Using cellphilm-making as advocacy: adolescent girls’ access to reproductive health services in primary health care facilities in rural northern KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

This paper reports on a qualitative study that employed participatory visual methods to understand how adolescents access contraception in a rural community of northern KwaZulu-Natal. We focus on a cellphilm, a short film recorded with a cellphone, produced by a group of adolescent girls to share their perspectives regarding the challenges they encounter when seeking reproductive health services at primary health care facilities. Harsh health care worker attitudes, sub-standard communication and the lack of confidentiality were significant barriers to adolescents accessing youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services in this community. Entrenched socio-cultural beliefs on adolescent female sexuality underpinned judgement and victimisation of girls seeking contraception and antenatal care services. In efforts to contest health care providers’ moralistic attitudes and illuminate the consequences thereof, adolescent girls exercise their agency by creating a cellphilm for health authorities.