NCERT Book Class 9 Health and Physical Education Adolescent Friendly Health Services

India is the second most populous country in the world with a total population of over 1.21 billion according to the 2011 Census. Adolescents (10–19 years) constitute over one-fifth of the total population, and their number is estimated to be about 243 million. They represent a resource for the future whose potential needs to be nurtured in a positive manner. The adolescents are considered to be healthy as a group; however, they do have a range of health problems that cause a lot of morbidity as well as mortality. In spite of specific health problems, it is a common servation that the existing health services do not cater to the specific problems of adolescents. Moreover, it is a challenge for the health sector to respond to their needs adequately by offering services in a friendly manner in a non-threatening environment. In this chapter, an attempt has been made to discuss the health needs of adolescents, the status of existing adolescent friendly health services and the manner in which  these services can be made available to adolescents so that these can be adequately utilised by them.

 

 

 

As you have realised while going through the chapters ‘Growing up with Confidence’ and ‘Diet for Healthy Living’, adolescence is the most significant period in the life of human beings. It is imperative, therefore, that the needs of adolescents be recognised and met adequately. Their health needs are mentioned below.

 

(i) Nutritional Needs: as discussed in the previous chapters, many boys and girls enter adolescence undernourished, making them more vulnerable to diseases. The findings of the National Family Health Survey 3 (NFHS 3) indicate high percentage of anaemia (56 per cent of females and 25 per cent of males in 15–24 age group were anaemic). Anaemia affects physical growth, cognitive development and performance in school and at work in later years. Anaemic women are more prone to give birth to malnourished children, with significant morbidity and mortality associated with both mother and child. Adequate nutrition and healthy eating habits and physical exercise at this age are foundations for good health in adulthood.