Nkosi, BusisiweSeeley, JanetNgwenya, NothandoMchunu, S. LeratoGumede, DumileFerguson, JaneDoyle, Aoife M.2022-11-072022-11-072019-03-28Nkosi, B. et al. 2019. Exploring adolescents and young people's candidacy for utilising health services in a rural district, South Africa. BMC health services research. 19(1): 195-. doi:10.1186/s12913-019-3960-11472-6963 (Online)pubmed: 30922372pmc: PMC6438017https://hdl.handle.net/10321/4501We use the 'candidacy framework' to describe adolescents' and young people's (AYP) experiences of health services in a rural KwaZulu-Natal district, South Africa.<h4>Methods</h4>A qualitative approach was used including group discussions, in-depth and key informant interviews with a purposive sample of AYP (n = 70), community leaders (n = 15), school health teams (n = 10), and health service providers (n = 6).<h4>Results</h4>Findings indicate tacit understanding among AYP that they are candidates for general health services. However, HIV stigma, apprehensions and misconceptions about sexual and reproductive health, and socio-cultural views which disapprove of AYP pre-marital sex undermine their candidacy for sexual and reproductive services.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Consideration and understanding of the vulnerabilities and reasons AYP exclude themselves will inform interventions to address their health needs. AYP's participation in the design of health services will increase their acceptability and encourage uptake of services.12 pElectronicenCandidacyHealth service utilisationSouth AfricaVulnerabilityYoung people0807 Library and Information Studies1110 Nursing1117 Public Health and Health ServicesHealth Policy & ServicesHumansFocus GroupsSexual BehaviorMarriageAdolescentAdultChildRural HealthReproductive Health ServicesPatient Acceptance of Health CareSouth AfricaFemaleMaleSocial StigmaReproductive HealthSexual HealthFacilities and Services UtilizationAdolescentAdultChildFacilities and Services UtilizationFemaleFocus GroupsHumansMaleMarriagePatient Acceptance of Health CareReproductive HealthReproductive Health ServicesRural HealthSexual BehaviorSexual HealthSocial StigmaSouth AfricaArticle2022-10-2610.1186/s12913-019-3960-1