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Adolescent Health Voyage in Nigeria: Surviving the Storm Through a Primary Health Care Network with Family Physicians in the Lead

Received: 16 October 2023    Accepted: 31 October 2023    Published: 11 November 2023
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Abstract

The adolescence is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood. Globally, adolescent population is increasing due to successes in child survival strategies especially in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs) including Nigeria. In Nigeria, adolescents constitute about 22% of the total population and it is projected to reach 28% in 2040. Despite this fact, in developing health policies and services by government, the adolescents are largely ignored. The age bracket is characterized by unhealthy risk-taking behaviors which affect their health negatively. Such behaviors may cause injuries, risk of infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy/possible complications, and violence. The aim of this study was to examine the health services available in Nigeria for the increasing health needs for the rising adolescent population. The existing literature was reviewed, seeking to establish available network of care and support for adolescent population in Nigeria. Although the National government recognized that addressing the health needs of adolescent and young people is vital to nation’s building, the services of available service providers are poorly coordinated thus leading to poor outcomes. This review concludes that there is an urgent need for proper coordination of adolescent health- related care provider activities for better outcome. Family physicians in Nigeria through the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON) should spearhead collaborative efforts with organizations working in the Adolescent Health space in order to achieve desired results.

Published in American Journal of Pediatrics (Volume 9, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajp.20230904.15
Page(s) 217-225
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Adolescent, Health, Nigeria, Primary Health Care, Family Physicians

References
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Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Opeyemi Akinbode, A., Bassey Udoh, S., Eseigbe, P., Ubokutom Udom, N. (2023). Adolescent Health Voyage in Nigeria: Surviving the Storm Through a Primary Health Care Network with Family Physicians in the Lead. American Journal of Pediatrics, 9(4), 217-225. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajp.20230904.15

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    ACS Style

    Opeyemi Akinbode, A.; Bassey Udoh, S.; Eseigbe, P.; Ubokutom Udom, N. Adolescent Health Voyage in Nigeria: Surviving the Storm Through a Primary Health Care Network with Family Physicians in the Lead. Am. J. Pediatr. 2023, 9(4), 217-225. doi: 10.11648/j.ajp.20230904.15

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    AMA Style

    Opeyemi Akinbode A, Bassey Udoh S, Eseigbe P, Ubokutom Udom N. Adolescent Health Voyage in Nigeria: Surviving the Storm Through a Primary Health Care Network with Family Physicians in the Lead. Am J Pediatr. 2023;9(4):217-225. doi: 10.11648/j.ajp.20230904.15

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ajp.20230904.15,
      author = {Akeem Opeyemi Akinbode and Sunday Bassey Udoh and Patricia Eseigbe and Ndifreke Ubokutom Udom},
      title = {Adolescent Health Voyage in Nigeria: Surviving the Storm Through a Primary Health Care Network with Family Physicians in the Lead},
      journal = {American Journal of Pediatrics},
      volume = {9},
      number = {4},
      pages = {217-225},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajp.20230904.15},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajp.20230904.15},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajp.20230904.15},
      abstract = {The adolescence is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood. Globally, adolescent population is increasing due to successes in child survival strategies especially in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs) including Nigeria. In Nigeria, adolescents constitute about 22% of the total population and it is projected to reach 28% in 2040. Despite this fact, in developing health policies and services by government, the adolescents are largely ignored. The age bracket is characterized by unhealthy risk-taking behaviors which affect their health negatively. Such behaviors may cause injuries, risk of infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy/possible complications, and violence. The aim of this study was to examine the health services available in Nigeria for the increasing health needs for the rising adolescent population. The existing literature was reviewed, seeking to establish available network of care and support for adolescent population in Nigeria. Although the National government recognized that addressing the health needs of adolescent and young people is vital to nation’s building, the services of available service providers are poorly coordinated thus leading to poor outcomes. This review concludes that there is an urgent need for proper coordination of adolescent health- related care provider activities for better outcome. Family physicians in Nigeria through the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria (SOFPON) should spearhead collaborative efforts with organizations working in the Adolescent Health space in order to achieve desired results.
    },
     year = {2023}
    }
    

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    AU  - Akeem Opeyemi Akinbode
    AU  - Sunday Bassey Udoh
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Author Information
  • Family Medicine Department, Federal Medical Center, Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria

  • Family Medicine Department, University of Uyo, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria

  • Family Medicine Department, Bingham University, Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria

  • Family Medicine Department, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria

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