Provision of Health Information and Advice to Adolescent Patients by Clinicians in Arusha, Tanzania

Objectives: To determine the extent to which clinicians provide health information and advice about prevention of STDs/HIV, pregnancy and substance use to adolescent patients; and investigate if clinicians’ demographic and practice-related factors are associated with provision of such information and advice. Methods: Administration of questionnaire to 197 practicing clinicians in health facilities within two districts of Arusha region, Tanzania; investigating provision of health information and advice on STDs/HIV, pregnancy, and substance abuse to adolescent patients in the preceding 3 months. Demographic and practice-related information was collected from respondents. Logistic regression was used to assess if demographic and practice related factors were associated with providing information and advice. Results: Sixty-four percent of clinicians regularly provided information and advice to adolescent patients about STDs/HIV, 49% about pregnancy and 45% about substance use prevention. Having often attended adolescents with STDs was positively associated with regular provision of information and advice about STDs/HIV, as well as regular provision of information and advice about pregnancy. Being a clinical assistant and having often attended adolescents with cigarette/alcohol-related problems were positively associated with regular provision of information and advice about substance use. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of clinicians miss important opportunities to prevent disease and promote health of their adolescent patients. Future research should explore barriers to provision of health information and advice to adolescent patients who seek health care