Adolescent health issues: The role of publich health nurses

Abstract

Adolescent health (AH) is an integral part of public health with the goal of improving the healthy development, safety, and well-being of adolescents because the behavioral patterns established during this period influence the health status of the adolescents and the risk of developing chronic diseases during adulthood. Adolescence being a time of great physical and psychological change, many social and physical conditions as well as behavioral pattern can impact AH and heighten the risk of illness and diseases. This makes adolescents to be susceptible to various health issues by nature because of their stages of development, which affects their ability to make safe decisions, and the need to rely on significant others for support. Other factors like desire for greater autonomy, pressure to conform to peers, exploration of sexual identity, increased access to and use of technology, violence and sexual abuse, social and cultural norms, family circumstances, emotional and physical environment of the adolescents contribute significantly to adolescents' health issues. Therefore, nurses have significant roles to play to ensure optimal growth and development of the adolescents and to prevent and reduce the impact of changes associated with adolescence on the health and well-being of the adolescents. This article presents the concept of adolescence, components of AH, health-related challenges associated with adolescence, and role of public health nurses.