Managing adolescent pregnancy: The unique roles and challenges of private general practitioners in Malaysia
- Author:
Khasnur Abd Malek
;
Suraya Abdul-Razak
;
Hasliza Abu Hassan
;
Sajaratulnisah Othman
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Adolescent pregnancy;
private general practitioners;
multidisciplinary team;
abortion
- From:Malaysian Family Physician
2019;14(3):37-35
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Managing adolescent pregnancy in the primary care setting is complex, as it
requires doctors to navigate through a combination of medical, social, financial and legal needs.
Objective: This study explores the perspectives of private general practitioners on their roles and
challenges in managing adolescent pregnancy in Malaysia.
Methods: Nineteen private general practitioners in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur participated in
in-depth interviews in 2015. A topic guide was used for interview navigation. Participants were
asked to discuss their experiences and approaches in managing pregnant adolescents. We used
purposive sampling to recruit consenting private general practitioners who had experience in
managing adolescent pregnancy. The verbatim transcripts of the audio-recorded interviews were
analyzed using thematic analysis. Data reached saturation at the nineteenth in-depth interview.
Results: Two themes emerged. Under the theme ‘inadvertent advocator,’ participants described
their tasks with regards to building trust, calming angry parents and delivering comprehensive
counseling and care related to the sexual and reproductive health of adolescents, including
requests for abortions. Theme two, ‘challenges of private general practitioners,’ refers mainly to
personal and religious conflicts arising from a request for an abortion and deficiencies in support
and multidisciplinary integration within their practice settings.
Conclusion: General practitioners practicing in the private sector identify themselves as active
players in supporting pregnant adolescents but face many challenges arising from the personal,
religious, professional and community levels. Addressing these challenges is important for
optimal care delivery to pregnant adolescents in this community
- Full text:2.2019my0049.pdf
