Abstract

This paper focuses on rural aspects of sexual and reproductive health and sexuality. Disadvantage of access to practitioners with expertise in sexual and reproductive health and sexuality is compounded for rural residents. Retaining and supporting the rural sexual and reproductive health workforce is important in addressing sexual health inequities and promoting the sexual and reproductive rights of rural residents. However, little is known about the role-related challenges encountered by rurally-based sexual and reproductive health practitioners. We draw on 15 qualitative interviews with general practitioners and nurses with recognised expertise in sexual and reproductive health working in three rural regions of Victoria, Australia. Findings highlight the precarious state of sexual and reproductive health delivery in rural contexts and draw attention to the unsustainability of current systems for providing access to care in rural settings. Problems stem from cultural processes and assumptions within the health sector. Adapting organisational cultures and how sexual and reproductive health is structured within the health system are critical to improving access for rural residents. Our findings have relevance for other high-income, Eurocentric and metrocentric countries with public health systems and similar geographies.

摘要

本文侧重于农村方面的性健康和生殖健康以及性行为。农村居民难以获得具有性，生殖健康和性方面专业知识的从业人员。保持和支持农村的性健康和生殖健康劳动力对于解决性健康不平等和促进农村居民的性健康和生殖权利至关重要。但是，对于农村地区的性健康和生殖健康从业人员所面临的与角色相关的挑战知之甚少。我们在澳大利亚维多利亚州的三个农村地区，对在性和生殖健康领域具有公认专业知识的全科医生和护士进行了15次定性访谈。调查结果突显了农村地区性健康和生殖健康提供的不稳定状态，并提请注意当前在农村地区提供医疗服务的系统的不可持续性。问题源于卫生部门的文化进程和假设。适应组织文化以及在卫生系统内如何构造性健康和生殖健康，对于改善农村居民的获取至关重要。我们的发现与其他具有公共卫生系统和类似地区的高收入，以欧洲为中心和以大城市为中心的国家相关。适应组织文化以及在卫生系统内如何构造性健康和生殖健康，对于改善农村居民的获取状况至关重要。我们的发现与其他具有公共卫生系统和类似地区的高收入，以欧洲为中心和以大城市为中心的国家相关。适应组织文化以及在卫生系统内如何构造性健康和生殖健康，对于改善农村居民的获取至关重要。我们的发现与其他具有公共卫生系统和类似地区的高收入，以欧洲为中心和以大城市为中心的国家相关。