An assessment of the delivery of youth friendly health services in the Northern Cape

English: Literature indicates that structural as well as functional accessibility and acceptability of Primary Health Care (PHC) services is a challenge facing the delivery of youth-friendly services in South Africa. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the delivery of youth-friendly services in the Northern Cape. A quantitative methodology using a descriptive design was selected for this purpose. Two hundred and fifty six (256) high school-going females and males aged 13-21 who were selected conveniently from six high schools in Kimberley, completed a self-report questionnaire. The results revealed conflicting perceptions about structural and functional accessibility and acceptability. The positive feedback focused on counselling and testing, communication, and attitude. With regard to the range of services offered to the youth, 51.9% (n=133) felt strongly about the provision of HIV counselling and testing, and acknowledged that the services were available to them. Although not conclusive, some respondents stated that the health care workers communicate well (n=18/12.5%), and that health care workers understand when they (the respondents) talk to them. The nurses were further described as good to very good listeners (55%), friendly (59.74%), competent (54.38%), respectful (50.87%), caring (46.53%) and lastly that they are helpful (61.20%). More than half of the respondents (64.3%) were of the opinion that the nursing staff at the clinic understand their needs. The negative feedback focused on operating hours, waiting time, treatment, and the attitude of health care workers. Eighty (34.2%) of the respondents said that they never find the clinics open, opposed to sixty-six (28.2%) that indicated that they seldom find the clinics open. Several respondents (n=24/19.5%) stated their dissatisfaction with the treatment offered to them. Nineteen respondents (15.4%) consulted a private practitioner for a second opinion after they have been treated at the clinic. Thirty-two (26%) described nurses as unfriendly, rude and judgemental. Respondents, 138 (55%) and 49 (19.5%) respectively, recommended longer operating times ranging from 13-24 hours. Some 141 (56.6%) requested services to be available from Monday to Saturday, while fifty-four (21.7%) suggested that services be rendered Sunday to Saturday. Twenty-two (20.5%) experienced problems with waiting areas. The structural and functional accessibility and acceptability of PHC services, especially with regard to the needs of the youth must be addressed. This conclusion is, for example, based on the fact that no positive responses obtained the support of more than 60% of the respondents, while problems with nurses was indicated by 69 (64.5%) of the respondents. High levels (>90%) of satisfaction on any issue addressed in the study, were not expressed. It is also recommended the school going youth be accommodated as a one-stop service, services be extended to public holidays and that health care workers include the youth when planning health care programmes. It is suggested that further research be done on the delivery of youth services, where the younger ages of 10-13 years are included, and the research be conducted in other areas within the Northern Cape. The training of health care workers on youth-friendly services should be included in the curricula and such training should be extended to other provinces.