Abstract
BACKGROUND: The adolescent- and youth-friendly services (AYFS) programme has the potential to address several diverse problems within adolescents' healthcare systems by improving the quality, accessibility, efficiency, and effectiveness of healthcare services. The country continues to suffer from structural and systemic factors that hinder the effective provision and implementation of AYFS despite its comprehensive legal and policy framework and commitment to enhancing young people's health. Vhembe District has not been evaluated regarding the implementation of AYFS based on WHO global standards. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the implementation of AYFS against the World Health Organization (WHO) global standards for quality healthcare services for adolescents to strengthen these services in Vhembe District, Limpopo. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was used to evaluate the implementation of AYFS against the WHO global standards for quality healthcare services for adolescents in Vhembe District, Limpopo. Evaluating the implementation of AYFS was conducted through questionnaires distributed to healthcare providers in the selected primary healthcare facilities in Vhembe District. For descriptive statistical analysis, research data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). RESULTS: The AYFS have been evaluated in depth across eight WHO global standards for quality health-care services for adolescents, with areas of success and areas for improvement identified. Provider competency reveals a disparity, with a majority (67.0%) of healthcare providers trained in effective communication with adolescents. In comparison, significantly fewer have received specific training in AYFS (16%) or on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) (25.9%), underscoring the need for a more balanced approach to training focus. CONCLUSION: Research findings highlight the strengths and gaps of AYFS in Vhembe District, aligned with government and WHO priorities for adolescent health. Addressing the identified gaps is vital to ensuring that healthcare facilities are adolescent- and youth-friendly, easily accessible, and can be implemented effectively to address adolescent and youth health challenges in Vhembe District.