Missed Opportunities in Adolescent Health: An Overview From Turkey

Introduction: Serious health problems and poor health habits persist among adolescents despite access to health information and medical care. The study aimed to determine the status of access to health services, the need for health information, and the preferred source of information among adolescents in Turkey. Method: In this descriptive study, a questionnaire developed by the researchers was applied online to individuals aged 18-25 between September - December 2017. Descriptive statistics were shown with numbers (n) and percentages (%) or mean (m) and standard deviation (± SD). Pearson chi-square and Kruskal Wallis tests were used for data analysis. Results: The mean age of the total 1807 participants was 20.28 (±1.89) and 57% were female. The rate of adolescents whose number of visits to the family physician was accurate to national guidelines was higher among those who had attended public schools and who lived in a nuclear family. This rate was lower among those who continued high school in the lower developed part of Turkey. Only 12% of the adolescents had undergone a full physical examination and few were questioned about psychosocial aspects. The demand for counseling on health topics about risky behaviors differed according to gender. While school was the main ‘past’ source for information, the family physician was the most ‘preferred’ one. Conclusion: Missed opportunities exist in adolescent health. Adolescent health services should be maintained in a multidisciplinary manner. Especially primary care services and school settings should be strengthened to provide accurate health information to young people.