The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #66911

Ricardo Vernon, PhD, Population Council, Panzacola 62 - 102, Mexico City, 04000, Mexico, (52)(55) 5999-8630, rvernon@popcouncil.org.mx, Rocio Mejia, MEXFAM, Juarez 208, Col. Tlalpan, Mexico City, 14000, Mexico, and Jose Luis Palma, MPH, INSAD, Amsterdam 33 - 5, Col. Condesa, Mexico, D.F., 06170, Mexico.

Results of a national sample of service providers in 56 public clinics, 180 private physicians and 240 pharmacy dependents are presented. Variables measure include the degree to which services offered are tailored to adolescent needs (in terms of schedules, patient flow, information provided, availability of materials, degree to which adolescents are offered reproductive health information), knowledge of contraception and other reproductive health services, attitudes towards adolescent sexual behavior and participation in reproductive health programs for adolescents.

The impact of MEXFAM’s Gente Joven (Young People or YPP) Program in helping these providers to offer friendlier adolescent services is also assessed. This is done by comparing results of areas where the YPP provided technical assistance to providers with other areas where this was not done so.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the session, participants will be able to:
• Describe the degree to which reproductive health service providers in Mexico tailor their services to meet the needs of adolescents;
• Assess the degree to which current adolescent reproductive health programs meet their objectives to promote friendlier reproductive health services for adolescents.
• Provide concrete recommendations for improving youth reproductive health programs in Mexico.

Keywords: Adolescents, International, Reproductive Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.