Introduction There is a paucity of knowledge regarding adolescent's preferences for care. The health related problems they face have implications for individuals and nations. Objectives To determine the health problems and needs of adolescents, their knowledge, use of, and preferences for health related services and service providers. Study design A descriptive study involving a two-stage probability sample. An interview schedule was designed for data collection. Setting Eight randomly selected main-stream high schools in Stoke-on-Trent, England. Subjects One hundred and eleven males and 142 females aged 14 and 15 years between 1 st April and 30th June 1994. Results The adolescents had unmet problems and needs relating to lifestyle and risk-taking behaviour, sexual and reproductive health, and emotional problems, influenced by socio-economic and legislative factors. Services were used primarily for physical problems. Knowledge of the location and opening times of two local contraceptive services for adolescents was poor (10/253,4%). Factors they associated with confidentiality were identified. Preferences for service providers varied with the nature of the problem. The girls were more likely to give advice to peers regarding substance abuse, and issues relating to sexual and reproductive health, and expressed a greater preference for advice from peers on these issues. The services the adolescents wanted to see provided were appropriate to their needs and reflected a holistic concept of health. Conclusions • The Health of the Nation targets will not be met unless these problems and needs are addressed. • Potential intervention points for health promotion are being missed. • Local services must be widely advertised. • Adolescents need specific reassurance from service providers that their care will be confidential. • Positive actions adolescents are prepared to take need reinforcing. • Peer counselling programmes might be expected to have a greater positive impact on girls. • Adolescents' opinions regarding service provision must be taken into account.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:339846 |
| Date | January 1996 |
| Creators | Oppong-Odiseng, Amma C. K. |
| Publisher | Keele University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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