| 1. |
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| 2. |
- Awasom-Fru, Adama, et al.
(författare)
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Doctors' experiences providing sexual and reproductive health care at Catholic Hospitals in the conflict-affected North-West region of Cameroon : a qualitative study
- 2022
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Ingår i: Reproductive Health. - : Springer Nature. - 1742-4755. ; 19:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Plain English Summary The main aim of this study was to explore doctors' experiences and perceptions of providing sexual and reproductive health care services at Catholic hospitals in a conflict affected area in Cameroon. In Cameroon, sexual, and reproductive health services are lacking, thereby contributing to a very high maternal mortality rate of about 456/100000 live births, far from the Sustainable Development Goal Agenda 2030. The Catholic Church remains one of the largest suppliers of health care services in Cameroon and receives huge funding from donors, but their role in providing sexual and reproductive health care is restricted by religious norms. This study therefore uses in-depth interviews with doctors from Catholic hospitals in the North-West region to explore their experiences in providing sexual and reproductive health services in a conflict region. Qualitative coding was done with NVivo, and data analysed using thematic analysis. The respondents described strict rules and a broad range of challenges to providing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services. Nonetheless, there is evidence of doctors overcoming obstacles to providing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care despite the religious and political climate. However, while attempting to overcome challenges, participants describe numerous examples of poor SRH care and poor health outcomes. The study highlights the importance of understanding the intersect between religion and women's health, particularly in improving access to SRH for vulnerable populations in conflict affected areas. It further provides insight into doctors' motivations for practicing medicine, and how doctors cope and make efforts to provide care and minimize harm. Background Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) care services are essential to improving the lives of women and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In Cameroon, the Catholic Church is one the largest non-governmental suppliers of health care, but its role in providing SRH care is restricted by religious norms. Methods This study explored doctors' experiences and perceptions of providing SRH care at Catholic hospitals in a conflict-affected area in Cameroon by using 10 in-depth interviews with doctors from three Catholic hospitals in the North-West region. Qualitative coding was done with NVivo, and data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Three themes and seven categories were identified. The respondents described strict rules and a broad range of challenges to providing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services. Nonetheless, there is evidence of doctors overcoming obstacles to providing SRH care despite the religious and political climate. However, whilst attempting to overcome challenges, participants described numerous examples of poor SRH care and health outcomes. Conclusion The study highlights the importance of understanding the intersect between religion and women's health, particularly in improving access to SRH for vulnerable populations in conflict-affected areas. It further provides insight into doctors' motivations in practicing medicine and how doctors cope and make efforts to provide care and minimize harm.
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| 3. |
- Bylund, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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Negotiating social norms, the legacy of vertical health initiatives and contradicting health policies : a qualitative study of health professionals' perceptions and attitudes of providing adolescent sexual and reproductive health care in Arusha and Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania
- 2020
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Ingår i: Global Health Action. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1654-9716 .- 1654-9880. ; 13:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundAdolescents in Tanzania are at risk of many health problems attributed to limited access to quality sexual and reproductive health services. Health professionals are a crucial part of service delivery, and their perspective on providing care is important in understanding the barriers that hamper access to sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents. Better understanding these barriers will support the development of more effective interventions. This paper explores these perspectives in view of the health-policy context that surrounds them.ObjectiveThis study has aimed to explore and understand health professionals’ perceptions and attitudes regarding the provision of adolescent sexual and reproductive health care in a selected national sexual and reproductive health programme in the Arusha region and Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania.MethodsA qualitative cross-sectional interview design was applied. Sixteen in-depth interviews were conducted with health professionals and community health workers. Data was analysed following inductive thematic analysis.ResultsFour main themes are identified in the data: concern about the stigma directed towards adolescents; over-medicalisation of services; difficulty involving adolescent males; and ambiguous policies and contradictory messages. The findings suggest that health professionals providing care in the current adolescent sexual and reproductive health programme must navigate the legacy of vertical health programmes as well as contradicting views and messages that are influenced by social norms, by uncertainties about current laws and by statements from political leaders.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that future research, policies and health programmes should consider the perspectives of health professionals and their challenges in delivering care for adolescents to help improve the understanding of how to effectively and sensitively implement sexual and reproductive health programmes for adolescents.
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| 5. |
- Chalermsri, Chalobol, et al.
(författare)
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Exploring the Experience and Determinants of the Food Choices and Eating Practices of Elderly Thai People : A Qualitative Study.
- 2020
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Ingår i: Nutrients. - : MDPI. - 2072-6643. ; 12:11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Over the past decade, Thailand has experienced a rapid increase in its elderly population. Many unfavorable health outcomes among elderly people are associated with nutrition. Nutrition in elderly people is affected by physical, mental, and social factors. This study explored the food choices and dietary practices among community-dwelling elderly people in Thailand from the perspective of both caregivers and the elderly people themselves. Six focus group discussions and six semistructured interviews were conducted in the Samut Sakhon Province of Thailand. Deductive thematic analyses were conducted based on the "food choice process model framework." The results show that physical and mental factors and societal factors are important determinants of food choices. Moreover, a changing food environment and economic factors were found to affect food choices. Issues of trust in food safety and food markets were highlighted as growing issues. Therefore, fostering healthy food choice interventions that consider both environmental and societal aspects is necessary.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Herzig Van Wees, Sibylle L., et al.
(författare)
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A description and explanation of the complex landscape of faith-based organisations in Cameroon's health sector
- 2021
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Ingår i: Development in Practice. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0961-4524 .- 1364-9213. ; 31:3, s. 356-367
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Over the past decade, donors have engaged faith-based organisations (FBOs) in health system reforms and health programmes in many sub-Saharan African countries, including Cameroon. Little knowledge is available concerning the types of FBOs that exist in the health sector in Cameroon. This article describes the complex landscape of Christian FBOs operating in Cameroon's health sector and provides an explanation for that diversity. It reflects on the implications of the use of the "FBO" acronym in Cameroon and argues that the FBO typology discussion is still relevant.
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| 8. |
- Herzig Van Wees, Sibylle L., et al.
(författare)
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Achieving the SDGs through interdisciplinary research in global health
- 2019
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. - : SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD. - 1403-4948 .- 1651-1905. ; 47:8, s. 793-795
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Swedish Global Health Research Conference held in Stockholm, 18-19 April 2018, convened researchers from across Sweden's universities to foster collaboration and new research. In response to the theme of the conference, How can Sweden contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals? From research to action, many of the plenary and keynote speakers highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary research and teaching. This commentary draws upon a workshop discussing interdisciplinarity, which took place at the conference. Participants included senior professors, lecturers, students and collaborators from the private sector and civil society and we discussed the conceptual and structural challenges that prevent engagement in interdisciplinary research. Although the workshop focused on the Swedish context, issues will be familiar to researchers working outside of Sweden. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals highlight the grand challenges for global society and are intertwined, with progress in one affecting progress in all others. With this starting point, we argue that interdisciplinary research is the way to achieve them. Accordingly, we need to overcome the conceptual and structural challenges that can hinder it. We therefore argue for a paradigm shift of how we value knowledge. We also call for fundamental changes in external and internal (university-level) funding structures, and for the strengthening of interdisciplinary global health teaching.
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| 9. |
- Herzig Van Wees, Sibylle L., et al.
(författare)
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Arabic speaking migrant parents' perceptions of sex education in Sweden : A qualitative study
- 2021
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Ingår i: Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare. - : Elsevier. - 1877-5756 .- 1877-5764. ; 28
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: It is well established that migrants underutilise sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for structural and socio-cultural reasons. Sex education at Swedish schools is compulsory and an important part of Swedish upbringing, yet little is known about how migrants perceive this. This study examined migrant parents' views on sex education that their children receive at Swedish schools.METHODS: This is a qualitative study using 14 focus group discussions (74 = n) with Arabic speaking migrant parents attending Swedish integration courses. Qualitative data analysis was used following Saldana's coding method.RESULTS: Migrants' perceptions about sex education provided at Swedish schools are influenced by their home countries, where most participants received no sex education at schools and very little sex education at home. Therefore, values about sex in home countries and Sweden are often contrasting. Consequently, migrant parents are concerned about sex education that their children receive at Swedish schools. There are varied interpretations of sex education, concern over the content and methods taught, and there are numerous assumptions about potential negative effects of sex education.CONCLUSION: The study echoes findings on intergenerational challenges in migrant families surrounding the topic of gender and sex, often brought on by discussions about sex education at schools. Innovative approaches are needed to support migrant parents as part of Sweden's effort to strengthen effectiveness and inclusiveness of sex education.
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| 10. |
- Herzig Van Wees, Sibylle L., et al.
(författare)
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Global health beyond geographical boundaries : reflections from global health education
- 2020
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Ingår i: BMJ Global Health. - : BMJ. - 2059-7908. ; 5:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Our experience suggests that global health is often taught as ‘public health somewhere else’.However, the experience and demands of global health students and pressing global health issues in all settings require a different approach.We, therefore, suggest that a more useful definition of global health is to move beyond the notion of geographical boundaries, with ‘global’ instead referring to a holistic, multidisciplinary perspective of health.We suggest that current global health educational practices include a broader disciplinary scope and focus on educational examples from throughout the world, including one’s own local context.
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| 11. |
- Herzig Van Wees, Sibylle L.
(författare)
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"Hidden Catholics","faith-blind" donors and "FBO empires" : a mixed-methods study on donor engagement of faith-based organisations in the Cameroonian health systema mixed-methods study on donor engagement of faith-based organisations in the Cameroonian health system
- 2019
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Over the past decade, donors have engaged Christian faith-based organisations (FBOs) in health system reforms and health programmes in numerous sub-Saharan African countries. They enjoy a good reputation for the assumed quality of care they can provide, their ability to reach the poor, and their market share in health systems. However, little knowledge is available concerning the process and implications of donor engagement of FBOs. This research uses a mixed-method case study approach to describe and analyse the reasons, processes, and implications of donor engagement of FBOs in the health sector in Cameroon. Three examples of different forms of donor engagement of FBOs in health programmes in Cameroon are used to offer further knowledge on the subject. The study makes three significant findings: Firstly, it identifies a very diverse range of FBOs that participate in the health sector: faith-based networks, faith-based health training schools, faith-based service providers that are integrated into the health system, and faith-based 'Centres of Excellence', which operate with little interaction with the state. This diversity suggests that a re-examination of the 'FBO' buzzword is necessary. Secondly, the study shows that FBO engagement by donors has often been done with many assumptions about their faith attributes, their role in the health system, their relationship with the state, and their capabilities. Donor's flawed assumptions have had negative ramifications for the equity and quality of health care provision in Cameroon. Thirdly, I argue, although many donors have embraced FBOs, the evidence suggests that controversies regarding the relationship between religion and gender, and the relationship between FBOs and the state still matter. This work provides a non-instrumental perspective, which includes the views of FBOs of their various engagements; it shows that the role of the donors in shaping these organisations and their relationships is core to furthering our knowledge about FBOs.
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Herzig Van Wees, Sibylle L., et al.
(författare)
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The role of faith-based health professions schools in Cameroon's health system
- 2021
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Ingår i: Global Public Health. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1744-1692 .- 1744-1706. ; 16:6, s. 895-910
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Faith-based health professions schools contribute to the training of staff in many Sub-Saharan African countries. Yet little is known about these actors, their role in the health system, potential comparative advantages and challenges faced. This is a qualitative study drawing on 24 qualitative interviews and 3 focus group discussions. Participants included faith-based health professions schools, staff at faith-based health professions schools, Ministry of Health officials and donors. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings reveal that understanding of faith-based health professions schools held by donors and the Ministry of Health rest on a set of assumptions rather than evidence-backed knowledge and that knowledge on key aspects is missing (not least on the market share of such actors). This suggests that collaboration with and oversight of these non-state schools is limited, raising questions about the balance of state regulation and control in the public-private mix for training health workers. Linked to this weak oversight, the findings also raise concerns over a number of problematic activities at these schools, unaccredited training programmes and the presence of missionary volunteers whose presence and actions are rarely interrogated.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
- Herzig Van Wees, Sibylle, et al.
(författare)
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The challenges of donor engagement with faith-based organizations in Cameroon's health sector : a qualitative study
- 2021
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Ingår i: Health Policy and Planning. - : Oxford University Press. - 0268-1080 .- 1460-2237. ; 36:4, s. 464-472
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Substantial global advocacy efforts have been made over the past decade to encourage partnerships and funding of faith-based organizations in international development programmes in efforts to improve social and health outcomes. Whilst there is a wealth of knowledge on religion and development, including its controversies, less attention has been payed to the role that donors might play. The aim of this study was to describe and analyse the engagement between donors and faith-based organizations in Cameroon's health sector, following the implementation of the Cameroon Health Sector Partnership Strategy (2012). Forty-six in-depth interviews were conducted in selected regions in Cameroon. The findings show that global advocacy efforts to increase partnerships with faith-based organizations have created a space for increasing donor engagement of faith-based organizations following the implementation of the strategy. However, the policy was perceived as top down as it did not take into account some of the existing challenges. The policy arguably accentuated some of the existing tensions between the government and faith-based organizations, fed faith-controversies and complicated the health system landscape. Moreover, it provided donors with a framework for haphazard engagement with faith-based organizations. As such, putting the implications of donor engagement with FBOs on the research map acknowledges the limitations of efforts to collaborate with faith-based organizations and brings to the surface still-remaining blinkers and limited assumptions in donor definitions of faith-based organizations and in ways of collaborating with them.
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| 16. |
- Kantner, Annabell C., et al.
(författare)
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Factors associated with measles vaccination status in children under the age of three years in a post-soviet context : a cross-sectional study using the DHS VII in Armenia
- 2021
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Ingår i: BMC Public Health. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1471-2458. ; 21
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background; The resurgence of measles globally and the increasing number of unvaccinated clusters call for studies exploring factors that influence measles vaccination uptake. Armenia is a middle-income post-Soviet country with an officially high vaccination coverage. However, concerns about vaccine safety are common. The purpose of this study was to measure the prevalence of measles vaccination coverage in children under three years of age and to identify factors that are associated with measles vaccination in Armenia by using nationally representative data.Methods: Cross-sectional analysis using self-report data from the most recent Armenian Demographic Health Survey (ADHS VII 2015/16) was conducted. Among 588 eligible women with a last-born child aged 12-35months, 63 women were excluded due to unknown status of measles vaccination, resulting in 525 women included in the final analyses. We used logistic regression models in order to identify factors associated with vaccination status in the final sample. Complex sample analyses were used to account for the study design.Results: In the studied population 79.6% of the children were vaccinated against measles. After adjusting for potential confounders, regression models showed that the increasing age of the child (AOR 1.07, 95% CI: 1.03-1.12), secondary education of the mothers (AOR 3.38, 95% CI: 1.17-9.76) and attendance at postnatal check-up within two months after birth (AOR 2.71, 95% CI: 1.17-6.30) were significantly associated with the vaccination status of the child.Conclusions: The measles vaccination coverage among the children was lower than the recommended percentage. The study confirmed the importance of maternal education and attending postnatal care visits. However, the study also showed that there might be potential risks for future measles outbreaks because of delayed vaccinations and a large group of children with an unknown vaccination status.
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| 17. |
- Kåks, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Adapting a South African social innovation for maternal peer support to migrant communities in Sweden : a qualitative study
- 2022
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Ingår i: International Journal for Equity in Health. - : Springer Nature. - 1475-9276. ; 21:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction and aim Social and health disparities persist in Sweden despite a high quality and universally accessible welfare system. One way of bridging social gaps is through social innovations targeting the most vulnerable groups. The South African Philani model, a social innovation for peer support aimed at pregnant women and mothers of young children, was adapted to the local context in southern Sweden. This study aimed to document and analyze the process of adapting the Philani model to the Swedish context. Methods Eight semi-structured interviews and three workshops were held with eleven stakeholders and peer supporters in the implementing organization and its steering committee. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results The analysis resulted in five main themes and fifteen sub-themes representing different aspects of how the peer support model was contextualized. The main themes described rationalizations for focusing on social determinants rather than health behaviors, using indirect mechanisms and social ripple effects to achieve change, focusing on referring clients to established public and civil society services, responding to a heterogeneous sociocultural context by recruiting peer supporters with diverse competencies, and having a high degree of flexibility in how contact was made with clients and how their needs were met. Conclusion The South African Philani model was contextualized to support socially disadvantaged mothers and expectant mothers among migrant communities in Sweden. In the process, adaptations of the intervention's overall focus, working methods, and recruitment and outreach strategies were motivated by the existing range of services, the composition of the target group and the conditions of the delivering organization. This study highlights various considerations that arise when a social innovation developed in a low- or middle-income context is implemented in a high-income context.
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| 18. |
- Kåks, Per, 1991-
(författare)
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Contextualising a South African social innovation for maternal and child health to mothers with experiences of migration in Sweden
- 2024
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Despite a universally accessible and high-quality welfare system, disparities in health and wellbeing persist between families who have migrated to Sweden and the native population. The South African Mentor Mother programme, a social innovation for maternal and child health among socially disadvantaged communities, was transferred and adapted to benefit mothers and pregnant women with experiences of migrating to Sweden.This thesis aims to explore the adaptation, implementation and further development of the South African Mentor Mother programme in two locations in Sweden, based on professional and lived experience among various groups of stakeholders.In Study I, three workshops and eleven interviews were held with stakeholders to explore central aspects of the adaptation process. These aspects entailed prioritising social determinants of health over health behaviour change, using indirect mechanisms and social ripples to achieve change, prioritising referring clients over intervening directly, recruiting peer supporters with competencies responding to a heterogeneous socio-cultural context, and allowing flexibility in programme content and methods.In Study II, nineteen interviews with different stakeholders and digital field logs of peer support meetings (n=1,294) were used to evaluate the implementations of the programme. Contextual factors of importance included institutional mistrust, gender norms, unpredictable funding, and the organisation's third sector affiliation. Peer supporters prioritised linking clients to welfare services over educational intervention components, and sometimes experienced blurring between professional and personal roles. Practical support and trustful relationships emerged as important entry points to support more sensitive issues. In Study III, the photovoice method was used to conduct a focus group discussion and six interviews with Mentor Mothers and their coordinator in Gothenburg, exploring how they developed empowerment strategies perceived to be relevant, feasible and effective. These strategies consisted of various aspects of using both informative, practical, psychosocial and motivational support to meet community health and social needs.In Study IV, twenty-one interviews with Mentor Mothers, client mothers and other stakeholders were conducted to explore the emergence and management of mistrust in welfare services in Gothenburg. Mistrust was described to arise through rumours, unclear interactions with services, and lack of familiarity with the welfare system. Mentor Mothers used various strategies to build trusting relations with clients, which enabled them to promote institutional trust through information and humanisation of service providers.This thesis illustrates how innovative community-based solutions to complex societal problems can be transferred between contexts, implemented and further developed to ensure their relevance to the target group.
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| 19. |
- Kåks, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Implementing a social innovation for community-based peer support for immigrant mothers in Sweden : a mixed-methods process evaluation
- 2024
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Public Health. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2296-2565. ; 11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: A South African social innovation based on peer support for mothers was contextualized in southern Sweden. The objective of the project was to support expectant women and mothers of young children in immigrant communities to access public services that would benefit maternal and child health. This study aimed to assess how the intervention was implemented, what the contextual barriers and facilitators were, and how the implementation was perceived by those who delivered and received it.Methods: The study used mixed methods with a convergent parallel design and followed the Medical Research Council guidance on process evaluations of complex interventions. Semi-structured interviews (n = 19) were conducted with peer supporters, client mothers, and key stakeholders involved in the intervention. The qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Quantitative data on peer supporters' activities were collected during contacts with client mothers and were presented descriptively.Results: The five peer supporters had 1,294 contacts with client mothers, of which 507 were first-time contacts. The reach was perceived as wide, and the dose of the intervention was tailored to individual needs. Barriers to implementation included community mistrust of social services, norms on gender roles and parenting, and funding challenges. The implementation was facilitated by the organization's reputation, network, experience, and third-sector affiliation. Peer supporters tended to prioritize linking clients to other services over the educational components of the intervention, sometimes doing more than what was originally planned. Implementation strategies used included building trust, using multiple outreach venues, using internal support structures, and providing practical assistance as an entry point to comprehensive psychosocial support. The personal connection between peer supporters and clients was highly valued, and the building of relationships enabled them to address sensitive topics. Peer supporters sometimes experienced a blurred line between professional and personal roles.Conclusions: Peer supporters used a variety of strategies to navigate identified barriers and facilitators. Trust was central both as a contextual factor and a strategy for implementation. It is valuable to maintain a balance between flexibility and adherence to the function of peer supporters. Further research is needed to evaluate the effects of the intervention.
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Yohannes, Kalkidan, et al.
(författare)
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Addressing the needs of Ethiopia's street homeless women of reproductive age in the health and social protection policy : a qualitative study
- 2023
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Ingår i: International Journal for Equity in Health. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1475-9276. ; 28, s. 281-282
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Globally, homelessness is a growing concern, and homeless women of reproductive age are particularly vulnerable to adverse physical, mental, and reproductive health conditions, including violence. Although Ethiopia has many homeless individuals, the topic has received little attention in the policy arena. Therefore, we aimed to understand the reason for the lack of attention, with particular emphasis on women of reproductive age.Methods: This is a qualitative study; 34 participants from governmental and non-governmental organisations responsible for addressing homeless individuals' needs participated in in-depth interviews. A deductive analysis of the interview materials was applied using Shiffman and Smith's political prioritisation framework.Results: Several factors contributed to the underrepresentation of homeless women's health and well-being needs in the policy context. Although many governmental and non-governmental organisations contributed to the homeless-focused programme, there was little collaboration and no unifying leadership. Moreover, there was insufficient advocacy and mobilisation to pressure national leaders. Concerning ideas, there was no consensus regarding the definition of and solution to homeless women's health and social protection issues. Regarding political contexts and issue characteristics, a lack of a well-established structure, a paucity of information on the number of homeless women and the severity of their health situations relative to other problems, and the lack of clear indicators prevented this issue from gaining political priority.Conclusions: To prioritise the health and well-being of homeless women, the government should form a unifying collaboration and a governance structure that addresses the unmet needs of these women. It is imperative to divide responsibilities and explicitly include homeless people and services targeted for them in the national health and social protection implementation documents. Further, generating consensus on framing the problems and solutions and establishing indicators for assessing the situation is vital.
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| 22. |
- Yohannes, Kalkidan, et al.
(författare)
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Contradictions hindering the provision of mental healthcare and psychosocial services to women experiencing homelessness in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia : service providers' and programme coordinators' experiences and perspectives
- 2023
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Ingår i: BMC Health Services Research. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1472-6963. ; 23
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Mental health conditions are among the health issues associated with homelessness, and providing mental healthcare to people experiencing homelessness is challenging. Despite the pressing issue of homelessness in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, there is scant research on how service providers address women's mental health and psychosocial needs. Therefore, we explored service providers' and programme coordinators' perceptions and experiences regarding mental healthcare and psychosocial services delivery to women experiencing street homelessness in the city.Methods: We conducted a descriptive qualitative study with selected healthcare and social support providers and programme coordinators. The study involved 34 participants from governmental and non-governmental organisations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach.Results: Four themes were derived from the analysis. The first of these was "divergent intentions and actions". While service providers and programme coordinators showed empathy and compassion, they also objectified and blamed people for their own homelessness. They also expressed opposing views on mental health stigma and compassion for these people. The second theme addressed "problem-solution incompatibility", which focused on the daily challenges of women experiencing homelessness and the types of services participants prioritised. Service providers and programme coordinators proposed non-comprehensive support despite the situation's complexity. The participants did not emphasise the significance of gender-sensitive and trauma-informed care for women experiencing street homelessness in the third theme, "the lack of gendered and trauma-informed care despite an acknowledgement that women face unique challenges". The fourth theme, "mismatched resources," indicated structural and systemic barriers to providing services to homeless women.Conclusions:Conflicting attitudes and practices exist at the individual, organisational, and systemic levels, making it challenging to provide mental healthcare and psychosocial services to women experiencing homelessness. An integrated, gender-sensitive, and trauma-informed approach is necessary to assist women experiencing homelessness.
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