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Adolescent and Youth Health Program (AYHP)
Submitted by april2011 on May 6, 2011 - 11:01
A Situationer on Adolescents Health
Non-communicable diseases account for more than 40% of the deaths in young people (10-24 years old) and injuries are
the causes of death in almost one third of people in this age group. Assault and transport accidents are the leading causes
of mortality among young people with a mortality rate of 9.7 and 5.8 deaths per 100,000 populations, respectively
(Philippine Health Statistics, 2003). Other significant causes of death among the 10-24 years old Filipinos include
complications related to pregnancy, labor and puerperium; epilepsy; chronic rheumatic heart disease; intentional self
harm; and accidental drowning and submersion (Philippine Health Statistics, 2003).Of the 1.67 M live births registered
in 2003, 35.7% (596, 076 LB) were by women £24 years old. Teenage pregnancy accounted for 8% of all births
(National Demographic Health Survey, 2003). Of the 1,798 maternal deaths registered for the same year, 22.3% were
women £24 years old. The proportion of malnutrition among those 11 – 19 years of age (underweight and overweight)
were noted to increase from 1993 to 2003 (FNRI Survey 1993, 1998 and 2003).About 4% of Filipinos 10 – 24 years of
age have some form of disability. The most common of this are speaking and hearing disabilities.
MOST COMMON CAUSES OF DEATH AMONG 10-24 YEARS OLD
PER 10,000 POPULATION. Philippine Health Statistics, 2003
Male Female Both
Rank Cause of Death No. Rate No. Rate No. Rate
1 Asssault 2,240 17.6 183 1.5 2,423 9.7
2 Transport Accidents 1,146 9.0 303 2.5 1,449 5.8
3 Event of undetermined 570 5.3 300 2.5 970 3.9
intent

2. 4 Symptoms, signs & abnormal clinical 602 4.7 352 2.9 954 3.8
findings not elsewhere classified
5 Pneumonia 527 4.1 355 2.9 882 3.5
6 Tuberculosis of the Respiratory 537 4.2 340 2.8 877 3.5
System
7 Chronic Rheumatic Heart Disease 447 3.5 426 3.5 873 3.5
8 Accidental drowning and submersion 596 4.7 215 1.7 811 3.2
9 Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and 385 3.0 332 2.7 717 2.9
nephrosis
10 Other accidents & late effects of 518 113 0.9 631 2.5
transport/other accidents 4.1
Leading Threats to Adolescents Health
Accidents and other inflicted injuries
Among 10- 24 age groups, this threat caused 27% of the total deaths (2003 data). Young males always exlusively
succumb to injuries and females have the increasing mortality due to complications of pregrancy, labor delivery and
puerperium. These data have been on the uptrend, a challenge to community-based or DOH-led programs. The threat is
caused by the adolescent’s exposure to poorly maintained roads and poorly managed traffic systems. Adolescents’
increased mobility to urban areas needs a correspondidng physical and infrastructre support in their quest for better
opportunities and education pursuits. Another is the inability of the state to provide adequate number of police personnel
leading to an increasing number of assault and transport accidents among the young males.
Tubercolusis, Pneumonia, and Accidental drowning
Close to 6% of young Filipinos who died in 2003 died of various forms of tuberculosis, followed by pneumonia that
caused 4% of deaths. This health issue among the young has been declining through the years due to sustaine
nationwide programs that began in 1987 and has somehow caused to keep deaths down, hence efforts to contin
sustaining becomes the challenge.
The threat of HIV and other sexually – related diseases
Reported cases increased substantially increased over the past year.Among the 15-24 year olds, reported HIV infections
nearly tripled between 2007 and 2008 from 41 cases to 110 per year, which is substantial cause for alarm. In 2009, 15-24
year olds make 29% of all new infections; in 2009, the number of new infections among 20-24 equals the number of new
infections among 25-29; with 10 cases see July DoH AIDS Registry Report. The substantial increase from the past yea
can be traced from the adolescents’ early engagement in health risk behaviour, due to serious gaps of the knowledg
the dangers of drugs, as well as the cause as well as causes on the transmission of STD and HIV AIDS , danger
indiscriminate tattooing and body- piercing and inadequate population education. Under this threat, young males
prone to engaging in health risk behaviour and more young fermales are also doing the same without protection and
prone to aggressive or coercive behaviours of others in the community such that it often results to significant number
unwanted pregrancies,septic abortion and poor self-care practices.
In addition, there are also other less common but significant causes of disease and deaths namely;
Intentional self- harm – 9th leading cause of death among 20-24 years old. In this age group, seven out of 10 who
the
died of suicide were males. In age group of 10-24 years old took up 34% of all deaths from suicide in 2003
Substance Abuse - 15-19 years old group has the claim of drug use; more males than females who are drug users a
drug rehabilitaiton centers claim that majority of clients belong to age group of 25-29 years old. According to the SW

3. survey, 1996- 1.5M youth Filipinos and 1997- grew into 2.1M youth Filipinos are into substance abuse
Nutritional Deficiencies –there are no specific rates for adolescent and youth, but there is the prevalence of anemia and
vitamin A deficiency which may be also high for the adolescents and youth as those known for the younger and
pregnant women.
Disability – Filipinos aged 10-24 years old has an overall disability prevalence of 4%. The most common disability
among this age group affected are speaking (35%), hearing (33%) and moving and mobility (22%)
There are also vulnerable Filipino adolescents which can be classified in their respective areas of vulnerability
VULNERABLE YOUNG FILIPINOS
Sub-groups Vulnerability areas
Young among the Common infections, physical abuse or assault,
street-dwellers sexual exploitation, drug use, road accidents
Out- of- school High risk behaviour; smoking, alcohol use, drug
adolescents and youth abuse, high risk sexual behaviour, risky work
conditions leading to injuries and diseases
Urban –based male High risk behaviour; transport accidents , other
youth inflicted injuries
Female adolescents Sexual abuse, sexual exploitation , unwanted
pregranancies, abortion, unsafe pregnancy and
insecure motherhood
Not living with Nutritional disorders, substance use and risky sexual
parents or family behaviour, other inflcited injuries
Factors Causing Threats to Adolescents Health
The alarming patterns of health issues affecting adolescents health is caused by the following factors operating in a
systemic manner reinforcing further complexities in the health issues affecting adolescents .
Socio-Cultural Factors
Demographic Factors
Continuing Rapid Population Growth
The rapid population growth of the youth creates pressure to the state to expand education, health and employment FO
rhtis age group. The pressure creates an imbalance to the distribution and allocation of resources to various sectors
especially the youth. The imbalance reinforces deeper the marginalization and deprivation of some sectors to basic
services. A viscious cycle is created and more are having difficulties to access provision on health service delivery.
Increased population movement
The scarctiy of local employment has triggered the participation of the youth in overseas work. The movemente of
sector has caused displacement from families and love ones increase youth’s vulnerability to exploitation, low paying job
According to a study in 2001, there were more tha 6,000 workers in the teenage group overseas workers and it is most
likely that they would land in overseas low paying work.
Attitudes, Lifestyles, Sense of Values, Norms and Behaviours of Adolescents
Health Risk Behaviors

4. A significant proportion of young people engage in high-risk behaviors – 23% ever had pre- marital sex, 57% of first sex
experience was unplanned and unplanned. About 70% - 80% of their most recent sexual experiences were unprotected
(YAFS, 2002).
The 2002 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey showed that the proportion of 15-24 year olds who were currently
smoking, drinking and using drugs were 20.9%, 41.4% and 2.4%, respectively. The proportion is higher among males
compared to females. A comparative data (1994 and 2003) showed that among 15 – 24 year olds, smoking increased by
23%; drinking increased by 10%; drug use increased by 85%; and pre martial sex increased by 30% (YAFSS, 2003).
The likelihood of engaging in pre-marital sex is higher among those who smoke, drink alcohol or take drugs. As a
consequence of substance and alcohol abuse, some have mental and neurological disorders; others spend the productive
years of their life behind bars with hardcore lawless adults.
Health Seeking Behavior
Adolescents are more likely to consult the health center (45%) or government physician (19%) for their health needs
(Baseline Survey for the National Objectives for Health, 2000). The most common reasons for not consulting were the
lack of money, lack of time, fear of diagnosis, distance and disapproval of parents. Dental examination and BP
monitoring were the most common reasons for consultation (62.4% and 37.8%, respectively).Similalry, Conditions
relating to pregnancy, childbirth and post partum were among the leading reasons for utilization of in-patient,
emergency room and out patient health services at DOH-Retained Tertiary General Hospitals.
Low Contraceptive Use
The overall use of contraception among sexually active adolescents is at 20%. Non- desire for pregnancy and high
awareness of contraceptive methods were not enough to encourage adolescents to use contraceptives. Among the
reasons cited for the low contraceptive use were:
Contraceptives were given only to married individuals of reproductive age
Even if they were made available to adolescents, the culture says that it is taboo for young unmarried individuals
to avail of contraceptive services and commodities.
Condom use is perceived mainly for STIs, HIV/AIDS prevention rather than contraception
The practice Abortion and Unmet need for Contraception
In 2000, induced abortion among adolescents reached 319,000. This is due to the inadequate knowledge on preventing
unwanted pregnancies. Consequences of teen-age pregnancies among young mothers include not being able to finish
school and reduced employment options and opportunities. In addtion, the social stigma and fear brought about by
unwanted pregrancy pushes the young mother to resort to abortion. Although the disapproval rating for abortion remains
to be high, there is an increasing trend among those who approve of it (from 4% to 6% in males and 3.5% to 4% in
females).On contraceptive use , adolescents also don't use condoms for prevention of HIV,it's not only that they don't
use them for contraception.
Risk of HIV/AIDS due to Unprotected Sex
Adolescents including children living in exteme conditons and great exposure to sexual exploitation and abuse belong to
high-risk categories threatened by unprotected sex. Latest data on these shows that majority of people engaged in sex
work are young and 70 % of HIV infections involve male-to-male sex. The proportion of young people reported to have
STDs/HIV and AIDS is increasing. The YAFS survey showed that although awareness about STDs is increasing,
misconceptions about AIDS appear to have the same trend. The proportion of those who think AIDS is curable more
than doubled (from 12% in 1994 to 28% in 2002). Many adolescents also resort to services of unqualified traditional
healers, obtain antibiotics from pharmacies or drug hawkers or resort to advices from friends (e.g. drinking detergent
dissolved in water) without proper diagnosis to address problems of STDs. Improper or incomplete treatment may mask
the symptoms without curing the disease increasing the risk of transmission and development of complications. The

5. limited use of condoms to protect adolescents from risk of HIV is an issue to reflection for condom use is not only to
prevent pregranancy but also preventing sexually transmitetd disease. r The YAFS 2002 survey showed that Filipino
males and females are at risk of STIs, HIV/AIDS. It was reported that 62 % of sexually transmitted infections affect the
adolescents while 29 % of HIV positive Filipino cases are young people. In addition, it was revealed that thirty seven
percent (37%) of Filipino males 25 years of age have had sex before they marry with women other than their wives.
Some will have paid for sex while others will have had five or more partners.
Political and Economic Factors
Marginalization and Poverty
The disturbing poverty situation of households and families where majority of the adolescents belong brings in difficulties
to meet adolescents’.needs. Poverty is closely link to adolescent health issues. It reinforces to the situation of adolescen
vulnerability to health risks due to the lack of access to various services and unsupportive social, political and economic
environment. The following are some of the consequences of poverty faced by the youth.
Limited Access to Information -among the greatest challenges for Filipino youth is access to correct and
meaningful information on sexual and reproductive issues.
Limited access to services and commodities
-The lack of access to contraceptive services and supplies was among
the most frequently articulated concerns with regard to adolescent SRH. Programs such as the AYHDP do
recognize adolescents’ need for access to contraception.
Limited awareness of pertinent policies-While the AYHP Administrative order was issued in 2000, few key
informants knew of its existence. In fact, many key informants said that no ARH policy existed at the time they
were interviewed
Technological Factors
Rapid Advancement of Communication
The value of technological advancement could never be discounted. However, to the curious and adventurous adolesce
various modes of communications are oftentimes abused and misused such as the use of internet and mobile phones.
Adolescents then become vulnerable to exploitation, in cybersex and pornography exposing them deeper into risky
behaviour. In addtion the digital dependence and addiction causes alienation of adolescetns to personal and closer mode
of communciation resulting to a distorted image of the adoelscents relationships to the social environment. This also
deprives the adolescents from productive activities where they can develop themselves fully grown up and mature
conomic and socail being Moreover, communcation advantcement has also produced adverstisements and television
commercials whose image are not adoelsent- friendly are paving the way for so much consumerism, distorted personal
and family values
THE ADOLESCENTS HEALTH PROGRAM IN THE PHILIPPINES
. International Policies, Passages and Laws as anchors
n International Laws
UN Convention on the Rights of Children
UN Convention the Action for the Promotion and Protection of the health of adolescents
Convention on the Elimination of all forms of discrimination againts women
1994 International Conference on Populaiton and Development ( ICPD)
1995 Fourth World Conference on Women
World Programme of Action for Youth 2000
MDG Goals :

6. Goal 2:Achieve Universal Primary Education
Goal 3:Promote Gender Equality
Goal 4 : Reduce Child Mortality
Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health
Goal 6:Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases
National Laws and Policies
o National Objectives for Health
o Fourmula One for Health
o Adolescent and Youth Health Policy (AYH)
o Adolescent and Youth Health and Develoment Program
o National Directional Plan for reaching the Un reahced Youth Population
o Reproductive Health Program AO#1 s1998
o Local Government Code
WHO, together with countries and areas in the Region and partner agencies, are working to promote healthy
development of adolescents and reduce mortality and morbidity. In the Western Pacific Region, several technical units
are working to implement interventions that improve adolescent health in the Region. The Philippines belong to the
Western Pacific Region and is committed to:
Recognize adolescents as ‘vulnerable and a ‘group in need’
o Address Issues that have an evidence base
o Socio- Cultural perspectives
o Develop Innovative mechanisms to reach out to adolescents.
o Encourage collaboration and partnerships
o Program implementation is monitored and evaluated.
The Adolescent Health Program
The Adolescents Youth and Heath Development Programs was established in 2001 under the oversight of the Department
of Health in partnership with other government agencies with adolescent concerns and other stakeholdres. The program
targeting youth ages 10–24, and the program provides comprehensive implementation guidelines for youth-friendly
comprehensive health care and services on multiple levels—national, regional, provincial/city, and municipal
The program is solidly achored on International and laws, passages and polices meant to address adolescent’s health
concerns. It is operating then within the facets and adolescents and youth health that includes disability, mental and
environmental health, reproductive and sexuality, violence and injury prevention and among others.
It employed strategies to ensure integration of the program intothe health care system in addition, broader society such as
building a supportive policy environment, intensifying IEC and advocacy particularly among teachers, families, and
peers, building the technical capacity of providers of care, and support for youth; improving accessibility and availability
of quality health services, strengthening multi-sectoral partnerships, resource mobilization, allocation and improved data
collection and management.

7. The program to address sexual and reproductive health issues likewise adopts gender-sensitive approaches. The primary
responsibility for implementation of the AYHDP, and its mainstreaming into the health system, falls to regional and
provincial/city sectors. Guidelines cover service delivery, IEC, training, research and information collection, monitoring
and evaluation, and quality assurance.
Program Manager:
Dr. Minerva Vinluan
National Center for Disease Prevention and Control - Family Health Office
Phone: (02) 651-7800 locals 1728-1730
Email: mineravinluan@yahoo.com
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