Review on Public Health Services among School-Going Adolescents in Kerala

Abstract

Background: Global investment in adolescent health is crucial. Adolescents aged 10-19 years constitute around one sixth of the world’s population, account for 6% of the global burden of disease and injury, and suffer over 1.2 million deaths each year. India is home to 253 million adolescents, accounting for 20.9% of the country’s population. Methods: The study was cross sectional and implemented in government and government aided schools in central Kerala, Pathanamthitta district. Study assessed the public health services availed in the type of schools. Total 869 schools going adolescent selected from class 5th to 12th standard and the age group between 10-18 years across the 20 schools among government and government aided school in rural, urban and semi-urban areas. Selected random sample of 50 respondents in each classes and self-administrated questionnaire were distributed. Result: Public health services provided by schools to the adolescents were studied and it was revealed that 86.8 % of adolescents were provided with iron tablets, 91.7% de-worming completed. School authorities were not engaging students in anaemia education and less than half 44.6%. 27.9% had their blood test done last five years. Two-third of the students 59.1% said that there were timely health visits by the health professionals. On account of supplementary nutrition 48.2% agreed on proper supply of cooked food within the school, Moreover 70% girls said anthropometric measurements were taken during health visits. Conclusion: The study found the need to improve adolescent public health services periodic health check-up, strengthening the school monitoring system to ensure the health, nutrition and wellbeing in largely to the aided and governments schools. Priority has to be given for improving mental health, knowledge about contraception and school retention.