Adolescent- Friendly Health Services (ADFHS)

Adolescent- Friendly Health Services (ADFHS)

In south Sudan adolescents face many health challenges particularly reproductive health which include early/unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, STIs/HIV/AIDS, female genital mutilation psychosocial problems such as substance abuse, delinquency, truancy, sexual abuse. As a result of the above problems, many adolescents drop out of schools. Adolescents and young people need to be reached with Adolescent- Friendly Health Services (ADFHS) to mitigate the multiple health challenges and behavioural risks that they are faced with. Children’s Aid will do this in a manner that ensures availability and accessibility by all young people. Young people and the community will be sensitised on the existence of the adolescent health services to ensure sustainability and acceptability. Parents, communities and leaders will be able to appreciate to and enable them support young people to access ADFHS services in the communities, schools and health facilities.

Adolescent Friendly Health services offered by Children’s Aid include:

·         Clinical Care for Sexual gender-based violence

·         Prenatal care and maternity care for pregnant adolescents

·         HPV immunization

·         HIV counselling and testing

·         Breast examination and information on cancer cervix

·         Information and counselling on health especially growth and development

·         Information on their rights and responsibilities.

·         Referral and follow up

Target and priority groups:

All adolescents are eligible for adolescent friendly services irrespective of their age or mental status. Every adolescent in need is to be targeted however; Children’s Aid priority group will be:-

Ø  Primary

Adolescents and their peers (10-24 years)

The priority groups, in both rural and urban areas, will include:

·         Adolescent girls;

·         Adolescents in employment likely to expose them to sexual and substance abuse and unprotected sex;

·         Adolescents with mental/ physical disability;

·         Adolescents living with HIV/AIDS;

·         Adolescents with violent behaviour;

·         Adolescents under conviction or incarceration;

·         Orphaned adolescents;

·         Adolescents with substance abuse problems;

·         Adolescents with abortion complications;

·         Displaced adolescents e.g refugees and street children;

·         Pregnant and lactating adolescents;

·         Physically abused adolescents;

·         Adolescent in poverty situation;

Ø  Secondary

·         Parents and guardians

·         Service providers

·         School teachers

·         Tutors/ Lecturers

·         Sectoral extension workers

·         Village health teams.

·         Sexual workers

Target for IEC messages of Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health

Children’s Aid will use IEC to increase every one’s understanding of adolescent health issues so as to increase the utilization of adolescent friendly services.

The message will include:

·         Adolescent sexuality;

·         Contraception, including emergency contraception;

·         Unwanted pregnancies

·         Unsafe abortion;

·         Early marriages

·         Gender based domestic, sexual abuse and violence such as rape defilement and incest;

·         Care during pregnancy;

·         Care of infants;

·         Prevention of STI/HIV/AIDS;

·         Voluntary counselling and testing for HIV;

·         Harmful traditional practices eg FGM and widow inheritance

·         Risky sexual behaviour;

·         Substance abuse;

·         Proper nutrition and personal hygiene

·         How to avoid accidents

·         Special RH needs for adolescents with disabilities

·         Socio- economic consequences of adolescent ill health;

·         Life skills

Target for IEC messages of Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH)

The message will be targeted at the following:

·         Adolescents;

·         Parents/guardians;

·         Service providers including community based distributors and community health workers;

·         Sectoral extension workers

·         Community leaders at all levels;

·         NGOs and development partners;

·         Religious bodies and leaders;

·         High risk male groups eg boda boda, taxi and truck drivers

·         ‘sugar mummies and daddies’.

·         Personel to carry out IEC activities

Anybody who is adequately trained will be actively involved. It is, however, intended that the following will be at the forefront:

·         Peer educators;

·         All trained /oriented service providers;

·         All oriented teachers, community development officers/ assistants;

·         Community RH workers;

·         All extension workers;

·         Village RH committee member;