Accessibility and factors associated with utilization of mental health services in youth health centers. A qualitative comparative analysis in northern Sweden

et al. 2020

BMC Health Serv Res

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Background: Sweden has nearly 300 youth clinics that have been offering services since the 1970s. However, no evaluation has been done to assess their youth-friendliness. This study aims to assess: i) to what extent youth clinics are perceived as youth-friendly by the young people using them; and ii) if the level of youth friendliness is equally perceived across different sociodemographic groups of users. Methods: The four northernmost counties of Sweden were included in the study. Of the total identified 22 youth clinics, 20 participated by giving out questionnaires to the youth after their visits to the respective youth clinics. In total 1110 youth participated in the study and answered questions according to the World Health Organization's criteria of accessibility, equity, respect, privacy and confidentiality, no judgement, and quality. Means and frequencies were calculated, and t-test and ANOVA were used to compare means by sociodemographic variables. Results: Participants perceived the youth clinics as very youth friendly across the measured domains, with scores as high as 4.8 and 4.9 (of a maximum of 5). Youth clinics were perceived in a similar way regardless of gender, but other sociodemographic factors influenced some of the domains, especially ethnic background. Conclusions: The perception of youth friendliness in youth clinics was very high. Nonetheless, younger users; users who did not categorize themselves as either heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual; users with trans-experiences; and users with non-Swedish backgrounds gave youth clinics lower scores for certain domains.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While YCs have always implemented a holistic youthcentred approach, the traditional focus has been on sexual and reproductive health. How to strengthen the role of YCs in other areas of health, especially mental health, is currently being discussed [13][14][15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the youth-friendliness of youth clinics in northern Sweden: a survey analyzing the perspective of the youth

et al. 2020

BMC Health Serv Res

Self Cite

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…YCs have always implemented a holistic youth-centred approach, the traditional focus has been on sexual and reproductive health. How to strengthen the role of YCs in other areas of health, especially mental health, is currently being discussed (13)(14)(15).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the youth-friendliness of youth clinics in northern Sweden: a survey analyzing the perspective of the youth

et al. 2020

Preprint

Self Cite

Background: Sweden has nearly 300 youth clinics that have been offering services since the 1970s.However, no evaluation has been done to assess their youth-friendliness. This study aims to assess: i) to what extent youth clinics are perceived as youth-friendly by the young people using them; and ii) if the level of youth friendliness is equally perceived across different sociodemographic groups of users.Methods: The four northernmost counties of Sweden were included in the study. Of the total identified 22 youth clinics, 20 participated by giving out questionnaires to the youth after their visits to the respective youth clinics. In total 1,110 youth participated in the study and answered questions according to the World Health Organization's criteria of accessibility, equity, respect, privacy and confidentiality, no judgement, and quality. Means and frequencies were calculated, and t-test and ANOVA were used to compare means by sociodemographic variables.Results: Participants perceived the youth clinics as very youth friendly across the measured domains, with scores as high as 4.8 and 4.9 (of a maximum of 5).Youth clinics were perceived in a similar way regardless of gender, but other sociodemographic factors influenced some of the domains, especially ethnic background.Conclusions: The perception of youth friendliness in youth clinics was very high. Nonetheless, younger users; users who did not categorize themselves as either heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual; users with trans-experiences; and users with non-Swedish backgrounds gave youth clinics lower scores for certain domains.

“…Also, the resources available differ geographically. YCs located in smaller places have fewer professionals and much shorter working hours, and many rural municipalities lack YCs (7,10). While YCs have always implemented a holistic youth-centred approach, the traditional focus has been on sexual and reproductive health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the youth-friendliness of youth clinics in northern Sweden: the perspective of the youth

et al. 2019

Preprint

Self Cite

Background Sweden has nearly 300 youth clinics that have been offering services since the 1970s. However, no evaluation has been done to assess their youth-friendliness. This study aims to assess: i) to what extent youth clinics are perceived as youth-friendly by the young people using them; and ii) if the level of youth friendliness is equally perceived across different sociodemographic groups of users.Methods The four northernmost counties of Sweden were included in the study. Of the total identified 22 youth clinics, 20 participated by giving out questionnaires to the youth after their visits to the respective youth clinics. In total 1,110 youth participated in the study and answered questions according to the World Health Organization’s criteria of accessibility, equity, respect, privacy and confidentiality, no judgement, and quality. Means and frequencies were calculated, and t-test and ANOVA were used to compare means by sociodemographic variables.Results Participants perceived the youth clinics as very youth friendly across the measured domains, with scores as high as 4.8 and 4.9 (of a maximum of 5) in the studied domains. Youth clinics were perceived in a similar way regardless of gender, but other sociodemographic factors influenced some of the domains, especially ethnic background.Conclusions The perception of youth friendliness in youth clinics was very high. Nonetheless, younger users; users who did not categorize themselves as either heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual; users with trans-experiences; and users with migrant backgrounds gave youth clinics lower scores for certain domains.