Adolescents friendly health services

Adolescent Friendly Health Service is a service provided by health institutions that focuses on the welfare of adolescents (10-19 years of age) through the guidance on how to maximize the use of health care services in the adolescents.
Samundratar Health Post, Nuwakot is providing AFHS with its limited resources given.

1. A Presentation on Adolescent Friendly Health Services ( AFHS ) Provided by Samundratar Health Post Presented By: Group ‘A’ BPH 2 nd Batch KAHS 1

2. Group Members Aashma Dhungana Anita Shakya Bhim Saud Dilip Khadka Munu Lama Nandakishor Mandal Pranisha Adhikari Rimsha Shilakar Sanjaya Dahal Shisam Neupane Shushant Bam Subash Poudel 2

3. Content Introduction Objectives Methodology Findings Conclusion Recommendation Reference Annex 3

4. Background of Samundratar Health Post Samundratar Health Post is situated in the Dupcheswor Rural Municipality, Samundratar ward no.6 of Nuwakot. It provides different facillities like; OPD on basic health services, TB screening, eye clinic, adolescent friendly services etc. 4

5. Introduction: Adolescent Friendly Health Services ( AFHS ) Adolescent Friendly Health Service is a service provided by health institutions that focuses on the welfare of adolescents (10-19 years of age) through the guidance on how to maximize the use of health care services in the adolescents. 5

6. Nepal Government launched a national program in 2010 to provide adolescent-friendly health services as part of its five-year health sector plan. It aims to serve all adolescents. Although launched in the era of the MDG that ended in 2015, the program is in the spirit of the SDG (2015–30). 6

7. National standards for AFHS 1. Service delivery packages responding to adolescents’ health needs should be provided at service delivery points 2. Health services should be organized to effectively deliver services, ensuring availability of trained providers, equipment and supplies 3. Conducive facility environment is provided that identifies and addresses the barriers that adolescents face accessing services 7

8. 4. Service providers have the capacity and motivation to address the needs of adolescents (includes clinical and supportive staff) 5. An enabling community environment exists for adolescents to access services 6. Adolescents are well informed about services 7. Adolescents and youth are provided with skills-based SRH education 8. Protection of sexual and reproductive health and rights of adolescents and removal of stigma and discrimination 9. Health management systems are in place to support planning, implementation and monitoring 8

9. Characteristics of AFHS Programmatic: • Involvement of adolescents in program development and implementation • Male and female adolescents welcomed and treated equally • Unmarried clients welcomed and served without prejudice • Parental involvement encouraged but not compulsory • Adequate supply of contraceptives • Short waiting time 9

10. Availability of IEC materials at facility • Coordination with schools, youth clubs and other institutions • Provision of alternative ways for adolescents to access information, counseling and services outside routine health care delivery system 10

11. Providers: • In-depth knowledge and skills concerning counseling, examination and referral • Trained on ASRH issues (through National Health Training Centre) • Shows respect without prejudice • Ensures privacy and confidentiality • Spends adequate time with clients • Capable of providing counseling on ASRH issues 11

12. Facility: • Convenient opening hours for adolescents • Convenient location • Adequate space • Appropriate place for registration and waiting • Ensure sufficient privacy (visual and auditory) • Welcoming environment (quiet, availability of drinking water, toilet facilities) • Availability of IEC and BCC materials 12

13. Objectives General Objective To find about the Adolescent Friendly Health Service (AFHS) provided by Samundratar Health Post Specific Objectives To study whether the AFHS characteristics of Samundratar Health Post is met or not To assess the activities conducted by Health Post to solve health problems of adolescents in Samundratar community 13

14. Methodology Study Area: Samundratar HP, Nuwakot Study Design: Cross sectional study design Primary source: Informal Interview Observation Secondary source: Citizens Charter of HP Annual report   14

15. Findings What does it have? Though, not completely followed the standard guideline of GoN for AFHS , some of the services are provided specifically for adolescents. It provides services of counseling to the adolescent. It works for promotion of sexual and reproductive health service of adolescent. It provides family planning information to the adolescent who visits the health post due to curiosity. Also, condoms were provided freely and easily in order to prevent unsafe sex. 15

16. Male and female adolescent were not discriminated during services and treated equally. The waiting period was short, and service was quick. School Health programs related to adolescents health were conducted sometimes in coordination with other organization. The environment is quiet and peaceful. 16

17. Things to be Improved It does not have separate room for AFHS to maintain privacy. Involvement of adolescents in program planning is lacking. IEC materials were not in sufficient amount. There were no any hoarding board with information that it provides adolescent friendly health services. Due to lack of information that the health post provides the service of information about reproductive health of their age, adolescent do not visit the health post. 17

18. Conclusion In countries like Nepal, where sexual and reproductive related topics are mostly stigmatized, most of the people are not comfortable with the topic of sexual and reproductive health so, adolescent hides their curiosity within themselves. Samundratar Health Post is working in its best possible manner to provide health services to the people. Some of the characteristics of AFHS are met by health post whereas some are still to be improved. Still, there were some lackings to provide the adequate adolescent friendly health services even if the citizens charter of the health post clearly mentioned about it. 18

19. Recommendation Better if people were well aware about the facilities provided by the health post. A focal person for this specific facility would be more fruitful. Use of more and proper IEC materials would be more effective to provide the respective services. Regular and specific trainings could be given to the staffs. Better if, awareness programs related adolescents health and problems were conducted frequently. 19

20. Annex 20

21. 21

22. www.nepal.unicef.org www.fhd.gov.np www.who.int 22

23. Thank you….  23