ADOLESCENT HEALTH AND THE LOOK OF INSTITUTIONAL ACTORS IN FIVE PROVINCES IN THE NORTH OF ARGENTINA. PARADIGMS, PERCEPTIONS AND PROGRAMS

Abstract

Objective: This article analyzes the opinions of public servants involved in health problems concerning adolescents, focusing on the strategies and interventions designed to address such needs, and how they manage to articulate actions in order to achieve objectives. Method: A common mapping of actors was designed for the analyzed locations (Chaco, Jujuy, Salta, Misiones and La Rioja), 10-12 interviews were done in each province, prior informed consent, between October and November 2016.  Results: The opinions gathered and management experiences show that there is no stated strategy in adolescent health in the country; however, there are isolated planned approaches as part of national programs, or through specific initiatives in the provinces. This does not necessarily imply lack of commitment from civil servants: their high turnover exacerbates the challenge; informal coordination relies on individual links, which require reorganization with every change of person in charge. Conclusions: The study shows gaps leading to identify and implement policies for adolescents. These gaps go from the recognition or not of a new paradigm based on persons of rights as well as its correlation with real actions showing that such paradigm is recognized and translated into concrete actions, knowledge transmission and consistent allocation of resources. As a result, it is observed that there is not a shared strategy regarding adolescence health in the country; instead we find non-coordinated and isolated approaches, with many gaps, particularly related to mental health and addictions.