Adolescents Perspective in Addressing their Sexual Health Needs (วัยรุ่นกับความต้องการในการดูแลสุขภาพทางเพศ)

Sixty-five adolescents, aged 14-20 years, were in-depth interviewed in this qualitative researchduring March 2001 - September 2002. All had sexual experiences and lived in Chiang Mai andLamphun provinces. The interviews focused on adolescents sexual health needs and preference forideal services, including health services seeking behaviors and attitudes toward health care providers.Being in grade 10-12, vocational schools or university, the majority of them had, at least, asexual partner or 2-6 on the average, who were their classmates. Using condom was rare leading tounwanted pregnancy, terminated mostly by suppository drugs. Some sought abortion services atprivate clinics or hospitals. Abortion failure with excessive bleeding resulted in being hospitalized.There impressions toward health care providers were ambivalent. The subjects portrayed idealhealth care institutions as always open, private, friendly atmosphere, convenient, locating outside ofany hospital, and assuring anonymity. Also, they preferred one stop service including both counselingand medical services embracing them with empathy, forgiveness and positive attitudes. Suchservices could instantly become popular among potential beneficiaries. Key words: adolescent, sexual health service, one-stop service