Stakeholders calls for health education to address school challenges among adolescents
Agency Report
Ms Alyssa Robillard, Associate Professor at Arizona State University, has highlighted stigma, lack of health education and limited access to youth-friendly services in schools as challenges faced by adolescents and young persons.
Robillard gave the highlight in Abuja during the 4th Annual Scientific Roundtable Series of the Centre for Integrated Health Programme (CIHP), a None Governmental Organisation (NGO).
The theme of the programme is, “The Missing Link – Reducing Vulnerability of Adolescents and Young Persons through Sustainable Interventions”.
Robillard shared insights from adolescent-focused programmes in the United States, citing challenges such as stigma, lack of transportation, limited availability of youth-friendly services, and lack of health education in schools.
She also mentioned the lack of parental and trusted adult support, conservative political landscape, and higher rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
According to her, key statistics include one in four persons newly diagnosed with HIV and AIDS being under 25 years old.
She also noted that 45 per cent of sexually active high school students used a condom during their last sexual encounter.
Dr Uwemedimo Esiet, Co-founder of Action Health, an NGO, spoke on the situational analysis of adolescent health and empowerment, highlighting the increasing incidence of suicide in Nigeria.
He cited a study indicating that over 20 per cent of adolescents reported suicidal ideation, and 12 per cent attempted suicide in the 12 months preceding the study.
Dr Bolanle Oyeledun, Chief Executive Officer of CIHP, emphasised that adolescents and young people in Nigeria faces a range of health challenges, including high rates of HIV and other infectious diseases.
“The meeting aims to address rising concerns around mental health, substance abuse, and unmet reproductive health needs,” he said.
Oyeledun noted that adolescent girls and young women face additional barriers, including gender-based violence, early marriage, and lack of access to education and reproductive health services.(NAN)
