Exploring challenges and improvement strategies of adolescent-friendly health services in the northwest region of Namibia: A qualitative descriptive study.

Abstract

Despite global agreements on adolescents' sexual and reproductive health and rights, access to and the utilisation of these services by the adolescents remain underutilised in low and middle-income countries. The aim of the study was to explore challenges and improvement strategies of adolescent-friendly health services in the northwest of Namibia. This study employed a qualitative approach utilising an explorative strategy. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. Fifteen nurses were selected using a convenience sampling technique. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and the data were analysed using thematic analysis. The data analysis led to the emergence of the following three themes: Challenges affecting the delivery of Adolescent Friendly Health Services, Challenges affecting participation of adolescent to AFHS and strategies to improve the provision of adolescent-friendly health services. Findings from this study revealed several barriers reportedly faced by adolescents in accessing AFHS as including a lack of comprehensive sexual reproductive health (SRH) services in many healthcare facilities, a lack of trained staff, unfavourable environments for adolescents, a lack of information about the services provided, and recruitment of providers who are not friendly to young people and adolescents. This study findings may lead to an improvement in the provision of such services in healthcare settings. The study can lead to an improvement in the provision of adolescent-friendly services in health care settings. It can help the Ministry of Health and Social Services, along with its agencies, to formulate strategies that can be used to mitigate the challenges d in the provision of adolescent-friendly services.