Are health services adolescent friendly in Greece and worldwide? A brief report
https://doi.org/10.54088/ijh55869
Keywords:
Keywords: youth-friendly, adolescent friendly, health services, worldwide, Greece, WHOAbstract
Purpose: Adolescent health services are an important factor in adolescent health. This article helps to draw important conclusions that will be a precursor for more extensive studies and the improvement of all health services in Greece and in other countries, worldwide.
Method: We collected and analyzed a total of 15 surveys, of which 1 meta-ethnography, 3 systematic reviews, 3 clinical randomized trials, 5 cross-sectional studies and 3 reviews, which were implemented in countries of 5 continents (Asia, America, Africa, Europe and Oceania). During the analysis of the studies on the friendliness of health services, conclusions were drawn on the accessibility and utilization of these services.
Results: Greece seems to have specialized services for adolescents but it is considered insufficient to meet the WHO friendliness criteria. In Europe, several countries have adopted friendly policies, but on a practical level there is a need for more complete compliance with the criteria. Finally, in Asian and African countries, there are many health services for adolescents, but there is a need to enhance the quality of reproductive and sexual services for the treatment and prevention of adolescents of all genders and sexual orientations.
Conclusion: Based on the literature review, there is a need for further research on the provision of friendly services for adolescents, mainly in European countries, as well as upgrading the quality of services provided in low-income countries. Also, there is a great need for a standardized tool to be developed, which will be able to assess the friendliness of health services.
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