Needs Assessment: Sexual Health Decision Making amongst Thai Youth and Counsellors

Abstract

Adolescents are a unique and diverse group of individuals with varying health decision making needs. These decision making needs are particularly pronounced when one looks at sexual health. This article describes the results of a preliminary need assessment conducted with Thai adolescents and counsellors exploring the issue of sexual health decision making. The Ottawa Decision Support Framework (ODSF) formed the basis of this exploratory study. A questionnaire was developed based on this framework and administered via interviews to young Thai males and females as well as counsellors working in the area of sexual health in Bangkok, Thailand. Results reveal significant sexual health decision making needs amongst this group of young people as well as a disconnect between the adolescents’ perceived needs as identified by the adolescents themselves and by the sexual health counsellors.