Healthcare workers’ delivery of adolescent responsive sexual and reproductive healthcare services: an assessment in Plateau state, Nigeria

Abstract Background Adolescents should have access to high quality and responsive sexual and reproductive health, however, it is unclear to what extent the national policy on health and development of adolescent is implemented by health care workers in Plateau State. This study assessed the general availability of sexual and reproductive health services, the delivery of responsive adolescent sexual and reproductive health services and health care worker?s understanding of what constitutes adolescent responsive sexual and reproductive health services. Methods Using a cross sectional design, we interviewed 409 health care workers selected through a multistage sampling technique, across six Local Government Areas of Plateau State, Nigeria using an interviewer-administered survey questionnaire. Results The most available sexual and reproductive health services was antenatal and delivery care (69.2%), contraception 25.9% and 14.9% reported post abortion care. Only 1.2% indicated the availability of the four recommended essential sexual and reproductive health services (counselling/information provision, provision of contraceptives, testing/treatment for sexually transmitted infection (STI) /HIV and post abortion care) in their facilities. Little over half (58.4%) felt their facilities were adequate in meeting the sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescent and this was associated with delivery of post abortion care (AOR=3.612; CI=1.886-6.917; p = .001) and providing sexual and reproductive health services to adolescents without parental consent (AOR=3.612; CI=1.886-6.917; p = .001). Most health care workers had poor understanding of adolescent responsiveness of sexual and reproductive health services, understanding better among health workers who provided services without parental consent and in a separate room for privacy and confidentiality. Conclusion We conclude that adolescent sexual and reproductive health services is not yet as stipulated in the national policy in Plateau State, Nigeria and in general, health workers have poor understanding of what it means to provide adolescent-responsive services.