Many barriers prevent young people from accessing health services that are pertinent and friendly to them. The objective was to determine if the selected clinics provided youth-friendly services and if barriers existed at these clinics for young people to access health care. A descriptive cross-sectional study using anonymous questionnaires was conducted amongst young people visiting two primary health care clinics and one community healthcare center in the eThekwini Metro of KwaZulu Natal. Of the 152 participants, two-thirds were females, the majority being between 18-24 years. Over 42% (n=64) stated that the waiting periods were too long (p < 0.05), while fifty-three respondents (35%) complained of the short consultation times. Forty-two percent felt that the staff was judgmental towards them when they sought reproductive health services, while (15%) felt discriminated against. Twenty-one percent felt their privacy was not honored. A third of the participants stated that no awareness programs/group discussions existed within the clinic to inform them about HIV/AIDS, STI, though (73%) responded that educational materials on HIV are available. Only (8%) were treated by a doctor, but (87%) preferred treatment by a doctor and to be seen by the same person every time they came to the clinic. A small percentage of (16%) rated the clinic services as excellent. The study has highlighted characteristics that contribute to clinics not offering youth-friendly services.

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Naido, P. 2015. Evaluation of clinics on the provision of youth friendly services in the Ethekwini Metro of Kwazulu Natal. International Journal of Health and Medical Sciences, vol. 1, no. 1, pp.  1-7.