96 Physical and psychosocial health status of adolescent school going girls in rural western Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

<h3>Aims</h3> According to WHO, adolescents are the young people aged between 10 to 19 years. About 21% (243 million) of Indian population is adolescents. The physical and psychosocial health of an adolescent determines the health status in his/her adulthood. Many serious diseases in adulthood have their roots in adolescence. It is a transitional stage of physical and psychological development from puberty to legal adulthood. Health needs of adolescents require special attention from the family, community and the society. The prime objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of common physical and psychosocial health morbidities in school going adolescent girls of rural western Uttar Pradesh. <h3>Methods</h3> A cross sectional study conducted over two years (2018-2020), by the Department of Pediatrics at tertiary healthcare centre. One thousands adolescent (10-19 years) girls from twelve schools situated in nearby districts around 25km from hospital were included. Detailed history and physical assessment was done as per Performa. Self-administered structured questionnaire was used for data collection from each participant. The questionnaire for psychosocial issues included questions on depression was assessed by using Hamilton scale of depression and anxious behaviour was assessed using Hamilton scale of anxiety, shuttering and substance abuse. <h3>Results</h3> The study comprised of 1000 adolescents (aged 10-19 years) school girls, of which 37.1%, 25.5% and 37.4% of the subjects belonged to 10-14, 15-17 and 18-19 year of age group respectively. Majority of the girls were from Hindu religion (80.3%). Almost two-third (67.6%) girls were studying in private school and 32.4% of total girls in government school. Of total girls, 19.2% were found underweight and 10.4% were overweight. Mild to moderate anaemia was detected in 58.6% of adolescent girls. 2.6% of the girls were found in pre-hypertensive stage. Menstrual problem was reported in 26.8% in which most common was dysmenorrhea (13.7%). Visual field defects were found in 12.3% and hearing problem was reported in 1.7% of girls which was mostly conductive type. Acne, dandruff, hirsutism and others infections was found among 13%, 4.6%, 4.1% and 2.3% of the girls respectively. Anxiety prevalence was 1.2% and 5.2% girls were found in depressed mood. Stuttering was reported among 0.9% of the girls. Prevalence of smoking, alcohol and substance abuse was found nil in our study in rural area of western Uttar Pradesh. <h3>Conclusion</h3> In developing country like India due to poverty and prevailing socio-cultural milieu a substantial number of school children from paediatric age to adolescents suffer from various diseases which can be prevented if diagnosed and treated early and preventive measures taken in time. School health screening is an important aspect of any community health programme. A multidimensional approach covering all health problems in needed. Mass Screening in schools could be an effective tool to control the existing disease and to prevent occurrence of any new diseases. Adolescent girl’s health should be at utmost care as healthy adolescent girl decreases maternal morbidity and mortality which further result in decreasing neonatal mortality, thus reducing great burden on our healthcare system.