Availability and provision of psychosocial support and care services in the youth friendly services Centers to sexually abused adolescents in Kinondoni District, Dar es Salaam
Loading...
Date
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Hubert Kairuki Memorial University
Abstract
Background: Child sexual abuse is a global public health and human rights concern.Despite this being a major problem in Tanzania, only few victims of sexual abusereceive any kind of psychosocial support and care. Method: A combination of both quantitative and qualitative research designs were used to collect and analyze the data. The use of questionnaires helped in assessing the modalities on how psychosocial support and care is provided, while the in-depth interviews with 10 sexually abused adolescents helped the researcher to understand the extent of the problem from the adolescents who have been the victims of the abuse. Findings from the study were analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel programs.Result: The main challenges identified from most of the Health Centers surveyed include the limited number of youth friendly service centers that are providing psychosocial support and care services to sexually abused adolescent as well as the insufficient number of qualified health care providers with the required psychosocial qualification and skills in dealing with adolescent issues. Conclusion: Child sexual abuse poses a devastating social and public health challenge in Tanzania where neither the community nor the health or legal institutions are adequately prepared to handle the cases. Efforts should be directed toward expanding and adequately providing resources to the Health Centers that provide psychosocial support and services as well as increasing the community awareness on the problem and strive to find long lasting solutions that will help to repair the damages resulting from by the child sexual abuse incidences.
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Masters of Science in Public Health of Hubert Kairuki Memorial University.
Keywords
Sexually abused adolescents, Kinondoni District, Psychosocial support
Citation
Samwix, Z. O. 2015. Availability and provision of psychosocial support and care services in the youth friendly services Centers to sexually abused adolescents in Kinondoni District, Dar es Salaam.