Mapping stakeholders, services, data, and the information system for adolescent health in the West Bank.

BACKGROUND

Adolescent health plays a crucial role in shaping lifelong well-being, yet significant gaps exist in addressing adolescent health needs. In conflict-affected regions like the West Bank, fragmented service delivery, inconsistent data collection, and lack of coordination between providers undermine the effectiveness of health services. An efficient health information system ensures accurate data collection, stakeholder integration, and evidence-based decision-making. This study aims to map the landscape of available adolescent health services in the West Bank, clarify the key service providers, determine the existing data sources, and describe the health information system supporting adolescent health.

METHODS

This study utilized a comprehensive landscape analysis to assess adolescent health services in the West Bank. Stakeholder mapping and interviews identified key stakeholders and assessed their roles in service delivery and the health information system. Ethical approval was obtained, and all participants provided informed consent. Data were collected from different healthcare organizations, including governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations, and private facilities. Thematic analysis was performed on interview data, and geospatial analysis was used to visualize the distribution of services and providers across 11 governorates using ArcMap 10.5.

RESULTS

Governmental bodies, non-governmental organizations, and private entities were the predominant providers of adolescent health services in the West Bank. These services were primarily delivered through healthcare facilities, educational institutions, youth centers, and select population-based programs, including vaccination initiatives and the 121 hotline, which provides free psychological support to victims of violence. The adolescent health information system in the West Bank was fragmented, with inconsistent data collection across providers. Governmental, NGO, and private sector organizations use different data systems. Each type of provider used population-based surveys as the primary source of health data. However, there were limitations in the availability of routine data.

CONCLUSIONS

This study represents the first comprehensive mapping of adolescent stakeholders and services in the West Bank. Identifying the existing services accessible to adolescents and their providers establishes a foundation for developing target policies and programs that address the current gap and needs of adolescents in the West Bank.