Perceptions matter: Narratives of contraceptive implant robbery in Cape Town, South Africa

Krogstad, Emily A., Atujuna, Millicent, Montgomery, Elizabeth T., Minnis, Alexandra M., Morroni, Chelsea ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2026-6039 and Bekker, Linda-Gail (2021) 'Perceptions matter: Narratives of contraceptive implant robbery in Cape Town, South Africa'. Culture, Health & Sexuality, Vol 23, Issue 3, pp. 383-396.

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Abstract

Uptake of contraceptive implants has declined in South Africa since their introduction in 2014, with side effects and inadequate health provider training cited as primary contributors underlying a poor community perception of implants. In this paper we explore a theme that emerged unexpectedly during analysis of our research in Cape Town that may be an additional factor in this decline: narratives of women being assaulted by robbers who physically remove the implants for smoking as drugs. Narratives were described consistently across interviews and focus groups with youth (aged 18-24 years) and in interviews with health providers, with six participants (two young people, four health providers) sharing personal experiences of robbery. While there was a range of perspectives on whether narratives are based on real experiences or are myths, there was strong consensus that narratives of implant robbery may be influencing women's decisions around implant use in Cape Town. This is a potent example of how perceptions of new products can affect uptake and offers important lessons for implementers to reflect on in planning for rollout of other health technologies.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 309 Women's health WA Public Health > Health Problems of Special Population Groups > WA 395 Health in developing countries WP Gynecology > Contraception > WP 630 Contraception WP Gynecology > Contraception > WP 640 Contraceptive devices (General and female)
Faculty: Department:	Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department
Digital Object Identifer (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2020.1714739
Depositing User:	Rachel Dominguez
Date Deposited:	03 Apr 2020 14:33
Last Modified:	27 Mar 2021 02:02
URI:	https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/14109

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