Title:
Adolescent friendly health services in Tanzania
Authors:
Mchallo, C.J.
Year:
2008
PAGE:
49
Language:
eng
Subject:
Health and Nutrition
Keywords:
health services
,
reproductive health
,
youth
,
disease prevention and control
,
HIV and AIDS
Abstract:
An adolescent in Tanzania face sexual and reproductive health problems leading to disability, diseases and even death. Sexual and Reproductive Health Services (SRH) are often adult centred and limited. This paper provides an overview of the country Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH) in Tanzania, factors contributing to these problems, and actions that have been taken in Tanzania and in the neighbouring countries to address ASRH. This paper provides recommendations on how to improve ASRH based on literature review. Majority of adolescents are at risk of unsafe sex. The social culture and environment are among influencing factors, which contribute to sexual behaviour that leads to health problems. Perceptions of risk, lack of effective sex education, socio-cultural norms, and peer pressure are among some of the contributing factors to SRH problems. Adolescent’s utilisation of SRH services is limited. There is a need to have responsive interventions addressing ASRH. The policy and legal environment need to be supportive of ASRH to facilitate healthy life styles. Policies from the education sector and the health sector need to be harmonized. Making existing health services in all health facilities country wide available, friendly and accessible to all adolescents requires re-organise and re-orient SRH services to ensure privacy, confidentiality and involvement of adolescents themselves. Key opinion leaders such as religious leaders and traditional healers need to be part of programme planning and implementation. Collaboration is needed among different stakeholders working on SRH to avoid duplication of efforts, ineffective and inefficient use of limited resources.
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
Institute:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)
Department:
Development Policy & Practice
Country:
Tanzania, United Republic of
Region:
East Africa
Training:
Master of Public Health / International Course in Health Development (ICHD)
Category:
Research
Right:
© 2008 Mchallo
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
185310.pdf