Adolescents in Northern Argentina: Needs and Access to Health Services

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Adolescents have low mortality and morbidity rates. However, there are certain problems conditioning a healthy development which should be analyzed as a priority, from a prevention perspective, for this population with long life expectancy. OBJECTIVES: To know the health/disease status of adolescents in Northern Argentina. To identify real and perceived needs as well as barriers in access to health services, focusing on sexual health, addictions, nutrition and suicide. METHODS: The study included following steps: 1) literature review and survey of current legislation on adolescent health; 2) mapping of actors and interviews with local key informants; 3) self-administered survey to adolescents of public schools in six Argentine provinces; 4) qualitative and quantitative analysis of surveys and interviews. RESULTS: Although perceptions and complaints belonged to low-need profiles, only half of the adolescents reporting health problems used the health system to get information, and most of them said they preferred to talk with parents and friends. Adolescent concerns were not necessarily related to health status, but to issues of their age group. Apart from geographical barriers, family and institutional reasons were found to limit the relationship between health system and adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Results show spaces for participation which should be occupied by the health care system and family, community and school environment, so that information and attention requirements can be reflected in demands and a better access.