Health workers’ knowledge of adolescent health, services provision and challenges in Kumbungu District, Ghana: an observational study

Abstract

Adolescents are persons between 10 and 19 years. In Ghana, about 23% of the total population are adolescents. Adolescents often experience a higher risk of sexual and reproductive health problems. They are less informed, inexperienced, and uncomfortable accessing/utilizing health services. This study explores health workers knowledge of adolescent health, services provision and challenges in Kumbungu District, Ghana. It was a health facility-based cross-sectional survey using a narrative approach to qualitative inquiry at eight selected health facilities. Eight health workers were consented and recruited to participate in the study. They were selected through a purposive sampling technique from five sub-districts. Data were collected using interview guides and voice recorders from June to September 2017. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic analysis. Respondents had low (37%) knowledge of adolescent health services. Health services provided to adolescents were family planning, antenatal care, and postnatal care, counseling, and education. The utilization of services was low. Health workers employed late or early working hours, teachers and volunteers involvement to reach more adolescents. Challenges affecting services provision and utilization are inadequate infrastructure, inadequate training, cultural beliefs, and parental control. Future efforts should focus on training and the provision of adolescent health corners. In addition, research on socio-cultural issues should be considered in the future.