Meeting Men Where they are: Motivators and Barriers to Accessing Health Services through a Men's Mobile Wellness Clinic, October 2019 to March 2020, Blantyre, Malawi.
IF 3.8 4区 医学Q1 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Mtemwa Nyangulu, Tiffiany Aholou, Viva Thorsen, Shahul Ebrahim, Ernest Nkhoma, Chipiliro Payesa, Getrude Chipungu, Masozie Kalua, Jeroen van 't Pad Bosch, Hannah Gibson, Verita Buie, Fidelis Sindani, Helen Dale, Stephanie Behel, Rashida Hassan, Alice Maida, Kristina Grabbe
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: In Malawi approximately, 88.3% people living with HIV are aware of their HIV status. Significant gaps are among men aged 15-34 years; only 72% know their HIV status. To reach men, Jhpiego, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH), implemented the Men's Mobile Wellness Clinic (MMWC) at workplace settings in Blantyre, Malawi between October 2019 and March 2020.
Methods: We conducted a descriptive qualitative study to understand motivators and barriers to MMWC service uptake by employees and employers. Primary data was drawn from in-depth telephone interviews from four study populations: employers who accepted or declined to host the MMWC at their worksite, and employees who accessed or did not access the services. We performed a thematic analysis using Nvivo 12 software to identify patterns and themes across the dataset.
Findings: Main reasons given for using the service among male employees were a desire to know their health status, availability of free health services at the workplace, and good quality services offered by MMWC staff, and support from their supervisor. Men who did not access services stated reasons such as work-clinic scheduling conflicts, lack of adequate promotion of the service, and miscommunication on the criteria about who should attend the MMWC. Employers who accepted to host the MMWC stated convenience and employee's rights to know their health status. Those who declined either stated that employees did not want the services or COVID-19 preventive measures by the MOH between October 2019 and March 2020 restricted participation.
Conclusion: This study underscores the potential utility of MMWC services including HIV testing among men. The desire to know their health status, availability of free MMWC services at the workplace, good quality services offered by MMWC staff, and the endorsement of MMWC by supervisors were main motivators to access the MMWC services. Sensitizing supervisors and employees about the benefits of the MMWC services, strengthening demand creation, and clarifying eligibility are important to facilitate MMWC uptake among men in Malawi.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health is an esteemed international publication, offering a platform for peer-reviewed articles that drive advancements in global epidemiology and international health. Our mission is to shape global health policy by showcasing cutting-edge scholarship and innovative strategies.