Chingono, Rudo MS; Mackworth-Young, Constance RS; Ross, David A; Tshuma, Maureen; Chiweshe, Tendai; Nyamayaro, Chipo; Sekanevana, Cuthbert; Doyle, Aoife M; Weiss, Helen A; Kohl, Kid; +4 more... Mangombe, Aveneni; Madzima, Bernard; McHugh, Grace; Ferrand, Rashida A; (2021) Designing Routine Health Checkups for Adolescents in Zimbabwe. Journal of Adolescent Health, 69 (6). pp. 940-947. ISSN 1054-139X DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.07.002
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Abstract
PURPOSE: The absence of routine health check-ups during adolescence in low- and middle-income countries is a missed opportunity for prevention, early identification, and treatment of health issues, and health promotion. We aimed to codesign the content and delivery for routine adolescent health checkups in Zimbabwe, with adolescents and key adults in their lives. METHODS: We held participatory workshops with adolescents (16 workshops; 96 adolescents) and parents (8 workshops; 95 parents), and in-depth interviews with key informants including policymakers, programmers, and healthcare workers (n = 25). Analysis was iterative and the design of the checkups was refined based on participant preferences, document review of burden of disease data, and feasibility considerations. RESULTS: Participants overwhelmingly supported the introduction of routine health checkups. Reported facilitators to attendance included free cost and desire to know one's health status. Barriers included tendencies for health service seeking only when ill, fear of diagnosis and judgment, and religious beliefs. Delivery preferences were by nonjudgmental medical professionals, in a youth friendly environment, and accompanied by youth engagement activities. Preferred location was schools for younger adolescents (10-14 years), and community settings for older adolescents (15-19 years). Prioritized content included sexual health, oral health, mental health, hearing, eyesight, growth and nutrition, anemia, immunization, and deworming, based on health burden and participant preferences. DISCUSSION: This study resulted in an outline design of two routine health checkups with stakeholders in Zimbabwe, in schools for young adolescents, and in community settings for older adolescents. Evidence of feasibility, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of such checkups is required.
Item Type | Article |
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Faculty and Department |
Faculty of Public Health and Policy > Dept of Global Health and Development Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health > Dept of Infectious Disease Epidemiology & International Health (2023-) Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases > Dept of Clinical Research |
Research Centre | Centre for Maternal, Reproductive and Child Health (MARCH) |
PubMed ID | 34362647 |
Elements ID | 163174 |
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