ASSESSING THE KNOWLEDGE, ACCESS AND UTILIZATTION OF ADOLESCENT FRIENDLY HEALTH SERVICES IN KUMBUNGU DISTRICT, GHANA

Abstract

The period of adolescence is a critical one where adolescents are vulnerable to many health risks including those related to their sexual and reproductive life. With the availability of adolescent friendly health services (AFHS), it is expected that adolescents will go through their developmental stages with minimal or no health challenges. However, health challenges of adolescents rather seem to be on the increase and this may be attributed to many factors. The purpose of this study was to assess adolescents’ knowledge, access and utilization of adolescent friendly health services in Kumbungu, Ghana. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 416 adolescents using both quantitative and qualitative techniques. A semistructured questionnaire was used for data collection through interviews and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) version 22. The Pearson chisquare analysis was used to test for associations between categorical variables (at a significance level of p < 0.05). In all, 207 representing 49.8% of adolescents had knowledge about AFHS; there was a significant association between sex and knowledge about AFHS (2 = 8.119, p = 0.004). In terms of access and utilization, AFHS was fairly utilized as 54.2% was recorded. Adolescents’ religion, educational status, employment status, knowledge on AFHS and receiving of needed services were all (p < 0.01) found to be factors associated with access and utilization of the AFHS. Adolescents’ knowledge was low but access and utilization of AFHS was slightly higher than 50%. Therefore, to improve the prevailing situation, Kumbungu district health directorate should intensify education on AFHS in schools and communities. The establishment of more adolescent corners at heath facilities as well as training of health care providers on AFHS are urgently needed to enhance or probably maintain the current states of knowledge, access and utilization of AFHS.