EVALUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH SERVICE POLICY AND STRATEGY (2016-2020) IN THE TEMA METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

Background: Due to the importance of adolescents in the future of a nation, it has become necessary to consider the well-being of adolescents in order to drive national development. Ghana has developed, adopted and implemented initiatives and programmes to protect and promote the reproductive health needs of adolescents-the Adolescent Health Service Policy and Strategy (2016-2020).

Objectives: To conduct a process evaluation on the implementation of the Adolescent Health Service Policy and Strategy and to determine barriers and facilitators influencing the implementation.

Methods: The study employed both qualitative and quantitative approaches to address its objectives. That is cross-sectional survey, focus group discussions, key informant interviews were used to obtain information from Young people and Heads of Adolescent and Youth Friendly units in health facilities in the Tema metropolis. Quantitative results were analysed using the STATA 15 and qualitative data collected were coded and analysed using NVivo 11 to generate themes and patterns.

Results: The study found that young people had adequate access to health information through the internet, schools and hospitals. Service providers have been well trained in various aspects of service provision. There was varying degree of partnership among various stakeholders with few peer educators and community actors’ groups in existence. Barriers such as lack of awareness of policy, inadequate staff and financial resources hinder policy implementation with advocacy being a main facilitator

Conclusion: Although there are barriers hindering the implementation of the Adolescent health Service Policy and Strategy (2016-202), there is adequate access to information, continuous capacity building of staffs and varying degree of partnership among stakeholders.

KEYWORDS: Adolescent, Child, Young People, Young Adult, Youth, Strategy