Ngobua Samuel J, Omuemu Vivian O, Ande Adedapo B A, Olaleye Oladipupo S, Awunor Nyemike S, Ieren Igbaver I
University of Benin, Edo state, Nigeria.
Johns Hopkins Centre for Communication Programs, Nigeria.
Afr J Reprod Health. 2024 Oct 31;28(10):131-140. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2024/v28i10.13.
Adolescence is a phase of life characterized by several reproductive health challenges that require support to navigate. However, access to adolescent and youth-friendly health service (AYFHS) centers to provide this support is limited. Perspective of healthcare workers (HCW) towards understanding the challenges to service provision has not been systematically documented. This study therefore documents the perspectives of HCWs on the types of services accessed by adolescents, and associated challenges in Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria. The facility-based descriptive qualitative study used an in-depth interview guide among program officers in the 11 youth-friendly health centers. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. The provision of HIV prevention services and AYFHS was appropriate while adolescents have preferences for facilities where their confidentiality is protected, and other needs are met. Reported challenges were lack of privacy, high cost of transportation to facilities, high staff attrition, poor awareness of the facilities and services, and parental consent. Suggestions for improvement included prolonged retention of youth-friendly trained staff, better client confidentiality, and economic empowerment of the adolescents to access services when needed. While the providers' perspective on AYFHS for adolescents was positive, related challenges were also identified. Government and other stakeholders should collaborate to ensure the right environment for accessibility and utilization of AYFHS.
青春期是人生的一个阶段，其特点是存在若干生殖健康挑战，需要得到支持才能应对。然而，提供此类支持的青少年友好型保健服务（AYFHS）中心数量有限。医护人员对服务提供方面挑战的理解尚未得到系统记录。因此，本研究记录了尼日利亚贝努埃州马库尔迪医护人员对青少年获得的服务类型及相关挑战的看法。这项基于机构的描述性定性研究采用了深入访谈指南，对11个青少年友好型保健中心的项目官员进行访谈。访谈进行了录音、转录并进行主题分析。艾滋病预防服务和青少年友好型保健服务的提供是恰当的，同时青少年更倾向于选择能保护其隐私并满足其他需求的机构。报告的挑战包括缺乏隐私、前往机构的交通成本高、工作人员流失率高、对机构和服务的认知度低以及需要家长同意。改进建议包括延长对青少年友好型培训员工的留用时间、更好地保护客户隐私以及赋予青少年经济能力以便在需要时获得服务。虽然提供者对青少年友好型保健服务的看法是积极的，但也发现了相关挑战。政府和其他利益相关者应合作，确保为青少年友好型保健服务的可及性和利用创造合适的环境。
