Health Needs and Health Seeking Behaviours of Adolescents Attending a Vacation Coaching Centre in Lagos

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescents are young people said to be in a transitory stage of development between childhood and adulthood. This period is a sensitive one as habits and behaviors which will affect the life of the individual are cultivated at this time. It is therefore of utmost importance that these young people have guidance and the required health services at their disposal to help them make positive lifestyle choices to prevent ill health in the future. This study hopes to bring to the fore, the perceived health needs of adolescents and the context in which they would prefer to have health services provided to meet their needs.
Methods: A self administered questionnaire was the data collection tool, administered to 326 students aged 10-19 years selected by stratified sampling and balloting at a vacation school in Lagos. Results: Acute health problems, sexual and reproductive health problems were considered the most important. Adolescents’ expectations of health services mainly centered on health education and counseling, alongside the provision of general health care services. With respect to adolescents’ experiences with existing health services, most preferred to use private hospitals and were
satisfied with the services they received.
Conclusion: Adolescent friendliness is a concept which if incorporated into the health system will have appreciable positive impact on the health of adolescents for the present and in the future.

Key Words: Adolescents, health needs