Outcomes of an Adolescent School-Based Health Initiative Needs Assessment

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• School Health Programs

Background:

• Adolescent School-Based Health Initiatives (ASBHIs) aim to overcome barriers to healthcare access for adolescents.
• These programs are vital for students with unique health needs and limited access to medical services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the community's needs and desires for implementing an ASBHI in a middle school setting.
• To gather data on potential student, parent, and teacher engagement with school-based health services.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study utilizing a needs assessment survey.
• Survey topics included demographics, healthcare needs, and desired health resources for students.

Main Results:

• High support from teachers (94%) and parents (83%) for student participation in ASBHIs.
• 57% of students expressed willingness to use an ASBHI program.
• Significant perceived benefits for student attendance, with 71% of parents and 94% of teachers agreeing.

Conclusions:

• There is a clear need and high potential for utilization of an ASBHI in the studied community.
• ASBHIs can effectively address healthcare access barriers and potentially improve student attendance.
• Community stakeholders (students, parents, teachers) demonstrate strong support for school-based health initiatives.