Original Research

Home-based carers’ perceptions of health promotion on sexual health communication in Vhembe District

Dorah U. Ramathuba, Ntsieni S. Mashau, Augustine Tugli
Curationis | Vol 38, No 1 | a1181 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v38i1.1181 | © 2015 Dorah U. Ramathuba, Ntsieni S. Mashau, Augustine Tugli | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 17 May 2013 | Published: 05 May 2015

About the author(s)

Dorah U. Ramathuba, Department of Nursing, University of Venda, South Africa
Ntsieni S. Mashau, Department of Public Health, University of Venda, South Africa
Augustine Tugli, Department of Public Health, University of Venda, South Africa

Abstract

Background: The introduction of home-based care in rural communities in the 1980s contributed immensely toward the upliftment of the personal and environmental health of communities. Women’s groups provided health promotion skills and health education to communities and made a difference in health-related behaviour change.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the home-based carers’ perception regarding health promotion concerning sexual health communication in Vhembe district, in the context of HIV, amongst communities still rooted in their culture.

Method: A qualitative, explorative and descriptive design was used in order to understand home-based carers’ perceptions regarding health promotion on sexual health communication amongst rural communities which may adversely impact on health promotion practices. The population were home-based organisations in Vhembe. The sample was purposive and randomly selected and data were gathered through semi-structured face-to-face interviews and focus groups which determined data saturation. Open coding was used for analysis of data.

Results: The results indicated that sexual communication was absent in most relationships and was not seen as necessary amongst married couples. Socioeconomic conditions, power inequity and emotional dependence had a negative impact on decision making and sexual communication.

Conclusion: This study, therefore, recommends that educational and outreach efforts should focus on motivating change by improving the knowledge base of home-based carers. Since they are health promoters, they should be able to change the perceptions of the communities toward sexually-transmitted infections and HIV by promoting sexual health communication.


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Crossref Citations

1. Sustaining the National Health Insurance Scheme in South Africa: The Roles and Challenges of Community Health Workers
Takalani G. Tshitangano, Foluke C. Olaniyi
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doi: 10.2174/1874944501811010494