Introduction

  • Launched on 7th January 2014 by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India under National Health Mission (NHM)
  • Comprehensive national programme addressing holistic health and development needs of adolescents (10–19 years)
  • Based on continuum-of-care approach providing preventive, promotive, curative, counseling and referral services
  • Aims to empower adolescents to make informed, responsible decisions for better health outcomes and realize full potential

Objectives

  • Improve nutritional status, sexual & reproductive health, mental health and prevent NCDs, injuries, violence and substance misuse
  • Build life skills, enhance knowledge, attitudes and practices
  • Increase access to adolescent-friendly health services
  • Promote community participation and multi-sectoral convergence

Target Population

  • All adolescents aged 10–19 years (approximately 25.3 crore as per Census 2011)
  • Universal coverage: boys & girls, in-school & out-of-school, urban & rural

Six Priority Areas (Thematic Focus)

  • Nutrition
  • Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) including family planning, menstrual hygiene, RTI/STI
  • Mental Health
  • Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) – obesity, diabetes, hypertension, anemia
  • Injuries and Violence (including gender-based violence)
  • Substance Misuse (tobacco, alcohol, drugs)

Key Strategies

  • Community-based interventions
  • Facility-based services through Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics (AFHCs)
  • School/college-based programmes
  • Outreach activities
  • Convergence with Education, Women & Child Development, Youth Affairs departments

Peer Education Model (Saathiya Programme) – Core Community Component

  • Based on principle that adolescents are more receptive to messages from trained peers
  • Selection: 4 Peer Educators (Saathiyas) per village/1000 population/ASHA habitation (2 boys + 2 girls)
    • One male & one female for in-school adolescents; one male & one female for out-of-school
    • Age preferably 15–19 years; selected by ASHA in consultation with VHSNC on leadership qualities, communication skills and availability
  • Training: 6-day residential/non-residential training by ANM/Medical Officer using standardized Training Manual for Peer Educators (14 sessions covering 6 themes + life skills); provided with Peer Educator Kit (activity book, FAQ booklet, badge, T-shirt)
  • Roles & Responsibilities:
    • Form peer groups of 15–20 same-gender adolescents (separate for boys/girls)
    • Conduct weekly interactive 1–2 hour participatory sessions on all 6 priority areas using life-skills approach
    • Facilitate behavior change communication, address myths/misconceptions, promote healthy practices
    • Mobilize adolescents for quarterly Adolescent Health Days (AHD)
    • Refer adolescents to AFHCs for counseling/services and ensure follow-up
    • Participate in monthly Adolescent Friendly Club meetings organized by ANM
    • Maintain monthly report and submit to ASHA
    • Benefits: Cost-effective, high acceptance, builds leadership among peers, improves service utilization and reduces risky behaviours

Adolescent Friendly Health Clinics (AFHCs)

  • Also called Utkarsh/Teen/Shraddha clinics
  • Located at all levels (PHC/CHC/District Hospital/Medical College)
  • Provide confidential, non-judgmental, adolescent-responsive services on all 6 themes
  • Services: counseling, clinical care, commodities (condoms, OCPs, IFA), lab investigations, referral

Other Major Interventions

  • Quarterly Adolescent Health Days (AHD) at village level
  • Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) in schools & Anganwadis
  • Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (distribution of sanitary napkins)
  • Adolescent Helpline and IEC/BCC activities
  • Integration with RBSK, School Health Programme and POSHAN

Monitoring & Evaluation

  • Use of standardized reporting formats, peer educator diaries and digital tracking
  • State & district level review; focus on coverage, quality of sessions and service linkage