Youth friendly health services and role of outreach activities to improve access to services

Ruchi Sogarwal, Murari Chandra, Sunil Mehra

MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and Child, New Delhi, India.

DOI: 10.4236/ojpm.2013.32026                

Abstract

An attempt has been made to assess the Youth Friendly Health Services (YFHS) from the clients’ perspectives and the role of outreach community-based approach (Youth Information Center, YIC) in improving access to services. A cross- sectional study was undertaken in Arajiline and Hoskote blocks in Varanasi and Bangalore districts respectively using primarily a quantitative technique. A consecutive sample of 120 clients from 4 selected clinics was interviewed after seeking services from YFHS. Additionally, facility assessment of clinics and 8 FGDs were conducted among community members and the young people in the community. Majority of the clients (90.8%) are aware that YFHS provide services to young males and females separately on specific day and time. Nearly 66% clients visited YFHS to sought treatment for three key health problems i.e. menstruation problems (25.4%) followed by general illness (22.8%) and swelling/itching of private parts (21.1%). In Hos- akote privacy was maintained during the con- sultation with the doctor, however, situation was relatively not better in Arajiline. Out of those clients who had visited YIC atleast once, 49 out of 53 in Arajiline and 51 out of 60 in Hasokote reported that the YIC staff/activities had motivated them to sought services at YFHS. Study concludes that while majority of the clients were satisfied with the services at YFHS, there is a need for strengthening the existing “package” of the services. At facility level, reassurance about the privacy and confidentially and alternative ways to promote access and utilization of services by active involvement of young people is recommended. On the other hand, at outreach level, new technologies should be introduced to generate demand, intensive focus on adults in the community and integration of YIC with local governance and school environment is suggested so as to protect young people against poor health outcomes.

Keywords

Youth Friendly Health Services; Reproductive Sexual Health; Adolescent; India

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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