The perception of adolescent medicine among health care professionals in Saudi Arabia.

The purpose of this study was to survey a group of Health Care Professionals (HCP) to assess their perception on adolescent health care and the need for dedicated adolescent health care facilities in the country. Cross-sectional, close-ended survey designed and administered to assess several categorical variables, was conducted on 500 HCP selected by a nonrandom quota-based convenience sample. No significant differences were found between different HCP positions with regard to all collected variables. Approximately 90% acknowledged that behavioral issues and health education can affect services. Three-quarters of the respondents were aware that a special division was dedicated to adolescent medicine. Thirty-seven percent recognized adolescent medicine as a pediatric subspecialty and 81% agreed that adolescent reproductive health education and promotion are important. This survey showed that health care professionals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have a clear perception about the need for specialized adolescent health services. Therefore, provision of adolescent health services should be supported by health policy-makers.