Adolescents are the forgotten millions in reproductive health programs. Although the numbers of young people who need information and services are enormous, services are scarce, fragmented or nonexistent.
This manual will help service providers and health workers strengthen the reproductive health care and services offered to young women and men. The focus is on two important aspects of reproductive health:
- Prevention of unplanned pregnancies.
- Prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS.
It can also be used as a tool for designing, improving and implementing adolescent health programs by:
- Health workers. (We use the terms "health worker" and "service provider" interchangeably in this document.)
- Workers in nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that offer health services to young adults.
- Program managers and planners.
- Health educators who work with youth.
This manual emphasizes that:
- Adolescents both male and female have a right to accurate reproductive health information and quality services.
- Adolescents are capable of making informed choices about whether to use contraception, which methods to use and how to prevent STIs.
- All contraceptive methods are medically safe for adolescents, although some may be more appropriate for this age group than others.
- Reproductive health is a lifelong process the decisions young people make have an impact on their current and future health.
- Young people view sexual issues in the context of the larger social, cultural and economic climate in which they live.
- AIDS is a real threat to young people. Because there is no cure, prevention is key.
The following chapters will:
- Explore the vast need for adolescent reproductive health services.
- Identify the barriers young people encounter in obtaining health care, including service providers' attitudes about adolescent sexuality.
- Provide updated information on pregnancy and STI prevention, post-pregnancy services and other reproductive health issues.
- Provide guidance on counseling for adolescents.
- Consider ways in which family planning programs can better meet the health-care needs of young women and men.
Section I provides background information on adolescents' needs and technical information on contraception, STIs and HIV/AIDS. Section II focuses on service delivery, particularly counseling. As you read this manual, remember that young people need a variety of reproductive health services. Integrating contraceptive services, STI prevention and treatment programs and prenatal care will help young people receive the comprehensive services they need.
At the end of each chapter are questions for health-care providers and program managers. These questions are designed to help you:
- Identify services already in place for young people.
- Evaluate what works well in your community and what does not.
- Develop new approaches to close gaps in service delivery.
You may answer the questions individually or discuss them with colleagues or other program staff. Space has been provided at the end of the handbook for your answers and for other note-taking.
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