Rapid appraisal of needs in reproductive health care in southern Sudan: qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES To identify the need for reproductive health care among a community affected by conflict, and to ascertain the priority given by the community to reproductive health issues. DESIGN Rapid appraisal. This comprised interviews with key informants, in-depth interviews, and group discussions. Secondary data were collated. Freelisting, ranking, and scenarios were used to obtain information. SETTING Communities affected by conflict in southern Sudan. PARTICIPANTS Interviews and group discussions were chosen purposively. Twenty interviews with key informants were undertaken, in-depth interviews were held with 14 women, and 23 group discussions were held. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Need for reproductive health care. Perceived priority afforded to reproductive health issues in comparison with other health problems. RESULTS Reproductive health in general and sexually transmitted diseases in particular were important issues for these communities. Problems in reproductive health were ranked differently depending on the age and sex of the respondents. Perceptions about reproductive health issues in communities varied between service providers, and community leaders. Settled and displaced communities had different priorities and differing experiences of reproductive health problems and their treatment. CONCLUSION Rapid appraisal could be used as the first step to involving communities in assessing needs and planning service provision.