Unit 2 meaning of adolescence and its implications for public health

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