In recent years, it has become increasingly recognized that health providers must make their facilities and services more “youth-friendly” if they are to attract young people. However, our understanding of the specific factors that encourage and discourage service use is limited. This study was designed to assess the relative importance of selected administrative, physical, economic and psychosocial barriers to adolescents' use of reproductive health services in Bolivia. Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, this study integrates adolescent perspectives with information gathered about health centers, pharmacies and other service/supply locations. The three cities with the largest adolescent populations in Bolivia were chosen for the investigation – namely La Paz, El Alto and Santa Cruz. Two health center service catchment areas were selected in each city. Within each catchment an adolescent questionnaire was undertaken among both in and out-of-school youth. In the target (i.e. Ministry of Health-operated) health center in the area and other clinics in each catchment area, interviews with staff, facility “youth-friendliness” assessments and adolescent mystery client visits were carried out. Interviews and mystery client visits were also carried out in three pharmacies within each catchment area. After preliminary analysis of the adolescent questionnaire, tallers (i.e. a longer, more interactive version of focus group discussions) were carried out in all catchment areas to enhance the understanding of youth perspectives.
Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, the participants will be able to describe the barriers faced by adolescents in seeking health services in three specified urban areas in Bolivia. Participants will also be exposed to methods for identifying such barriers and learn how to prioritize service delivery modes to the adolescent population based on an understanding of the barriers to care
Keywords: Reproductive Health, Adolescents, International
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.