Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices towards Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Girls among Colombian Healthcare Professionals

This research aims to determine knowledge and attitudes towards sexual and reproductive health and rights of adolescent girls among healthcare professionals working at Café Madrid and Colorados health centers, which are highly vulnerable neighborhoods in Bucaramanga, Santander. To this end, in-depth interviews were conducted with a total of eight healthcare professionals from the above health centers using a script based on WHO recommendations on adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights and recommendations by the DAPRE-Presidential Council for Women’s Equity—CedaVida Foundation. Healthcare professionals were found to have proper technical and legal knowledge, especially regarding comprehensive care packages for survivors, as well as a gender perspective in their professional practice aimed at achieving equity. Knowledge and experience with sexual and reproductive health and rights provide insight into women’s health from unrestrained choice of contraceptive methods to procedures such as abortion within the current legal framework. Their professional work is also affected by potential barriers that may limit their actions when putting their knowledge into practice.

[1]  A. Aprile,et al.  Pharmacological Abortion in a Pandemic: An Italian Medico-Legal Perspective , 2021, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

[2]  C. García-Moreno,et al.  Knowledge, attitudes and practices of health care providers trained in responding to violence against women: a pre- and post-intervention study , 2021, BMC Public Health.

[3]  G. Jakiel,et al.  The Influence of Abortion Law on the Frequency of Pregnancy Terminations—A Retrospective Comparative Study , 2021, International journal of environmental research and public health.

[4]  Hsing-Chen Yang.  What Should Be Taught and What Is Taught: Integrating Gender into Medical and Health Professions Education for Medical and Nursing Students , 2020, International journal of environmental research and public health.

[5]  C. Ngoma,et al.  TOPIC: Knowledge, Screening and Reporting Practices of Health Professionals towards Gender Based Violence among Women in Kabwe District, Zambia , 2020 .

[6]  I. Roque,et al.  METODOLOGÍA DE LA INVESTIGACIÓN , 2019, Cultura de emprendimiento corporativo en las micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas colombianas.

[7]  Eduardo Díaz Amado,et al.  Obstacles and challenges following the partial decriminalisation of abortion in Colombia , 2010, Reproductive health matters.

[8]  A. Faúndes,et al.  The medical profession and the defense and promotion of sexual and reproductive rights , 2008, International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics.

[9]  V. Braun,et al.  Using thematic analysis in psychology , 2006 .

[10]  C. Dolea,et al.  World Health Organization , 1949, International Organization.

[11]  Protection of victims of sexual violence : Lessons learned , 2022 .