A never-before opportunity to strengthen investment and action on adolescent contraception, and what we must do to make full use of it
Abstract Background Increasingly, the health and rights of adolescents are being recognized and prioritized on the global agenda. This presents us with a “never-before” opportunity to address adolescent contraception. This is timely, as there are enormous numbers of adolescents who are currently una...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2017-07-01
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| Series: | Reproductive Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12978-017-0347-9 |
| _version_ | 1819091450472693760 |
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| author | Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli Pooja S. Parameshwar Matti Parry Catherine Lane Gwyn Hainsworth Sylvia Wong Lindsay Menard-Freeman Beth Scott Emily Sullivan Miles Kemplay Lale Say |
| author_facet | Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli Pooja S. Parameshwar Matti Parry Catherine Lane Gwyn Hainsworth Sylvia Wong Lindsay Menard-Freeman Beth Scott Emily Sullivan Miles Kemplay Lale Say |
| author_sort | Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Increasingly, the health and rights of adolescents are being recognized and prioritized on the global agenda. This presents us with a “never-before” opportunity to address adolescent contraception. This is timely, as there are enormous numbers of adolescents who are currently unable to obtain and use contraceptives. From research evidence and programmatic experience, it is clear that we need to do things differently to meet their needs/fulfil their rights. Main body In this commentary, we call for action in several key areas to address adolescents’ persistent inability to obtain and use contraceptives. We must move away from one-size-fits-all approaches, from a ‘condoms-only’ mind set, from separate services for adolescents, from ignoring the appeal of pharmacies and shops, and from one-off-training to make health workers adolescent friendly. Our efforts to expand access to quality contraceptive services to adolescents must be combined with efforts to build their desire and ability to use them, and to do so consistently. In order for these changes to be made, action must be taken on several levels. This includes the formulation of sound national policies and strategies, robust programme implementation with monitoring, regular programmatic reviews, and implementation research. Further, high-quality collection, analysis, and dissemination of data must underlie all of our efforts. As we move ahead, we must also recognize and draw lessons from positive examples of large scale and sustained programmes in countries that have led the way in increasing contraceptive use by adolescents. Conclusion This unprecedented moment in history gives us a real opportunity to bring about transformational change, particularly when there is so much at stake. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T22:39:55Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4c5d52578c9f4ad2bb5d241ccd80aa86 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1742-4755 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T22:39:55Z |
| publishDate | 2017-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Reproductive Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-4c5d52578c9f4ad2bb5d241ccd80aa862022-12-21T18:47:51ZengBMCReproductive Health1742-47552017-07-0114111310.1186/s12978-017-0347-9A never-before opportunity to strengthen investment and action on adolescent contraception, and what we must do to make full use of itVenkatraman Chandra-Mouli0Pooja S. Parameshwar1Matti Parry2Catherine Lane3Gwyn Hainsworth4Sylvia Wong5Lindsay Menard-FreemanBeth Scott6Emily SullivanMiles KemplayLale Say7Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health OrganizationAdolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health OrganizationAdolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health OrganizationUnited States Agency for International DevelopmentBill and Melinda Gates FoundationUnited Nations Population FundDepartment for International DevelopmentAdolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health OrganizationAbstract Background Increasingly, the health and rights of adolescents are being recognized and prioritized on the global agenda. This presents us with a “never-before” opportunity to address adolescent contraception. This is timely, as there are enormous numbers of adolescents who are currently unable to obtain and use contraceptives. From research evidence and programmatic experience, it is clear that we need to do things differently to meet their needs/fulfil their rights. Main body In this commentary, we call for action in several key areas to address adolescents’ persistent inability to obtain and use contraceptives. We must move away from one-size-fits-all approaches, from a ‘condoms-only’ mind set, from separate services for adolescents, from ignoring the appeal of pharmacies and shops, and from one-off-training to make health workers adolescent friendly. Our efforts to expand access to quality contraceptive services to adolescents must be combined with efforts to build their desire and ability to use them, and to do so consistently. In order for these changes to be made, action must be taken on several levels. This includes the formulation of sound national policies and strategies, robust programme implementation with monitoring, regular programmatic reviews, and implementation research. Further, high-quality collection, analysis, and dissemination of data must underlie all of our efforts. As we move ahead, we must also recognize and draw lessons from positive examples of large scale and sustained programmes in countries that have led the way in increasing contraceptive use by adolescents. Conclusion This unprecedented moment in history gives us a real opportunity to bring about transformational change, particularly when there is so much at stake.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12978-017-0347-9Adolescent healthAdolescent pregnancyContraceptive availabilityContraceptive distributionAdolescent health servicesSustainable development goals |
| spellingShingle | Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli Pooja S. Parameshwar Matti Parry Catherine Lane Gwyn Hainsworth Sylvia Wong Lindsay Menard-Freeman Beth Scott Emily Sullivan Miles Kemplay Lale Say A never-before opportunity to strengthen investment and action on adolescent contraception, and what we must do to make full use of it Reproductive Health Adolescent health Adolescent pregnancy Contraceptive availability Contraceptive distribution Adolescent health services Sustainable development goals |
| title | A never-before opportunity to strengthen investment and action on adolescent contraception, and what we must do to make full use of it |
| title_full | A never-before opportunity to strengthen investment and action on adolescent contraception, and what we must do to make full use of it |
| title_fullStr | A never-before opportunity to strengthen investment and action on adolescent contraception, and what we must do to make full use of it |
| title_full_unstemmed | A never-before opportunity to strengthen investment and action on adolescent contraception, and what we must do to make full use of it |
| title_short | A never-before opportunity to strengthen investment and action on adolescent contraception, and what we must do to make full use of it |
| title_sort | never before opportunity to strengthen investment and action on adolescent contraception and what we must do to make full use of it |
| topic | Adolescent health Adolescent pregnancy Contraceptive availability Contraceptive distribution Adolescent health services Sustainable development goals |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12978-017-0347-9 |
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