AEGiS-14IAC: Sex, studies and strife: are reproductive health services for young people sensitive to their needs?

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

Sex, studies and strife: are reproductive health services for young people sensitive to their needs?

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. E11449)

Andrew G, Patel V, Ramakrishna J
RCI, Goa, India

BACKGROUND: Despite the focus on adolescent reproductive health, beyond KAP studies there is little data on adolescent's concept of health priorities or concerns. The project design was to provide data on issues, like depression, substance abuse and other needs, to make adolescent reproductive health services sensitive to adolescent concerns.

OBJECTIVE: To elicit health priorities and needs expressed by the adolescents and teachers, to develop need-based services in higher secondary school settings.

METHOD: The study sample was students of the XI standard in 8 higher secondary schools of South Goa. Qualitative research tools (freelists, focus group discussions and key informant interviews) elicited information on general concerns of adolescents, used to develop a questionnaire for a cross sectional survey conducted on 811 students who comprised around 80% of the total number of students. Significant findings were presented at Focus group discussions with teachers and students to consider its implications. Findings: Most adolescents enjoy good physical health, do not engage in risky behaviour and have good relationships with parents and friends. Notable concerns: difficulties with studies, personal appearance, and parental restrictions. Abuse and violence were associated with high rates of poor mental health and risky sexual behaviour. Ignorance of basic sexual health practices. Inappropriate information sources on sexuality, like blue films, among boys and queries not addressed by current sources of information. Implications: Relevant sex education to be nested within other services like career guidance, stress management, common health problems, conflict resolution and body image with in-house counselling in schools for their varied but interconnected needs. Need for counselling services and programs for Parents and teachers on general handling of adolescents or those in distress and for schools and parents to ensure safety from abusive experiences.

Keywords: AEGIS, Reproductive Health Services, Health Services Needs and Demand, Coitus, Sex Behavior, Sex Education, Adolescent Health Services, Focus Groups, Students, Sexuality, School Health Services, Adolescent Behavior, Mental Health Services, Schools, Adolescent Psychology, Attitude to Health, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Parents, Cross-Sectional Studies, Qualitative Research, Health Education, Health, Health Services Research, Adolescent, Adolescence, Human, Male

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E11449