‘Youth-friendly’ health services
N. Salakos, S. Voskakis, K. Tseberi, G. Papadopoulou, G. Creatsas
Division of Family Planning Association of the 2nd Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Aretaieion Hospital, Athens,
Greece
Introduction: Since the International Conference on Population and
Development in 1994, there has been an upsurge in efforts to provide appropriate
sexual and reproductive health services to young people. These new initiatives
have been developed in response to the evidence that young people often feel
unwelcomed at traditional family planning or reproductive health clinics,
combined with an increased awareness of the special needs and rights of youth in
the area of sexual and reproductive health. To overcome these obstacles the
Division of Family Planning of the 2nd Dept of Ob/Gyn. University of Athens
‘‘Aretaieion Hospital’’ use a model programme so as to provide ‘‘youth-friendly
services’’ based on evidence documenting what young people want. The
services that the Division of Family Planning provide are the following:
programs in the Greek islands distributing informative booklets with condoms.
These were realised in 3 islands, and were distributed 4000 informative booklets.
The phrase that characterizes these programs is the ‘‘Youth to Youth’’.Speeches
in schools, high school and middle school with subjects of sexual and
reproductive health. Each year speeches in over 40 schools in all Greece, in
over 3000 students are given. Each year is realised an educational seminar which
follows 2 seminar circles. The seminar is watched annually from 200–300
professionals of health. Organises speeches in provincial cities in
collaboration with other Family Planning clinics, pharmaceutical and medical
associations, with subject ‘‘The Sexual health and contraception’’ Over
10 speeches annually. Informative events in world days as the day of AIDS
distributing informative booklets in collaboration with the Youth Team of the
Hellenic Family Planning Association. Answers in questions of public on issues
of sexual and reproductive health via the hot-line that functions in the
department. The feedback of these services is the increase of calls in the
department and the increase of visits in the department at 10% concerning the
previous years.
Conclusion: Providing ‘‘youth-friendly services’’ we create a
powerful link between the professionals of health and the young people.
Investing in adolescents health and rights will yield large benefits for
generations to come.
