By calling the number 120, it is now possible to receive reproductive health related accurate information, counseling, and referrals to appropriate services or resources.
The Youth Health Line is reachable by pressing 120 from each phone for free.
The service is available in Dari and Pashto every day initially from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
The anonymity of the Youth Health Line allows the caller to ask questions that may be difficult to address in a face-to-face context.
Evidence has shown that comprehensive sexuality education that is age-appropriate, gender-sensitive and life skills-based can provide young people with the knowledge, skills and efficacy to make informed decisions about their sexuality and lifestyle.
When young people are equipped with accurate and relevant information, when they have developed skills in decision-making, negotiation, communication and critical thinking, and have access to counseling and Sexual Reproductive Health and HIV services that are non-judgmental and affordable, they are better able to:
- Take advantage of educational and other opportunities that will impact their lifelong well-being;
- Avoid unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions;
- Improve their reproductive health and protect themselves against sexual transmitted infections including HIV; and
- Understand and question social norms and practices and contribute to society.
By calling the Youth Help Line you can get more information on:
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system, and to its functions and processes. Reproductive health therefore implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life and that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so.
By calling the Youth Health Line you can get information about puberty, safe pregnancy, antenatal care and post natal care, what to do if you face pregnancy complication, how to take care of new born child and reproductive health rights.
FAMILY PLANNING
Family planning allows people to attain their desired number of children and determine the spacing of pregnancies. It is achieved through use of contraceptive methods and the treatment of infertility. Ensuring access to preferred contraceptive methods for women and couples is essential to securing the well-being and autonomy of women, while supporting the health and development of communities.
By calling the Youth Health Line you can get information about contraceptive methods, role of male and female in family planning, delivering facilities, contra indication of family planning.
SEXUAL TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are infections that are spread primarily through person-to-person sexual contact. There are more than 30 different sexually transmissible bacteria, viruses and parasites.
By calling the Youth Health Line you can get information about type of sexual transmitted diseases, mode of transmission, complication of sexual transmitted diseases, how and where to cure STIs.
HIV/AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the name of the clinical condition that results from infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which progressively damages the body's ability to protect itself from disease organisms.
By calling the Youth Health Line you can get information about HIV transmission, sign and symptom of HIV, how and where to treat HIV/AIDS.
EARLY MARRIAGE AND EARLY PREGNANCY CONSEQUENCES
Any marriage below 16 years is a violation of the Afghanistan Civil Law. Early marriage forces children to assume responsibilities and handle situations for which they are physically and psychologically unprepared. Girls who are forced into early marriages are at a much higher risk of suffering from all forms of domestic violence. Child brides are not physically mature to sustain early pregnancy, premature labor and childbirth.
MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health is not just the absence of mental disorder. It is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community. Poor mental health is strongly related to other health conditions and development outcomes in young people, including lower educational achievements, substance abuse, violence, and poor reproductive and sexual health.
ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders and can continue through adolescence and adulthood. Symptoms include difficulty staying focused and paying attention, difficulty controlling behavior, and hyperactivity (over-activity). By calling the Youth Health Line you can get information about ADHD disorder, how to prevent and treat ADHD disorder.
VIOLENCE
Violence is the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, mal-development, or deprivation. By calling the Youth Health Line you can get information about different types of violence including family violence, physical violence, mental violence, sexual violence, gender based violence, possible consequences, how and where find assistance.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Substance abuse is defined as a pattern of harmful use of any substance for mood-altering purposes. By calling the Youth Health Line you can get information about addiction problems, drugs and other substance consequences, how to prevent and cure addictions, where to find assistance to cure addictions.
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
A communicable disease is an infectious disease that can be transmitted from an infected organism to another. By calling the Youth Health Line you can get information about what are communicable disease, route of transmission, signs and symptoms, prevention and treatment of these diseases.
NUTRITION
Nutrition is the intake of food, considered in relation to the body's dietary needs. Good nutrition - an adequate, well balanced diet combined with regular physical activity; is a cornerstone of good health. Poor nutrition can lead to reduced immunity, increased susceptibility to diseases, impaired physical and mental development, and reduced productivity. By calling the Youth Health Line you can get information about different type of nutrient's, need for nutrition, balance diet, nutrition/ diet during puberty, nutrition during pregnancy and sign for anemia.
PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND HEALTH
Physical activity is usually defined as "any bodily movement associated with muscular contraction that increases energy expenditure above resting levels". "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Physical activity, health and quality of life are closely interconnected. The human body was designed to move and therefore needs regular physical activity in order to function optimally and avoid illness.
