MEANING OF ADOLESCENCE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR
PUBLIC HEALTH
WHAT I REMEMBER ABOUT MY ADOLESCENCE
Aims of the session
• To share key experiences on adolescence• To discuss positive and negative experiences
of adolescence• To compare experiences of adolescents today
and those of 10 – 20 years ago
Write down one key experience of your own adolescence that
remains alive in your memory
1. Are the experiences of adolescents today different from those 10 – 20 years ago?
2. Please give reasons to support your answer
THE NATURE AND SEQUENCE OF CHANGES AND EVENTS TAKING PLACE DURING ADOLESENCE
Aim of the session:
• To help participants understand the nature and sequence of changes that occurs during adolescence.
Definitions According to the World Health Organisation (WHO)
• Adolescence covers ages 10 to 19 years (It is the transitional period from childhood to
adulthood)• Youth covers ages 15 to 24• Young people covers ages 10 to 24 years
The national youth policy defines young people as ages 10 to 24 years regardless of marital status.
Nature and sequence of changes and events during adolescence
Events / changes that occur
Earlyadolescence (10 – 13)
Middleadolescence (14 -16)
Lateadolescence (17 – 19)
Physical
Psychological:CognitiveEmotive
Social
NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE
Aim of the session
• To discuss the needs of young people and how those needs could be met
The needs of young people should be considered in terms of
• Offering opportunities• Enhancing capabilities• Offering second chances
P o lic ies a f f ec tin g h u m anc ap ita l f o r m atio n d u r in gy o u th tr an s it io n s
E c o n o m y w id e p o lic ies an din s titu tio n s : m ac r o s tab ility ,in v es tm en t c lim ate ,g o v er n an c e , lab o u r m ar k e tr eg u la tio n s
E d u c a tio nT r a in in gHealth s e r v ic esW elf ar e an d f am ilys er v ic esI n f r as tr u c tu r e
Yo u thf r ien d lyp o lic ies
O p p o r tu n it ies C ap ab ilit ies S ec o n d c h an c es
• What are the health concerns of young people?
• What do they think and feel about issues concerning their health?
• How do they communicate this to adults
• What do the adolescent participants think and feel about these perspectives?
• What do the adult Participants think and feel about
COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS THAT AFFECT YOUNG PEOPLE.
Aim of the session
• To familiarize the service providers with the health problems affecting young people.
Group work• What are the health problems affecting young
people in your district or community?• Is the health problem or problem behaviour a
priority for you district or community?• Who considers it a priority and why?
Classification of diseases and health related behaviours of young people in developing countries
Diseases which are particular to young people
Diseases and unhealthy behaviours which affect young people disproportionately
Diseases which manifest themselves primarily in young people but originate in childhood
Diseases and unhealthy behaviours of young people whose major implications are on the young persons future health
•Diseases:
Diseases:Disorders of secondary sexual developmentDifficulties with psychosocial developmentSuboptimal adolescent growth spurt
Diseases:Maternal morbidity and mortalitySTIs (including HIV)TuberculosisSchistosomiasisIntestinal helminthesMental disorders
Behaviours:Alcohol useOther substance abuseInjuries
Diseases:Rheumatic heart disease
Diseases:STIs (including HIV)Dental disease
Behaviours:Tobacco useAlcohol and drug usePoor dietLack of exerciseUnsafe sexual practices
Diseases:MalnutritionMalariaGastroenteritisAcute respiratory infections
NB Young people will contribute a substantial number of cases because they form a large proportion of the population in most developing countries.
Priority health problems affecting young people
• Intentional and unintentional injuries• Sexual and reproductive health problems,
including HIV/AIDS• Substance use and abuse (tobacco, alcohol
and other substances• Mental health problems• Nutritional problems• Endemic and chronic diseases
WHY INVEST IN YOUNG PEOPLE’S HEALTH AND
DEVELOPMENT
Aim of the session
• To present important reasons for investing in young people’s health and development
Is it essential that national and local health leaders, planners and managers
pay particular attention to young people’s health?
Three main reasons for investing in adolescent health
• Health benefits for the individual adolescent – in terms of his or her current and future health, and in terms of the intergenerational effects
• Economic benefits: improved productivity, return on investments, avert future health costs
• As a human right: adolescents (like other age groups) have a right to achieve the highest attainable health
Guiding concepts for planning for adolescent health and development
• Adolescence is a time of risk and opportunity• Not all adolescents are equally vulnerable• Adolescent development underlies prevention of
health problems• Problems have common roots and are interrelated• The social environment influences adolescent
behavior• Gender considerations are fundamental