Adolescence is a critical developmental stage characterized by significant physical, emotional, and social transformations, during which individuals begin to form their identity and explore their sexuality. Ensuring access to accurate information and supportive health services during this phase is essential for fostering healthy sexual and reproductive behaviors. Globally, adolescent reproductive health has garnered increasing attention as a public health priority, with youth-friendly services being promoted as an effective strategy to provide safe, accessible, and non-judgmental care for young people. These services have demonstrated success in enhancing adolescents’ utilization of reproductive health care and improving health outcomes in various contexts (1).However, the implementation of youth-friendly health services in many low-and middle-income countries remains inconsistent. Barriers such as limited provider training, insufficient adolescent engagement, and fragmented policies often undermine their effectiveness (2). These challenges are particularly pronounced in Southeast Asia, a region where cultural and religious norms frequently constrain open dialogue about sexuality. In countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, resistance to comprehensive sexual education in schools and limited parental support further complicate adolescent access to reproductive health information and services (3). As a result, interventions that are effective in other regions often face limited success due to the need for greater cultural sensitivity and contextual adaptation (4).In Indonesia, these regional challenges are further compounded by deeply rooted socio-cultural taboos and a lack of comprehensive sexual education. Adolescents often receive inadequate or inaccurate information about reproductive health, increasing their vulnerability to risky sexual behaviors, unintended pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections (5, 6). While national policies have begun to recognize the importance of adolescent health, the practical implementation of youth-friendly services is hindered by systemic issues such as undertrained health providers, stigma, and limited adolescent participation in the design and delivery of programs (2, 7).Therefore, this study aims to explore the role and effectiveness of adolescent-friendly health services in Indonesia in meeting the sexual and reproductive health needs of young people. It seeks to identify existing service gaps, barriers to access, and potential strategies for enhancing program delivery. By providing a focused analysis within the Indonesian context, this research contributes to the broader discourse on youth-centered health policy and the development of culturally sensitive, evidence-based

The findings of this study highlight a multifaceted yet uneven landscape of adolescent sexual health promotion in Indonesia, characterized by a mix of promising strategies such as youth-friendly health services, formal education, and community-based interventions which is each shaped by unique opportunities and constraints (Table 1). These findings echo prior studies that emphasize the need for accessible, comprehensive, and culturally attuned services for adolescents (8, 2). As indicated in other research, youth-friendly services play a pivotal role in facilitating health-seeking behavior among teenagers, particularly when health workers are adequately trained and facilities are welcoming (14).However, such services remain inconsistently implemented across regions, reflecting broader systemic issues of decentralization and limited inter-sectoral coordination.School-based sex education, as supported remains one of the most scalable and impactful channels for improving adolescents' knowledge and protective behaviors. Nevertheless, its reach and effectiveness in Indonesia are often constrained by local resistance, unclear curricular mandates, and a lack of teacher training. Peer education, as discussed inPermatasari D(2021)(13), offers an alternative model by leveraging adolescents' social networks to diffuse information in relatable ways. However, the sustainability of these programs is undermined by high turnover among peer educators, lack of institutional support, and limitedme hanisms for program monitoring and quality assurance. In many cases, once pilot funding or NGO support ceases, these initiatives fail to integrate into existing school or community structures, pointing to a critical need for stronger ownership and capacity-building at the local level.Despite these strengths, access to services continues to face structural and sociocultural barriers. Consistent with Sidamo N(2024)(11)andEllin M(2024)(15),entrenched norms around gender, sexuality, and adolescent autonomy, especially in conservative or rural communities, contribute to stigma and low parental support. These barriers are further reinforced by fragmented policy environments that fail to present a unified stance on adolescent sexual health. While some local governments embrace progressive health promotion efforts, others adopt restrictive interpretations of national guidance, leading to stark regional disparities Religious values, often perceived as barriers, also present complex opportunities. As Ashriady A(2024)(20)suggests, when religious leaders are engaged as advocates, they can play a pivotal role in framing reproductive health as part of moral and community well-being. Yet such engagement requires