Healthcare Providers’ Experience in Implementing the Adolescent and Youth-Friendly Services at Public Health Facilities in KwaZulu-Natal: A Qualitative Study

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: The adolescent and youth phase is characterized by rapid physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development during which adolescents encounter numerous challenges. These challenges include experiences of sexual violence, sexually transmitted diseases, mental health issues, poverty, lack of education, social discrimination, and high fertility rates. The Adolescent and Youth-Friendly Services (AYFS) program in South Africa aims to enhance young people's access to sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS). This study explores the healthcare providers' (HCPs') experiences in implementing the AYFS within public health facilities in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal. <b>Methods</b>: This exploratory, descriptive qualitative study employed individual in-depth interviews to gather data from eight HCPs. The target population consisted of HCPs working in the public health facilities that offer AYFS. A purposive sampling technique was utilized to select HCPs who met the inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis was conducted following the steps outlined by Braun and Clarke. <b>Results</b>: The participants consisted of black females and one male, aged 34 to 50, with 1 to 14 years of experience. The four main themes emerged from the study: appropriate service provision, HCPs' competency, accessibility of AYFS, and adherence to the principles of beneficence and non-maleficence. Overall, HCPs reported a positive experience in implementing AYFS. <b>Conclusions</b>: The findings indicated that AYFS was delivered as a comprehensive package addressing the needs of adolescents; however, there is a pressing need to enhance demand-creation initiatives in schools and communities to raise awareness and promote service utilization among this vulnerable population. The implications of these findings are to ensure thorough implementation and utilization of AYFS in the country.