Peter Decat - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Peter Decat

Sexual Health, 2004

There is increasing awareness worldwide of the importance of sexual and reproductive health in ad... more There is increasing awareness worldwide of the importance of sexual and reproductive health in adolescents. Australia's high rates of teenage pregnancy and increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections in young people reflect a failure to prioritise adolescent sexual and reproductive health on the public health agenda. This paper reviews adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Australia in comparison with international data, and examines the systemic, social and cultural factors that influence it. Based on comparisons with international best practice, recommendations are included for improvement in adolescent sexual and reproductive health within the Australian context.

Background: It is widely agreed upon that gender is a key aspect of sexuality however, questions ... more Background: It is widely agreed upon that gender is a key aspect of sexuality however, questions remain on how gender exactly influences adolescents’ sexual health. Objective: The aim of this research was to study correlations between gender equality attitudes and sexual behavior, sexual experiences and communication about sex among sexually active and non-sexually active adolescents in 2 Latin American countries. Design: In 2011, a cross-sectional study was carried out among 5,913 adolescents aged 14–18 in 20 secondary schools in Cochabamba (Bolivia) and 6 secondary schools in Cuenca (Ecuador). Models were built using logistic regressions to assess the predictive value of attitudes toward gender equality on adolescents’ sexual behavior, on experiences and on communication. Results: The analysis shows that sexually active adolescents who consider gender equality as important report higher current use of contraceptives within the couple. They are more likely to describe their last se...

JMIR Formative Research, 2022

Background In times of COVID-19, we are challenged to experiment with alternative platforms or so... more Background In times of COVID-19, we are challenged to experiment with alternative platforms or software to connect people. In particular, the struggle that arose in health research was how to interact with patients and care professionals. The latter is additionally faced with an extreme workload to fight the pandemic crisis. Creative strategies have been developed to continue research among patients and care professionals to improve quality of care. This paper addresses the issue of synchronous, online, nominal group sessions, a common consensus method used for group brainstorming. Objective The purpose of this study was to share our experiences with performing online, nominal group sessions using the video conference software Microsoft Teams. In addition, we aimed to create a practical guide with recommendations for researchers. Methods We critically analyzed the procedures for the online nominal group technique, according to the Fishbone methodology. Results Performing synchronous...

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Adolescent fertility rate The number of births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 Adolescent pregnancy Pr... more Adolescent fertility rate The number of births per 1,000 women ages 15-19 Adolescent pregnancy Pregnancy among girls aged 10 to 19 (WHO definition). Synonym used in text: teenage pregnancy Adolescents People aged 10 to 19 (WHO definition). The study population of the CERCA project belongs to this category. Synonyms used in text: teenagers and teens AIDS Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ASRH Adolescents Sexual and Reproductive Health CERCA Community Embedded Reproductive Health Care for Adolescents FoY Friends of Youth. FOY are young adults intensively trained in SRH who serve as mentors to adolescents.

On December 4th 2014, the International Centre for Reproductive Health (ICRH) at Ghent University... more On December 4th 2014, the International Centre for Reproductive Health (ICRH) at Ghent University organized an international conference on adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) and well-being. This viewpoint highlights two key messages of the conference- 1) ASRH promotion is broadening on different levels and 2) this broadening has important implications for research and interventions – that can guide this research field into the next decade. Adolescent sexuality has long been equated with risk and danger. However, throughout the presentations, it became clear that ASRH and related promotion efforts are broadening on different levels: from risk to well-being, from targeted and individual to comprehensive and structural, from knowledge transfer to innovative tools. However, indicators to measure adolescent sexuality that should accompany this broadening trend, are lacking. While public health related indicators (HIV/STIs, pregnancies) and their behavioral proxies (e.g. con...

CERCA, Community Embedded Reproductive health Care for Adolescents in Latin America, is an on-goi... more CERCA, Community Embedded Reproductive health Care for Adolescents in Latin America, is an on-going interventional research project financed by the FP7 program of the European commission. The project seeks to contribute to global knowledge about how primary health care can be more responsive to adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health needs. The current study was performed within the CERCA project and aimed to reveal factors associated with adolescents‘ opinion of sexual intercourse. Methods: A cross-sectional interview survey was performed among secondary school students in two Latin American cities - Cochabamba (Bolivia) and Cuenca (Ecuador) between September and November 2011. A logistic regression model was applied to analyze predictors of adolescents‘ perception of sexual intercourse. The attitudes towards women scale for adolescents (Galambos and Petersen, 1985) was used as indicator for the gender attitude. Results. Globally 3519 and 3263 adolescents, aged between 12-18, c...

the International Journal of Person-Centered Medicine, 2012

Background and aim : Both concepts “person” and “people” centred are explored within primary heal... more Background and aim : Both concepts “person” and “people” centred are explored within primary health care as defined in the declaration of Alma-Ata (1978) and the WHR 2008. They share common values like respect and features like empowerment. Among those are values like equity and social justice, the necessity to address the upstream causes of ill health , the need to integrate primary care and public health, the urge for a health systems approach and the importance of ‘social cohesion’ and the role of ‘social capital’. This review aimed to provide a relatively simple structure to understand the complex comprehensive people centred health care strategy. An understandable structure is a prerequisite to identify measurable (universal) indicators to support action at all levels of the health care system. Methods : An explorative literature review on the concepts of patient, person, people and community centred or oriented care was performed. The obtained literature was structured using a...

The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2013

The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care, 2013

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021

Although family physicians (FPs) are community-oriented primary care generalists and should be th... more Although family physicians (FPs) are community-oriented primary care generalists and should be the entry point for the population’s interaction with the health system, they are underrepresented in research on the climate change, migration, and health(care) nexus (hereafter referred to as the nexus). Similarly, FPs can provide valuable insights into building capacity through integrating health-determining sectors for climate-resilient and migration-inclusive health systems, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Here, we explore FPs’ perceptions on the nexus in SSA and on intersectoral capacity building. Three focus groups conducted during the 2019 WONCA-Africa conference in Uganda were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using an inductive thematic approach. Participants’ perceived interactions related to (1) migration and climate change, (2) migration for better health and healthcare, (3) health impacts of climate change and the role of healthcare, and (4) health impacts of migratio...

European Journal of Public Health, 2013

public health is essential to meet the special needs of different age groups and backgrounds amon... more public health is essential to meet the special needs of different age groups and backgrounds among adolescent boys. Key messages Among older boys (14-16 years old) with divorced parents, an increased risk of low mental health rating was seen, however when adjusting for household wealth the association disappeared. Among older boys (14-16 years old) having two or more negative socioeconomic variables increased the risk of low rated mental health, the association remained after adjusting for household wealth.

Global Health Action, 2013

Objectives: To elicit the views of primary healthcare providers from Bolivia, Ecuador, and Nicara... more Objectives: To elicit the views of primary healthcare providers from Bolivia, Ecuador, and Nicaragua on how adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) care in their communities can be improved. Methods: Overall, 126 healthcare providers (46 from Bolivia, 39 from Ecuador, and 41 from Nicaragua) took part in this qualitative study. During a series of moderated discussions, they provided written opinions about the accessibility and appropriateness of ASRH services and suggestions for its improvement. The data were analyzed by employing a content analysis methodology. Results: Study participants emphasized managerial issues such as the prioritization of adolescents as a patient group and increased healthcare providers' awareness about adolescent-friendly approaches. They noted that such an approach needs to be extended beyond primary healthcare centers. Schools, parents, and the community in general should be encouraged to integrate issues related to ASRH in the everyday life of adolescents and become 'gate-openers' to ASRH services. To ensure the success of such measures, action at the policy level would be required. For example, decision-makers could call for developing clinical guidelines for this population group and coordinate multisectoral efforts. Conclusions: To improve ASRH services within primary healthcare institutions in three Latin American countries, primary healthcare providers call for focusing on improving the youth-friendliness of health settings. To facilitate this, they suggested engaging with key stakeholders, such as parents, schools, and decision-makers at the policy level.

Bulletin of the World Health Organization

BackgroundCoping with a chronic disease can be really challenging. Self-management represents a p... more BackgroundCoping with a chronic disease can be really challenging. Self-management represents a promising strategy to improve daily life experiences. The role of primary healthcare professionals cannot be underestimated in supporting self-management. Due to a shortage of theory, implementation of self-management support is hindered in primary care practice. The aim of this study is to create a conceptual model for self-management support by analysing patients’ care experiences towards self-management support. MethodsAn explorative-descriptive qualitative study was conducted in Flanders, Belgium. Semi-structured interviews were performed with 16 patients and their informal caregiver (dyads) using a purposive sampling strategy and processed by an inductive content analysis. ResultsInterviews revealed in-depth insights into patients’ care experiences. A conceptual model was developed for primary care practice, including five fundamental tasks for healthcare professionals - Supporting, ...