Abdul Hamid, Siti Hazariah and Fallon, Debbie and Callery, Peter
(2020)
Influence of religion on healthcare professionals’ beliefs toward teenage sexual practices in Malaysia.
Makara Journal Health Research, 24 (1).
pp. 27-34.
ISSN 2356-3664
E-ISSN 2356-3656
Abstract
Background: Teenagers are influenced by their surroundings, and this may also include their sexual behavior or societal responses to this type of behavior. It is important to understand the complexity of religious mandates and
sociocultural disapproval of premarital sex from the perspectives of healthcare professionals.
Methods: This qualitative study aimed to explore the influence of religion on healthcare professional’s beliefs toward providing sexual and reproductive health information and treatment. An interview topic guide was used in the in-depth interview of 32 healthcare professionals in several health clinics in Malaysia. The data were transcribed and entered into the NVivo 11 software. Thematic analysis was used to evaluate the data.
Results: The findings show that some healthcare professionals
positively incorporated Islamic beliefs into sexual health education session but excluded the contraception information.
This study also highlights the strategies used by healthcare professionals (discourse on risk, being selective, maintaining
their own honor) when providing sexual health services to teenagers. Conclusion: These findings revealed how religion
perpetuates a “moral” approach in the provision of sexual health services that potentially affects teenagers’ access to
healthcare.
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
Download Statistics
Download Statistics