54 • PART TWO: FACILITATOR’S GUIDE
The reasons often cited by young people for not
using available health services are:- No information about available services;
- Lack understanding how they can benefit
from services or how they can be helped; - Services are expensive;
- Timing not suitable;
- Location not suitable;
- Long waiting time;
- Embarrassment;
- Fear of stigma;
- Lack of trust in workers and services;
- Easier access and comfort with “quacks” or
non-qualified practitioners; - Lack of privacy and confidentiality;
- No drugs or condoms available;
- Never used these services (especially true of
girls and young women); and - Lack of understanding of medical
profession and adults regarding adolescents’
needs for services.
The following checklist can be used to assess or help strengthen a health service to become youth friendly:^22(^22) Senderowitz, J. (1999), Making Reproductive Health Services Youth Friendly, Washington DC, Focus on Young Adults Program.
What are Youth Friendly Health Services?
Provider Characteristics Health Facility Characteristics
Specially trained staff Separate space and special time
Respect for young people Convenient hours
Honors privacy and confidentiality Convenient location
Adequate time for young clients Adequate privacy
Peer counselors available Comfortable surroundings
Program Characteristics
Youth involvement in program design Condoms are easily accessed
Drop-in clients welcomed Group discussion available
No overcrowding Unmarried persons are welcome
Short waiting times Educational materials available
Affordable fees Parental involvement encouraged but not forced
Wide range of services Both boys and girls are welcomed and served
Services are well advertised where young Linkages made with other non-health services
people gather
Adequate supply of drugs and condoms