Deliverance of the Adolescent Friendly Health Service Standards by Nurses in Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia

Abstract

Despite the implementation of the national standards for Adolescent Friendly Health Services (AFHS) towards the prevention among others teenage pregnancy the, problem continues to rise across the regions of Namibia.This article presents the findings of a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study regarding the implementation of the components on Adolescent Friendly Health Care Providers and the Adolescent Friendly Environment of the Adolescent Friendly Health Services standards by nurses in Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia.Quantitative data were collected from 12 registered nurse midwives and 23 enrolled nurse-midwives who implement the AFHS at the health care facilities (through structured self-interview questionnaire) and 18 health care facilities that implement the AFHS in Otjozondjupa Region (through checklist) for triangulation of the data. The data were analysed using the SPSS Version 16 data base. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed on selected variables to determine the relationship of variables.The findings indicated that only 30% of the registered nurse-midwives compared to 75% of the enrolled nurses who implement the AFHS were formally trained in adolescent reproductive and sexual health issues. The findings further indicated that although 75% and 87% of the respective categories of nurse respondents indicated that they conduct school outreach activities, the initiative seems not being implemented effectively as can be inferred from only 14% of the registered nurse who indicated that they do conduct health education at schools. In the same vein, 90% of the health facilities had no spaces that were designated for the adolescent health services. Therefore, the recommendations were made in respect of the implementation of these two components of the AFHS standards at the health care facilities in the region.

An Assessment of Utilization of the Adolescent Friendly Health Services by the respective clients in Otjozondjupa Region of Namibia

“…Thus, in contrary to the submissions by the nurses in the same study that school outreach is conducted in the region and health information is provided to learners (Muyenga, Amakali, & Wilkinson, 2017), the findings call for the sensitization about the availability of adolescent friendly health services initiative and the provision of reproductive health related information, all that would guide the adolescents to make appropriate choices for reproductive health and change their risky sexual behaviours. Equally, health care providers should display an inviting attitude towards the adolescents who seek reproductive services.…”

“…Concurrently, the same study suggested that reproductive health related information to the adolescents seems not have been incorporated in the school outreach programme which is carried out by the nurses in the region. A low display of information on the availability of condoms in the health care facilities (Muyenga, Amakali& Wilkinson, 2017), also testifies that health care providers at the health care facilities are not pro-adolescent friendly health services.…”

“…These six components include the Adolescent Active Participation, Community Support and Participation, Adolescent Friendly Health Service Providers, Adolescent Friendly Health Environment, Adolescent Friendly Health Procedures as well as Networking and Collaboration (Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS, 2011;WHO, 2002), as elaborated in the article on the implementation of the AFHS by nurses from the same study (Muyenga, Amakali, & Wilkinson, 2017). This article presents the findings on the utilization of the AFHS initiatives by the adolescent girls as a reflection of the component on adolescent active participation.…”