S Afr J Psychiatr. 2024 Jul 30;30:2217. doi: 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v30i0.2217. eCollection 2024.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Adolescent pregnancy carries significant global ramifications. Community health workers (CHWs) play a role in empowering adolescents through counselling skills, thereby promoting informed decision-making for better outcomes.
AIM: The study aims to evaluate the counselling skills of CHWs in their efforts to support pregnant adolescents (PA) in Limpopo province.
SETTING: The research was carried out with CHWs in the Mopani and Vhembe districts of the Limpopo province.
METHODS: A quantitative descriptive approach was used to evaluate CHWs’ counselling skills for PAs in Limpopo. A sample of 81 respondents was selected using simple random sampling. Ethical approval was obtained. Data were collected using a questionnaire guided by the Theory of Reasoned Action. Descriptive statistics were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists version 24. The questionnaire’s validity was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, resulting in a correlation coefficient of 0.710.
RESULTS: The study identified significant variations in counselling recommendations. Preparation: Using private space with fewer distractions showed considerable variability (standard deviation = 0.218). Introduction: High variability was observed in using the SOLER method (standard deviation = 0.316). Working phase: Suggesting rather than advising had notable variability (standard deviation = 0.396). Termination: Avoiding abrupt endings and informing clients about the session’s conclusion demonstrated variability (standard deviation = 0.283). Additionally, the majority (64%) of the participants found record-keeping unnecessary, which demonstrated the highest variability (standard deviation = 0.482).
CONCLUSION: The study revealed CHWs’ proficiency in counselling techniques and emphasised the importance of following the counselling stages.
CONTRIBUTION: The research highlights the importance of evaluating the counselling skills of CHWs and identifying areas for improvement to develop targeted interventions and enhancing health outcomes for PAs.
PMID:39114755 | PMC:PMC11304368 | DOI:10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v30i0.2217
