A study of adolescent health problems in a rural school in Thiruvanthapuram district, Kerala, India

Authors

  • Nazeema Beevi P. Department of Community Medicine, Sree Gokulam Medical College & Research Foundation, Venjaramoodu, Kerala, India
  • Manju L. Department of Community Medicine, Sree Gokulam Medical College & Research Foundation, Venjaramoodu, Kerala, India
  • Anil Bindhu Department of Community Medicine, Sree Gokulam Medical College & Research Foundation, Venjaramoodu, Kerala, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20164719

Keywords:

Adolescents, Hypertension, Obesity, Premenstrual symptoms

Abstract

Background: Adolescence is a period of transition from childhood to adulthood. As adolescents are less vulnerable to diseases than the children, health problems specific to this group is given less importance. Their emotional problems are little noticed by the parents.

Methods:A cross sectional study was conducted in a rural government higher secondary school, Kilimanoor during November 2013. 10th and 11th class students (110 girls and 107 boys) were interviewed with the help of a pretested questionnaire.

Results: A total of 217 students in the age group of 15-17 years were studied. Obesity was found in 2.8% of students. 45.6% falls under normal category and the rest 51.6% were in the underweight category. Hypertension was observed only in males i.e. 4.2%. 24.4% were in the pre hypertensive group. Systolic BP is correlated with BMI (r = 0.270, p-value <0.001). The prevalence of hypertension and pre hypertension in males are 8.4% and 30.8% respectively, whereas none of the females are hypertensive and 18.2% are in pre hypertensive group. Among the 106 girls, the prevalence of premenstrual symptoms is 83%. Among the 107 boys it was found that 13.0% students smoked cigarettes and 15.8% had consumed alcohol at this age. 11.2% students reported that they have both these habits.

Conclusions:This study brought out the problems of malnutrition both under nutrition and over nutrition so also the prevalence of hypertension and pre hypertension among adolescents which are going to be serious health problems in future. 

Downloads

Published

2016-12-21

How to Cite

P., N. B., L., M., & Bindhu, A. (2016). A study of adolescent health problems in a rural school in Thiruvanthapuram district, Kerala, India. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 4(1), 100–103. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20164719

Issue

Section

Original Research Articles