social Sciences, University of
South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.
Sheillah H. Mboweni
Department of Health Studies, School of Social Sciences, University of
South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.
Patrone R. Risenga
Department of Health Studies, School of Social Sciences, University of
South Africa, Pretoria, South Africa.
Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mmrnp/v10/2540
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