Body mapping as a participatory method to explore health provider beliefs and understanding about sexual and reproductive health and rights in Timor-Leste

Understanding the attitudes, knowledge, and practice of a health provider towards sexual and reproductive health (SRH) can provide valuable insight about how a primary health care system is functioning, and if it is meeting the SRH needs of its population. We conducted collaborative, participatory, and operational research to explore access to male methods of family planning in The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (Timor-Leste), from a health provider perspective. We conducted in-depth interviews (IDIs) with 24 health providers in 2019. Fifteen midwives, four doctors, three nurses and two family planning counsellors participated (16 women, 8 men; aged 25–56 years). IDIs comprised of semi-structured open-ended questions followed by body mapping activities. Moving from open-ended questions to body mapping activities enabled participants to engage with the research questions in complimentary but different ways, resulting in more in-depth and insightful data. The body mapping activities provided flexibility, time and scope for participants to reflect on their beliefs and practices in a more detailed and tangible way, and in ways they controlled and found acceptable. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The body mapping method helped to demonstrate there was limited knowledge and experience about male SRH amongst health providers participating in our study, with many expressing interest to upskill in this area. Insights from our research can be used to inform health policy and programmatic decision-making in Timor-Leste. We conclude that when used appropriately, body mapping is an effective participatory research tool that can be used with health providers to explore SRH.