Predictors of education and utilization of adolescent-friendly health services among youth in Kumbungu district, Ghana

PurposeThis paper assessed factors affecting adolescent-friendly health services (AFHS), education and utilization among youth (10–19 years) in Kumbungu district, Ghana.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a cross-sectional design involving 416 adolescents from households using a random sampling technique. The authors collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, education and utilization of AFHS using a semi-structured questionnaire between June and September 2017. Logistic regression models were used to determine the factors associated with AFHS education and utilization.FindingsOf the 416 adolescents interviewed, 66% were between 15 and 19 years. Half (50%) of the adolescents received AFHS education, 54% utilized existing services and 85% knew about health challenges. Females (aOR = 0.64; p = 0.031) were less likely to receive AFHS education compared to males. Muslims (aOR = 0.21; p < 0.001) were less likely to utilize AFHS compared to Christians. Adolescents with primary (aOR = 6.65; p = 0.020), junor high school (JHS) (aOR = 10.66, p = 0.079) or senior high school (SHS) (aOR = 1.04; p = 0.954) education were more likely to utilize AFHSs compared to those with no education.Originality/valueThis study reports a moderate level of education and the utilization of adolescent health services. Sex, religion and education are the key predictors of AFHS education and utilization. This study contributes to the understanding of adolescent health services and the foundation for future studies. It may be used for the planning of adolescent health service programs in disadvantaged settings.

Making Health Services Adolescent-Friendly in Northeastern Peninsular Malaysia: A Mixed-Methods Study

A mixed-methods study was conducted in a Malaysian state beginning with a cross-sectional quantitative study to determine the relationship between clinic characteristics and clinic score of adolescent-friendliness. Subsequently, perceptions of healthcare providers on the facilitating factors for the provision of adolescent-friendly health services were explored qualitatively to support the quantitative findings. Availability of trained healthcare providers, adequate privacy, dedicated adolescent health services team, and adolescent health promotional activities were the clinic characteristics that significantly (p < 0.05) related with clinics’ scores of adolescent-friendliness. The facilitating factors required for adolescent-friendly health services were (1) healthcare providers’ commitment and prioritization towards adolescent-friendly health services; (2) organizational supports; (3) appropriate clinic settings; and (4) external supports for adolescent health promotional activities. The qualitative findings reaffirmed those of the quantitative study on the significant clinic characteristics required for adolescent-friendly health services. This study provides valuable insight for the Ministry of Health to elicit the required facilitating factors to further improve the quality of adolescent health services in Malaysia.

Strategies of care for adolescent users of crack undergoing treatment

Objective. To analyze the care strategies of the adolescent crack user under treatment. Methods. Study of qualitative approach of descriptive type. The participants were 20 professionals from the Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Álcool e Drogas (Center for Psychosocial Care Alcohol and Drugs) and 10 professionals from the Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Infanto-juvenil (Center for Child Psychosocial Care) in a municipality in the interior of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil). Data collection occurred through semi-structured interviews and the data were submitted to Thematic Analysis. Results. It was identified the development of strategies in four scopes: attractive activities in specialized services, the building of bonds between the team and the adolescent, the inclusion of family in the care and the intersectoral work. Conclusion. Care strategies, directed to and that address the needs of adolescents, contribute to better adherence to treatment and social reintegration.Descriptors: Adolescent; Crack Cocaine; Street Drugs; Mental Health; adolescent health services; qualitative research.How to cite this article: Ribeiro JP, Gomes GC, Mota MS, Ortiz E, Eslabão AD. Strategies of care for adolescent users of crack undergoing treatment. Invest. Educ. Enferm. 2019; 37(3):e12.

Barriers on access to and use of adolescent health services in Ghana

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore perceived barriers to accessing and using adolescent health services in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach The study was a qualitative study adopting a case study design. In total, 24 adolescents were recruited from four adolescent health facilities in Tema, a suburb of Ghana, using convenient sampling. In-depth interviews with respondents were conducted coupled with the taking of field notes and personal observations. Data collection took place between January and May 2017. Data were transcribed, managed and coded for themes. Thematic analysis was guided by Braun and Clarke’s (2006) Framework. Findings The findings of this study revealed that majority of the respondents were females (54 percent) older adolescents (above 15 years (60 percent), students (79 percent)), had junior high school education and stayed with their biological parent(s) (70 percent). Adolescents in this study perceived four main barriers that restrict their access to or use of adolescent health services. The barriers were found at the facility level, provider level, community level and personal level. Originality/value The findings of this study provide evidence-based information for planning adolescent health care interventions that would improve adolescents’ access to and use of health services in Ghana.

Needs Assesment of Adolescent Health Services

Health problems surround the adolescent rises everytime, yet it does unexcelled with their awareness or knowledge about that problems. The adolescent health service that are poorly accesced by the adolescent become the indicator that proves that the adolescent health services are not fully known and utilized yet. The assesment of adolesccent health services need has to be done so that it can be fully understand by the helper, target and stakeholder. This study aimed to analyse the adolescent health service need in Karang Bendo, Banguntapan, Bantul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The study was conducted in 2016 using cross-sectional approach. The results revealed that the level of adolsecent’s knowledge are still relatively poor: reproductive health knowledge (44.1%), HIV/AIDS (41.2%), smoke (50%), drugs (58.8%), and healthy lifestyle () (47.1%). The majority of respondents said that they need health services about reproduction health (94.1%), HIV/AIDS (91.2%), smoke (91.2%), drugs (88.2%) and healthy lifestyle (91.2%).