Study on Biosocial and Awareness Profiles of Adolescent Clients and Utilisation Patterns of the Services at an ARSH Clinic in Bihar, India

Background: Adolescents make up roughly 21% of India's population.In 2006, the Government of India (GOI) created the adolescent reproductive and sexual health (ARSH) initiative in response to the unique needs of teenagers. In 2012, the first "Yuva clinic" in Bihar was created at Patna Medical College to provide services in accordance with ARSH protocols. The purpose of this study was to examine the biosocial and awareness profiles of adolescent clients in relation to the ARSH strategy and the utilisation of clinic services.

Methods: Using a semi-structured questionnaire, a cross-sectional study was conducted.

Results: A total of 1180 adolescents were studied (950 males and 230 females). Sixty-six percent of males and 74.8 percent of females lived in cities, and over 90 percent were unmarried. The vast majority came from the upper middle class.Females did not use alcohol or tobacco, but 66.6 percent and 86.7 percent of males did. More over 90% of those in attendance said they exercised regularly, with 36.8% of men and 58 percent of women having abnormal BMIs. Seventy-six percent were aware about nutrition, 24.06 percent were knowledgeable about reproductive and sexual health (RSH), and 64.74 percent were knowledgeable about ARSH services. Adolescents' awareness of nutrition, RSH, and available services was significantly linked to their location and socioeconomic status. Females knew a lot more about RSH than males did. Sixty-seven percent availed counseling services and 1.35% was referred, 50.6% came for clinical services out of which 69.8% remained unmet.

Conclusions: It is obvious from the encouraging numbers and widely heterogeneous profile of clients coming to the Yuva clinic that the ARSH clinic is a successful initiative. However, there are service gaps when it comes to ARSH methods. If these issues are addressed, the clinic is likely to attract more adolescents and fulfil its goals of improving their health and capacity to better deal with their various challenges.