Do Aftercare Services Take Young People's Health Behaviour into Consideration? A Retrospective Document Analysis from Finland

Abstract

BackgroundHealth disparities among children and young people predict health disparities in adulthood and cause a long-term detrimental impact on a person's quality of life as well as increased costs to society. PurposeThe purpose of the study was to describe the health behaviour of Finnish young people (n = 600) who had left aftercare services by the end of April 2015 based on their electronic patient records. Design and methodsA retrospective document analysis. Data were collected from the register by a structured worksheet designed for this study and analysed using descriptive statistical methods. ResultsThe entries made in the aftercare participants' records concerning their weight, sleep and rest, smoking and sexual health were insufficient. The documents contained clearly more detailed reports of their substance use. Women were affected more than men by lifestyles other than substance abuse endangering their health. An increase in the number of out-of-home care placements produces a spike in risky behaviour. ConclusionsThe young people in aftercare are in an unequal position compared to the mainstream population in the area of health promotion. Their risky behaviour is not identified or taken into consideration. Practice implicationsAftercare and the related multiprofessional collaboration must be developed to prevent risks related to the young persons` health and to take these comprehensively into account.