User experiences of selfcare interventions for sexual and reproductive health services in community pharmacies in Rwanda: A qualitative study

Abstract

Self-care interventions for sexual and reproductive health (SRH) empower individuals to autonomously access services, reducing their reliance on traditional healthcare settings. However, there is limited knowledge about community pharmacy-based SRH services in Rwanda. Therefore, this study aims to explore the experiences of community pharmacy-based SRH users and inform strategies to enhance service delivery effectiveness. This study employed a qualitative research approach employing a phenomenological design. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 22 participants from 1st June 2023 to 20th March 2024, in 5 Districts of Rwanda. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling methods. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and imported into NVivo 11 software for further analysis. Users of pharmacy-based SRH products intended for self-care interventions reported positive experiences. Three main themes emerged from the interviews: community pharmacies ensured the utmost confidentiality, provided fast service delivery with minimal procedures, and expressed user satisfaction with friendly communication. Users of community pharmacy-based SRH services intended for self-care use reported positive experiences with community pharmacies. They received the needed confidentiality, faster service delivery, and friendly communication with community pharmacists. There is a pressing need for close collaboration among the public, private, and stakeholders to empower citizens over their SRH.