The number of teenage girls visiting the youth health stations or HFU in the country has increased from 8 percent to 31 percent. On the other hand, the number of boys visiting the stations only increased from 7 to 11 per cent.
An overview from NRK shows the proportion of boys and girls who are at the youth health stations in the country for each of the years at secondary school and high school.
The Youth Health Station is a free service for youth between the ages of 13 and 20, up to 25 years. They are given advice on birth control and sexual health. There is also help given in mental health and other health issues. However, the boys are not as keen as the girls.
“Girls are better talking about these things. Being able to talk openly about feelings and problems is something they have been doing since they were young. The boys probably haven’t had the same role models, and talking about these issues probably doesn’t come as naturally,” said health nurse Kjetil Moseid.
At the health station for young people in Sandnes in Rogaland they have taken notice of the differences and created opportunities for boys to consult on request but with mixed results so far.
“We see that very few boys come to the health station. And if they come, it is always at the end of the day, and they often sit a little outside the others in the waiting room,” said manager Irene Asheim Ivesdal.
There have already been more boys coming in, with six visits since January compared to only four or five boys come by in six months last year.
© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
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