Assessing The Knowledge, Perception and Utilization of Youth Friendly Health Services Amongst Adolescents in Selected Secondary Schools in Lagos State

The study assessed the knowledge, perception and utilization of youth friendly health services amongst adolescents in selected secondary schools in Ikeja (Lagos). This study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional design which was aimed at determining the knowledge, perception and utilization of youth friendly health services. The sample consisted of 360 students drawn among adolescents in selected secondary schools in Ikeja (Lagos). The sampling technique adopted in this study was multi-stage sampling technique. The source of data that was used in this research was gotten through the use of questionnaire. Face and content validity of the instrument (questionnaire) was carried out by experts in Nursing Science and Tests and Measurement. The data collected were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. The result of the study showed that the knowledge level of the participants was very high while the perception of the respondent was very low. It was also revealed that the level of their perception affected the level of utilization of the youth friendly health services. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that there should be a constant evaluation check on the health care providers on how they provide their services. Also, training should be done for the health care providers to keep them in track on how to deal with the adolescents.

Keywords: Knowledge, Perception, Utilization, Health Services, Adolescents,