Medical and psychosocial health status of adolescent school going girls

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate medical and psychosocial health status of adolescent school going girls. Material and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the Christian Medical College, Ludhiana from February 2017 to January 2019. The study group was consisted of 1000 adolescent girls of school aged 10-19 yrs in rural Ludhiana. Children were screened for any of adolescent morbidity based on questionnaire. The patients were interviewed that requests for the demographic, socioeconomic status, medical history and previous history of taking any medications and supplements. Girl’s socioeconomic status were classified according to Kuppuswamy scale. For skin related disease dermatologist was considered. Dental caries, dental staining and brushing habits were recorded based upon the examination. Informed pertaining to psychosocial morbidities were recorded i.e. depression, anxiety, stuttering and psychosomatic symptoms. Results: 37.1% girls belong to 10-14yr age group, likewise 25.5% to 15-17yrs and 37.4% to 18-19yr age group. Majority of girls (99.6%) attained menarche after 12yrs of age and dysmenorrhea (12.8%) was reported to be the most common menstrual problem among girls; majority of girls were using sanitary pads for menstrual hygiene purpose. In hearing assessment about 1.7% of girls were found in having hearing difficulty. 35.1% of girls were suffering from dental caries; dental staining was present in 15.8% of girls. Acne was the commonest skin problem (13%).5.2% of girls were found to be in depressed mood, 1.2% of total girls were anxious and stuttering was reported in 0.9% of total girls. Conclusion: To achieve wholesome adolescent health, we need to have a multidimensional approach covering all the adolescent health problems with special emphasis on mental health, behaviour change communication towards healthy lifestyle and positive social environment to acquire life skills.