CLINICAL PROTOCOL FOR THE HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN NIGERIA

Guidelines offer a protocol for healthcare providers to deliver comprehensive health services to adolescents and young people. They target clinicians, nurses, school health teams, and youth-friendly facilities. This ensures developmentally appropriate care for their needs.

What Is This Policy?

A clinical and programmatic protocol guiding healthcare providers in delivering comprehensive adolescent and youth-friendly health services, covering physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health needs.

Who Does It Target?

Clinicians and nurses serving adolescents at all health facility levels Adolescents aged 10-19 and young people 20-24 School health teams Youth-friendly health facilities

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Ensure healthcare providers are equipped to deliver rights-based, developmentally appropriate health services to adolescents and young people that address their specific physical, mental, and reproductive health needs.

Key Features

Adolescent Health Package: Defines the minimum package of health services for adolescents at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Youth-Friendly Services: Prescribes the standards for youth-friendly service delivery including privacy and non-judgmental care. Sexual and Reproductive Health: Provides clinical guidance on contraception, STI testing, and pregnancy care for adolescents. Mental Health: Includes screening and referral protocols for adolescent mental health conditions.

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active — implemented at health facilities nationwide Coverage: All health facilities serving adolescents Beneficiaries: Nigerian adolescents and young people Funding: Federal Ministry of Health; UNFPA; WHO

How to Access

Adolescents may access youth-friendly health services at designated facilities Healthcare workers: download from FMOH website Training on the protocol available through the state ministries of health Application method: Access at https://www.health.gov.ng

Important Terms

Adolescents have the right to confidential health services even without parental consent in many circumstances Non-judgmental care is a minimum standard for all adolescent services Healthcare providers must avoid gatekeeping that prevents adolescents from accessing services

Official Resources

Website: https://www.health.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Health — Adolescent Health Division

Legal Framework

Issued under the authority of the Federal Ministry of Health pursuant to the National Health Act 2014 and Section 17 of the 1999 Constitution on health objectives. Aligns with the National Adolescent Health Policy, the National Reproductive Health Policy, the WHO Adolescent Health and Development guidelines, and the Operational Guidelines for Youth-Friendly Health Services. Consistent with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Sustainable Development Goal 3 on good health.