Citation

Rao AR. Health Millions 1995; 21(3): 26-28.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Health for the Millions Trust)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12346857

Abstract

The first stage of adolescence generally occurs from the age of ten years to age 14, while the second phase spans the period 15-19 years. Both are important phases during which the growing individual requires considerable attention. The needs of adolescents, however, have never been fully understood by parents, society, policymakers, and health professionals, so they tend to be overwhelmingly neglected in health as well as in education and development programs. Many adolescents do not have adequate knowledge about the maturation process through which they are going, and little useful information is provided about those paltry health services which are available to them. First, adolescents need to be involved as partners in planning and implementing the health services which they will ultimately receive. Service providers then need to be trained, especially in listening skills, to provide the highest level of quality care. Adolescents should then be provided with relevant information on sexual matters within the appropriate cultural context, as well as nutrition education and education about the hazards of smoking and alcohol and drug abuse. Quality, confidential counseling must be ensured. Finally, coherent laws and policies must be developed and implemented with regard to marriage age, sexual and child abuse, abortion, and the fate of pregnant, unmarried adolescents.

Language: en