Adolescent Reproductive Health Services through Anwesha Clinic in West Bengal: Profile of Beneficiary, Reasons for Visit, Challenges and Perceived Solutions

The broad objective of the study was to understand the profile of the adolescents visiting the Anwesha Clinic, reasons for visit, and challenges in delivering the services. A group of 31 Anwesha (Adolescent) Clinic Counsellors was covered in the study. Data were collected using an in-depth interview guide and case study method. This apart, case study method was also adopted. So far as profile of the beneficiaries is concerned, beneficiaries mostly belonged to 10 to 19 years age group and above, came from poor socio-economical background and engaged in various daily wage earning jobs while some of the beneficiaries mostly males were also travelling to other cities and working as migrant labourers. Most of the adolescents were referred cases with common ailments like cold, cough, and fever. This apart, girls mostly visited the clinic with menstrual problems, white discharge, lower abdominal pain, unwanted pregnancy and anaemia while boys visited the clinic to clarify issues like masturbation, night fall and problems in relationships including phone sex. Some of the boys visited the clinic just for fun and to engage in casual conversation with the female counsellors. In general, follow up was very poor across the districts. The main problems faced by the counsellors were space problem for confidential counselling, negative attitude of the permanent staff at the centre towards the counsellors, who are contractual staff and lack of support from the authority. All the counsellors felt the need for intensive training for delivering effective services to the beneficiaries confidently. A number of steps are suggested towards effective delivery of services through Anwesha Clinic.