Comparative study on morbidity pattern among adolescent schoolgirls in rural and urban school of Jhansi

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) proposed that the age limit of 10–19 years be used to identify as the adolescent age. According to the WHO, adolescents constitute about one-fifth of the world population, and in India, they constitute about 21% of the total population. Most of the surveys show that health status of adolescent girls is at suboptimal level. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess nutritional status and morbidity pattern among the adolescent girls and to suggest measures for the improvement of health status of adolescent girls. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 adolescent schoolgirls in rural and urban field practice area of Jhansi school from January 2017 to July 2014. Results: Among the various morbidities, eye problem was seen in maximum number of adolescent girls. Eye problem was present in 44.8% of adolescent girls followed by respiratory 14.7% and ear 13.06% disease. Skin disease was present in 3.2% of adolescent girls, which was more in rural girls 6.7% than in urban girls 1.7%, may be due to better hygienic practice in urban schoolgirls. Conclusion: Rural background, low socioeconomic status, illiteracy, birth rate and order, income, and number of members in a family have shown to be significant determinants of morbidity pattern in the adolescent girls.