Adolescent Friendly Health Services in Dakshina Kannada: Assessing Awareness, Accessibility, and Utilization Patterns - A Cross-Sectional Study
Keywords:
Healthcare accessibility, youth engagement, public health intervention, community outreach and health literacyAbstract
Background: Adolescence is a crucial stage of human development, laying the foundation for lifelong health and well-being. Recognizing this, the Adolescent Friendly Health Services (AFHS) program was launched on January 7, 2014, under the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK). The initiative aims to address adolescents' specific health needs sensitively and encourage their sustained engagement in healthcare. However, awareness and utilization of AFHS remain low, highlighting the need for enhanced outreach efforts.
Objective: This study aims to assess adolescents' knowledge of AFHS and examine the factors influencing their utilization of these services.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents in Ullal Taluk, Dakshina Kannada. A total of 300 adolescents were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected through face-to-face (on-the-spot) surveys using a structured, validated, and pre-tested questionnaire.
Results: The study found that 51.4% of adolescents had heard about AFHS, with healthcare providers (20%) and the internet (13.7%) being the primary sources of information. However, awareness of local AFHS facilities was low, with only 27.3% acknowledging their existence, while 36.7% were unaware of them. Utilization of AFHS services was notably limited, with only 13% of adolescents having visited an AFHS clinic.
Conclusion: Enhancing adolescents' knowledge and utilization of AFHS in Dakshina Kannada requires a comprehensive approach. Strengthening education and awareness initiatives through collaboration among educational institutions, healthcare providers, and government agencies is essential to improving adolescent health and well-being.
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