Table 2 Barriers and potential solutions among male student at Howard Campus Colleges, university of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Themes and barriers | Potential solutions |
|---|---|
Lack of knowledge and awareness about health services • Students especially those in their first year were flooded with lots of information during orientation to remember information about health services | • Student representative council to continuously showcase these programs to students • Continued promotion advocacy and awareness about available services • Integration of health programs with the academic curriculum |
Negative perceptions and attitudes towards health services • Mainly due to fear related to treatment for STI’s and testing for HIV • Limited sexual health information | • Campaigns to normalize sexual health and help-seeking on campus • Need strategies to sensitively engage male students • Change campus culture that promotes risk-taking behaviours |
Fear and lack of privacy • Fear of being seen • Location and confidentiality • Current campus health services HIV/AIDS | • Campaigns to address HIV stigma and discrimination • Focus campus health services on sexual and reproductive health |
Negative experiences • Judgmental or ‘having poor attitude • Odd working hours • Waiting time | • Providing youth friendly services • Improve service provider work environment • Review operational hours |