Common Heal Problems of Adolescents in Dehradun

Background: Health problems of adolescents are very different from those of younger children and older adults. Due to lack of accurate information and proper guidance, adolescents are prone to various general morbidities along with behavioral and reproductive health problems. We need to study the health problems of adolescents because they face significant problems and risk related to their healthy development. The increasing focus on adolescent health will help in the development of preventive, promotive and curative adolescent health programme in the community.
Objective: To find out the common health problems of adolescents.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Doiwala Block, District Dehradun (Uttarakhand). The study group comprised of 840 adolescents, selected by multistage stratified random sampling. Data was collected on a pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire by interviewing the adolescents and by conducting their thorough examination which was subsequently analyzed by using suitable statistical package.
Results: Generalized weakness was found to be maximum among adolescent girls i.e., 29.5%. Defective vision in adolescent boys and girls was found to be 15.2% and 16.4% respectively. Dental caries was found to be maximum in adolescent boys (14.8%). Adolescent girls had relatively maximum morbidities per morbid case (1.9).
Conclusions: A holistic approach to underlying causes of problems of adolescents should be undertaken. There is need of strengthening the existing "package" of services for adolescents in various initiatives and programmes.