Adolescent Health Concerns, Problems, and Patterns of Utilization in a Triethnic Urban Population

Abstract

All aspects of health (concerns, perceived adequacy of knowledge, problems, sources of care, and utilization of health care resources) were significantly influenced by the ethnic background, grade level, or sex of the 3,255 high school students surveyed in an urban triethnic community of 65,000. Variation in needs was not consistent for any one ethnic group, sex, or age group. The highest ranked concerns and problems were school, drugs, sex, getting along with parents and adults, acne, depression, and overweight. Ninety-one percent reported they often or sometimes worry about their health. Sources of medical care were family physician (56.8%) and hospital emergency room (15.9%). Reported visits in the past year were none (27.5%); one (24.1%); two to three (32.2%); and four or more (14.7%). In analyzing responses according to sex, grade, and ethnic background, several implications are apparent: (1) many of the concerns and problems identified require educational as well as health care services; (2) the diverse perceived health needs of an entire high school population indicate that the traditional one-semester general health course for all is grossly inadequate; and (3) students' concerns and problems are not limited to the areas of drugs, venereal disease, and unwanted pregnancy. The study is presented as a model for the needs assessment phase of planning and delivering adolescent health care and health education services for a community.