Challenges and opportunities in achieving sustainable development goal 3 in KwaZulu-Natal
Reflections from a research institute, South Africa
Bibliographic Data
South Africa is committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which aims to ensure health and well-being for all. However, in rural provinces like KwaZulu-Natal, structural inequalities, socio-cultural challenges, and environmental stressors hinder progress. This study synthesises findings from qualitative research conducted at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) to explore the challenges and opportunities in meeting SDG 3 targets. An integrative literature review was conducted, analysing studies from 2015 to 2024 that focused on SDG 3related topics, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, and the impact of climate change. A framework analysis approach was applied to identify common themes, opportunities and challenges to achieving SDG 3 in rural KwaZulu-Natal. Key challenges to achieving SDG 3 include limited access to healthcare, socio-cultural norms that influence health-seeking behaviours, climate-related stressors, and gender disparities. Studies highlighted poor maternal immunisation uptake due to traditional beliefs, stigma-related challenges in HIV prevention, and climate-induced economic hardships affecting treatment adherence. Gendered challenges were prominent, with men’s healthcare engagement being hindered by masculinity norms and adolescent girls facing restricted access to sexual health services. The COVID-19 pandemic further disrupted access to healthcare, particularly for older adults. Despite these challenges, opportunities exist for progress. Community-driven interventions such as DREAMS and MTV-Shuga improved adolescent engagement with sexual health education. Male-focused interventions like Stepping Stones and Creating Futures increased men’s involvement in HIV care. Additionally, integration of climate adaptation strategies into health systems could mitigate environmental health risks. This study provides critical insights for policymakers to enhance the progress towards achieving SDG 3. To do so policymakers should focus on addressing systemic healthcare challenges, integrating gender-responsive interventions, and strengthening community-based health initiatives. Climate-resilient healthcare infrastructure and policies are crucial to ensuring sustained progress. Future efforts should focus on expanding youth-friendly services, enhancing male engagement in healthcare, and leveraging local partnerships to improve health outcomes in rural communities
Biostatistics · Health equity · Pandemic · Psychological intervention · Public health · Qualitative research · Reproductive health · Sustainable development · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Climate Change and Health Impacts · Global Maternal and Child Health · Health Policy
Sustainable Development Goals
The impact of the Covid-19 lockdown on HIV care in 65 South African primary care clinics
Translating Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Interdependencies into Policy Advice
Writing Integrative Literature Reviews
Prevention and early intervention in youth mental health
Community participation in health services development, implementation, and evaluation
HIV Infection and Aids in Sub-Saharan Africa
Using the framework method for the analysis of qualitative data in multi-disciplinary health research
Adaptation and pre-test of a shortened Stepping Stones and Creating Futures intervention focused on HIV for young men in rural South Africa
Non-communicable diseases in sub-Saharan Africa
Handling a complex agenda
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Requires Transdisciplinary Innovation at the Local Scale
Investigating the implementation of differentiated HIV services and implications for pregnant and postpartum women
Engaging the ‘Missing Men’ in the HIV Treatment Cascade
Institutional Responses to Drought in a High HIV Prevalence Setting in Rural South Africa
Maternal mortality by socio-demographic characteristics and cause of death in South Africa
Evaluating the impact of the DREAMS partnership to reduce HIV incidence among adolescent girls and young women in four settings
Stigma in the health clinic and implications for PrEP access and use by adolescent girls and young women
Intersectional Stigma and Implementation of HIV Prevention and Treatment Services for Adolescents Living with and at Risk for HIV
The impact of climate change and natural disasters on vulnerable populations
State of mental health and illness in South Africa
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |