School-going Adolescents Research Articles

The Prevalence of Stress, Anxiety and Depression Among School Going Adolescents Following Covid Pandemic

Background: COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown which were its consequences have resulted in both short-term and long-term implications in mental health of adolescents. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among students in the post-COVID period and its risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 students studying grades 9–12 in government high schools and higher secondary schools in a city in South India in October and November 2021. A self-administered questionnaire containing socio-demographic data and DASS-21 scale was used. The outcome variable, namely prevalence of stress, anxiety and depression was expressed in proportion with a 95% confidence interval. The relation between an outcome variable and socio-demographic variables was determined by a chi-square test and p value <.05 was considered significant. Results: Mean (standard deviation) age was 15.76 (1.104) years and 50.7% were boys. The prevalence (95% confidence interval) of stress, anxiety and depression were 30.3% (25.18–35.88), 47.3% (41.57–53.15) and 56.7% (50.85–62.35), respectively. Maternal illiteracy was significantly associated with stress and depression ( p < .5). Conclusion: Consequent to the COVID-19 pandemic, almost one-third of school-going adolescents aged 14–18 years’ experience stress and almost half of them experience anxiety and depression which is comparable to that observed before the onset of this pandemic.

Prevalence of anemia among school going adolescents in Thiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu

Background: Nutritional anemia, with iron-deficiency anemia as the most prevalent type, is a pressing global health concern, impacting two billion people worldwide. Among vulnerable groups, school-going adolescents aged 10 to 17 years require special attention due to the critical phase of growth and development during this period. This study aims to assess the prevalence of anemia and its association with sociodemographic factors among adolescents in Thiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 900 adolescent girls, utilizing a multistage sampling technique. Hemoglobin levels were measured using one-touch blood sampling, and physical examinations were performed by trained healthcare professionals. A structured questionnaire collected sociodemographic information, dietary habits, and lifestyle factors. Results: The study revealed a concerning prevalence of anemia, with 60% of the participants affected. Among these, 41.3% experienced moderate anemia, while 18.4% had mild anemia, and 0.4% had severe anemia. A significant correlation was observed between anemia prevalence and low socio-economic status among the participants. Conclusions: The high prevalence of anemia among adolescent girls in Thiruvallur district underscores the urgency of targeted interventions and public health initiatives to address this critical health issue. Improving nutrition, healthcare access, and socio-economic conditions are crucial steps in combating anemia's impact on school-going adolescents. Collaborative efforts from policymakers, healthcare providers, and community organizations are essential in eradicating nutritional anemia and enhancing the health and prospects of adolescents in the studied region.

Exploring factors influencing attitudes toward premarital sex among Thai adolescents: a quantitative analysis

In Thai society, teenagers having sex before marriage is often avoided as it is considered forbidden. Nonetheless, it is widely believed that young people are becoming more sexually active before marriage. This study aimed to determine factors associated with attitudes toward premarital sex among Thai adolescents. Secondary data was used and drawn from the 2011 Survey on Conditions of Society and Culture by the National Statistical Office Thailand. The total study population was 674 Thai adolescents, comprising 364 younger adolescents aged 13–16 and 310 older adolescents aged 17–19. Three-quarters of the sample were school-going students. The analysis used Pearson chi-square and binary logistic regression. The results found that age, gender, education status, and acceptance toward sexual behaviors had a significant association with attitude toward premarital sex with those under 15 years old (p < .05). The probability of agreement with premarital sex was highly associated with the acceptance of open sexual behavior. However, older age groups and school-going adolescents had less likelihood of agreeing with premarital sex when compared with younger and out-of-school groups. Female adolescents had less probability of agreeing with premarital sex than males. In conclusion, accepting open sexual behavior is at risk of agreeing with premarital sex, but education programs in school may protect them from it. To provide knowledge and prevent the risk of premature sexual activity, sexual health should be promoted, including the appropriate sexual value, in primary school programs. In addition, the government should encourage sexual health through social activities for out-of-school adolescents.

Exploring the Nexus of Mobile Gaming Habits, Interpersonal Relations and Demographics: A Study on School-Going Adolescents

Abstract: In an era defined by technological immersion, the prevalence of mobile gaming habits among adolescents has become a significant area of inquiry. The present study examined mobile gaming habits among school going adolescents in relation to interpersonal relations and demographic variables on a sample of 800 students of four districts of Punjab. Mobile gaming habits and Interpersonal relations of adolescents were measured by self-constructed tools. Results revealed the negative relationship between mobile gaming habits and interpersonal relations of school going adolescents across gender, age and type of family. This study contributes to the broader understanding of the digital landscape influence on interpersonal relations of adolescents. It highlights the need for a balanced approach in harnessing the potential benefits of mobile gaming while mitigating its potential negative impacts. Educators, parents, and policymakers can draw upon these findings to foster an environment where technology is integrated thoughtfully, enhancing interpersonal relations and holistic development.

Clustering of health risk behaviors among school-going adolescents in Mymensingh district, Bangladesh

BackgroundAdolescents frequently engage in risky behaviors that negatively influence their health and pose a serious public health concern. This study aimed to examine the clustering pattern of health risk behaviors among school-going adolescents in Bangladesh.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from 15 April to 27 June 2022 among 412 school-going adolescents in Mymensingh district of Bangladesh through a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using a modified Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) 2021 questionnaire. Cluster membership was identified using the k-means clustering algorithm. The chi-square test was adopted to explore the association between sociodemographic variables and each cluster membership. The ordinal logistic regression model was employed to examine the predictors associated with cluster membership.ResultsMost of the respondents were female (55.3%) and belonged to the 16-19 years (74.5%) age group. Three behavioral clusters were identified, including Cluster 1: Low-risk taker (50.2%), Cluster 2: Moderate risk taker (39.6%), and Cluster 3: High-risk taker (10.2%). Influential factors of high-risk behavior among adolescents were significantly associated with their age (p = 0.03), father’s education who were illiterate (p = 0.02), monthly family income >30000 BDT (p = 0.04), parent’s those were understanding their child’s problems in most of the time (p = 0.001).ConclusionsThe study found that high-risk behaviors are significantly higher among late adolescents, those whose fathers are illiterate, whose monthly income is higher, those whose parents or guardians never realize their child's complications and worries, and those whose parents or guardians never recognize what they did in their leisure time. These findings will help to develop intervention programs, policies, strategies, and curricula in school by the experts following the necessity to adopt the adolescent toward healthy behavior and help to reduce the prevalence of health risk behavior.

A cross-country qualitative analysis of teachers’ perceptions of asthma care in sub-Saharan Africa

Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease among school-going adolescents worldwide. However, the burden of severe asthma is highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to explore teachers’ perceptions of asthma care across six African countries. We conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. FGDs were conducted in Kumasi(Ghana), Blantyre (Malawi), Lagos (Nigeria), Durban (South Africa), Kampala (Uganda), and Harare (Zimbabwe) between 01 November 2020 and 30 June 2021. We identified two key themes related to asthma care; barriers to asthma care and suggestions to improve the care of adolescents with asthma. Barriers reported by teachers included a lack of knowledge and skills among themselves, adolescents, and caregivers. In addition, some traditional beliefs of teachers on asthma exacerbated challenges with asthma care in schools. Regarding suggestions, most teachers identified a need for all-inclusive asthma training programmes for teachers, adolescents and caregivers, focusing on acute episodes and mitigating triggers. Utilising teachers with personal experiences with asthma to advocate and support these initiatives was suggested. Further suggestions included the need for annual screening to enable early identification of adolescents with asthma and clarify restrictions on teachers administering asthma medications. Teachers across African schools identify multiple barriers to asthma care. Structured school education programs and annual asthma screening are key to addressing some barriers to care.

COVID-19 vaccine uptake and associated factors among adolescents and youths: Findings and implications for future vaccination programmes.

Adolescents and youths are a key part of the population that needs to be protected against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This is because they are more likely to spread the virus to vulnerable individuals. In view of these concerns, this study investigated the uptake of COVID-19 vaccines and associated factors among adolescents and youths attending secondary schools in Zambia. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 1500 school-going adolescents in Lusaka from September 2022 to November 2022. Overall, 1409 participants took part giving a response rate of 94%. Only 29.2% (n = 411) of the participants were vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of the study. Compared to their unvaccinated counterparts, vaccinated adolescents and youths scored higher for knowledge (66.2% vs 57.8%) and attitudes (76.7% vs 39.4%) regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Healthcare workers, family/friends and social media were key sources of information regarding the vaccine. Factors associated with increased vaccine uptake were positive attitudes (AOR = 33.62, 95% CI: 19.92-56.73), indicating it was stressful to follow COVID-19 preventive measures (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.09-1.99), participants in Grade 12 (AOR = 3.39, 95% CI: 1.94-5.91), Grade 11 (AOR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.94-5.91), Grade 10 (AOR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.98-6.11) and Grade 9 (AOR = 3.04, 95% CI: 1.74-5.32) compared to Grade 8. This study found a relatively low uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among adolescents and youths in Zambia. There is a need to provide adequate strategies to address knowledge and attitude gaps regarding COVID-19 vaccines to improve uptake and reduce future morbidity and mortality.

Depression and self-esteem among Afghan school-going adolescents under the Taliban Government: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundDuring the period of adolescence, several major developmental changes occur that can have significant impact on an individual’s brain structure and functioning through their entire life.AimsThe present study aimed to examine the association between depression and self-esteem alongside specific sociodemographic factors among school-going adolescents living under the rule of Taliban.MethodsA cross-sectional survey study was conducted with adolescents (n = 452) from 20 randomly selected public primary, secondary and high schools of Herat province (Afghanistan) out of the 86 schools registered in Herat Education Department. The survey included the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) and Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale (RSES).ResultsTwo-thirds of adolescents reported depression symptoms (65.3%) and 86.3% reported poor self-esteem. Multiple regression analysis indicated that (i) mother's education level was significantly associated with depression symptoms and (ii) low-income economic status was significantly associated with self-esteem.ConclusionAs well as being one of the few studies in Afghanistan, the present study is one of the very few to assess the association between class group, self-esteem, and depression symptoms. These findings may be used by healthcare authorities and school administrators to raise awareness and implement strategies to facilitate self-esteem among school school-going adolescents.

Factors associated with anemia among school-going adolescents aged 10–17 years in Zanzibar, Tanzania: a cross sectional study

BackgroundAnemia among adolescents (ages 10–19 years) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries and carries long-term health and economic consequences. To address the issue, policymakers and programmers require evidence of the burden of anemia among adolescents in specific contexts, as well as an understanding of the factors associated with anemia in this population.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey as a baseline assessment to determine the prevalence and factors associated with anemia in secondary school students, as part of a cluster-randomized effectiveness trial testing different micronutrient supplementation strategies in addressing anemia among adolescents in Zanzibar. Between March 7th to 25th, 2022 the survey was conducted on 2,479 school-going adolescents aged 10–17 years from 42 schools on the island of Zanzibar, Tanzania. Hemoglobin concentration was measured along with the collection of socio-demographics, health, food frequency, and water, sanitation and hygiene data.ResultsBased on the World Health Organization cutoffs for anemia, 53.3% of the sample had anemia (mild, moderate, or severe). Using chi-square tests and logistic regressions, we determined that females had higher odds of anemia than males (Adjusted OR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.24, 1.74), those in the highest wealth quintile had lower odds of anemia than those in the lowest wealth quintile (Adjusted OR = 0.7; CI: 0.54, 0.91), stunted adolescents had higher odds of anemia than non-stunted students (Adjusted OR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.06,1.81), and those who used shared toilets had higher odds of moderate or severe anemia than those with private toilet access (Adjusted OR = 1.68; CI: 1.07, 2.64).ConclusionsThe high prevalence of anemia in this sample indicates an urgent need to address anemia among adolescents in Zanzibar, and the factors associated with anemia point to the importance of water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions in addition to dietary and nutritional support.Trial RegistrationNCT05104554, registered 03/11/2021.

Association between food insecurity and depressive symptoms among adolescents aged 12-15 years from 22 low- and middle-income countries

Food insecurity may be a risk factor for depression in adolescents. However, data on this topic from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are scarce, despite food insecurity being most common in LMICs. Therefore, we aimed to examine the association between food-insecurity and depressive symptoms among school-going adolescents from 22 LMICs.Cross-sectional data from the Global school-based Student Health Survey were analyzed. Self-report measures assessed past 12-month depressive symptoms and past 30-day food insecurity (hunger). Multivariable logistic regression and meta-analysis were conducted to assess associations.Data on 48,401 adolescents aged 12–15 years were analyzed [mean (SD) age 13.8 (0.9) years; 51.4 % females]. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 29.3 %, and those of moderate and severe food insecurity were 45.0 and 6.3 %, respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders, compared to no food insecurity, the pooled OR (95 %CI) of moderate and severe food insecurity were 1.36 (1.30–1.42) and 1.81 (1.67–1.97), respectively. The level of between-country heterogeneity was low.Food insecurity was associated with significantly higher odds for depressive symptoms among adolescents in LMICs. Policies to address food insecurity may also help prevent depression in this population, pending future longitudinal research.

Problematic social media use and overweight/obesity: explanatory pathway analysis of 124 667 in-school adolescents in 39 high-income countries.

The relationship between adolescent problematic social media use (PSMU) and overweight/obesity and the potential explanatory pathways for this association are unclear. This study (1) examined the relationship between PSMU and overweight/obesity and (2) evaluated potential explanatory pathways for this association. The data used in this study came from the 2018 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey. A sample of 124 667 in-school adolescents from 39 high-income countries was analysed. Sequential logistic regressions were used to estimate the association between PSMU and overweight/obesity. Pathway analysis using a non-parametric bootstrapping technique tested the hypothesized mediating roles. The multivariable logistic regressions indicated that higher problematic social media users were 1.11 times more likely to be overweight/obese compared with those who reported low PSMU (AOR = 1.11; 95% CI = 1.05-1.18). Our bootstrapping mediation analyses showed that PSMU indirectly influenced overweight/obesity through breakfast skipping, life satisfaction, family communication, self-rated health, and physical activity, accounting for 19.8% (β = 0.0068, Boots 95% CI = 0.0056-0.0074), 15.1% (β = 0.0050, Boots 95% CI = 0.0046-0.0056), 9.2% (β = 0.0031, Boots 95% CI = 0.0024-0.0038), 7.8% (β = 0.0024, Boots 95% CI = 0.001-0.004), and 5.2% (β = 0.0017, Boots 95% CI = 0.0014-0.0023), respectively, of the total effect. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that used nationally representative data from multiple countries in high-income countries to examine the association between PSMU and overweight/obesity and potential explanatory pathways among school-going adolescents. This finding has important implications for public health interventions to reduce overweight/obesity rates among young people.

Analyzing LGB-based school bullying among senior phase learners in South Africa

Purpose: Despite LGB recognition, recent literature and news reports have evidenced the existence of LGB-based school bullying among school-going adolescents. Through this, learners experience calamities such as anxiety, insecurity, poor academic performance, and even suicide. For this reason, this study investigates the limitations of schools in combating LGB-based school bullying and determines methods to combat LGB-based school bullying.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: This qualitative study was lensed through Social Stigma Theory (SST) and the Anti-bias Education Approach (ABEA), adopting a constructivist paradigm and a case study design. To elicit descriptive data from the participants, in-depth interviews were conducted with 9 purposefully sampled participants, including 4 senior phase teachers (grades 8 & 9), 2 lesbian females, and 3 gay senior phase learners. Researchers utilized Braun and Clarke’s six steps of thematic analysis to make sense of the data.
 Findings: This study revealed a number of barriers that prevent schools from addressing bullying that is based on LGB among students in the senior phase. These include uneducated and unsupportive professors, the lack of recognition of LGB, adherence to religion, vague and nonexistent claims of bullying based on LGB, and the use of the same facilities as students who are heterosexual. This study also revealed that avoiding gender disclosure, creating awareness about gender diversity, providing bathrooms for LGB learners, and following up on LGB- based bullying cases are methods that can be practiced to combat LGB-based school bullying.
 Conclusion: This study concludes by recommending frequent dialogues about LGB among learners and teachers to familiarize themselves with its existence.
 Research Implications: The study identified the need for schools to combat LGB-based school bullying.
 Practical Implications: The study recommends open dialogues on gender diversity, discourages LGB-based bullying, empowers teachers to intervene, and promotes confidence in LGB-based learners.
 Contribution to Literature: This research contributes to the body of knowledge by identifying and addressing the unique challenges associated with LGB-based school bullying.

Lifestyle Risk Behaviours and Nutritional Status Associated with Mental Health Problems among Myanmar Adolescents: Secondary Analysis of a Nationwide 2016 School Survey.

Engaging in unhealthy lifestyles may be considered a risk factor for mental health problems, but there is limited evidence. This study aimed to identify the relationship between unhealthy lifestyles and mental health problems among Myanmar school-going adolescents. Global School Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) data from 2838 school-going adolescents from Myanmar were analysed. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied. After adjusting for confounding variables, adolescents who were seated for more than three hours per day had higher odds of loneliness, anxiety-induced sleep disturbance, suicide ideation, and suicide attempts compared to others. Moreover, students who ate fruit less than one time per day were more likely to experience anxiety-induced sleep disturbance and suicidal ideation. Being a current drinker was significantly associated with suicidal ideation and attempt. Obese students were more likely to feel lonely compared to normal weight students. Our study indicates there is a strong association between unhealthy lifestyle behaviours and mental health problems among school adolescents in Myanmar.

Suicidal behaviours among school-going adolescents in samoa: a secondary analysis of prevalence, protective, and risk factors

BackgroundSuicide has become a major threat to achieving Sustainable Development Goals three and four, especially for school-going adolescents worldwide. As part of efforts to prevent suicide, population-based studies regarding the prevalence and variables that predict suicidal behaviours are required to inform decisions. Despite this realisation, Samoa lacks empirical data on suicidal behaviours among adolescents. We conducted a secondary analysis of the 2017 Global School-based Student Health Survey to examine the prevalence of suicidal behaviours (idea, plan, and attempt) of school-going adolescents in Samoa.ResultsThe prevalence of suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt was 24.1%, 23.8%, and 21.8%, respectively. Also, we found that having understanding parents was an important protective factor against all three suicidal behaviours among Samoan in-school adolescents. Suicidal ideation was predicted by cigarette smoking, having someone who smokes in adolescents’ presence, bullying, loneliness, and worrying about things they could not study. Also, cigarette smoking, bullying, having multiple sexual partners, and worrying increased the risk of having suicidal plans. Again, adolescents’ suicidal attempt was predicted by adolescent truancy, alcohol use, cigarette smoking, being bullied, having close friends, loneliness, and worry.ConclusionsRather than focusing on the school setting alone, suicide prevention interventions in Samoa should foster interdisciplinary collaborations to help reduce suicide.

Prevalence and Correlates of Depression Among School-Going Adolescents in the Urban Schools of Central India: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Adolescence is defined as the phase of development that occurs between childhood and adulthood. Presently in India, 243 million populations are staring at the crossroads of transition from childhood to adulthood. Physical, emotional, and social issues unique to this age group make them vulnerable to various mental problems. So, we conducted this study to quantify the current burden of depression in adolescents and its possible causes. The present community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the middle and late adolescent participants aged 14-19 years from 52 sections (clusters) of 9th to 12thclasses comprising a total of 1412 students with a multistage cluster sampling method. In total four sections (clusters), and one participant of class9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th were chosen from 13 preselected schools. The questionnaire consisted of socio-demographic details, screen time, physical activity, etc., and the DASS-42 scale was used to determine the prevalence of depression. Results: We found that the prevalence of depression in our study participants was around 39%. It was classified as 16.9%, 16.7%, 5.1%, and 0.5% participants respectively having mild, moderate, severe, and extremely severe depression. Mother's education was a statistically significant determinantfor depression among these adolescents. The study concludes that the prevalence of depression (including mild, moderate, severe, or very severe) among school-going adolescents is 39%.We hereby recommend that a holistic approach should be followed involving parents and teachers with the help of school counselors to tackle and curbthis problem.

Utility for Uncorrected Refractive Errors in Adolescent Schoolchildren in Kakamega County, Kenya.

Uncorrected refractive errors (UREs) present an enormous lifetime burden in children. Despite this, there is a dearth of knowledge on URE-related preference-based quality of life (QoL) in East Africa. This study demonstrates the positive impact of interventions on UREs; hence, it provides an empirical justification for advocacy to improve the QoL of children with URE. This study investigated the preference-based QoL (utility) for URE in school-going adolescents of Kakamega County, in Kenya. An observational cross-sectional study with multistage sampling was conducted on randomly selected secondary school adolescents. School-going adolescents in Forms 1 to 4 were clinically examined for the presence of URE and classified according to their URE types. Pre-screened students who met the selection criteria were classified into two groups: URE and normal sight. Participants in the normal-sight group were randomly selected from among screened students without URE. Selected participants were administered a previously validated adolescent-specific utility weighting instrument-Assessment of Quality of Life-Six Dimensions. A total of 330 participants aged 17.32 ± 1.60 years (URE, 17.50 ± 1.58 years; normal-sight, 17.15 ± 1.61 years) were included in the study. The mean utility score, as elicited by the Assessment of Quality of Life-Six Dimensions scoring algorithm, was better in the normal-sight group (URE, 0.496 ± 0.22; normal sight, 0.567 ± 0.25) at baseline, whereas the reverse was true at follow-up (URE, 0.655 ± 0.20; normal sight, 0.603 ± 0.25). In all cases, the differences were significant ( P < .05); however, there was no significantly better ( P > .05) utility elicited by any URE subtype at any given time point. Nonetheless, the URE group showed significantly better utility ( P < .05) after spectacle correction. Uncorrected refractive errors are associated with reduced utility in school-going adolescents, regardless of URE subtype. Spectacle correction resulted in a significantly improved utility for those with URE. Thus, this study recommends early public health strategies and spectacle interventions in schools for adolescents with URE.

Testing pathways to scale: study protocol for a three-arm randomized controlled trial of a centralized and a decentralized (“Train the Trainers”) dissemination of a mental health program for Kenyan adolescents

BackgroundProviding care in Kenya to all youth in need is difficult because of a shortage of professional providers and societal stigma. Previous trials of the Anansi model, which involves delivering low-touch mental health interventions through a tiered caregiving model (including lay-providers, supervisors, and clinical experts), have shown its effectiveness for reducing depression and anxiety symptoms in school-going Kenyan adolescents. In this trial, we aim to assess two different scale-up strategies by comparing centralized implementation (i.e., by the organization that designed the Anansi model) against implementation through an implementing partner.MethodsIn this three-arm trial, 1600 adolescents aged 13 to 20 years will be randomized to receive the Shamiri intervention from either the Shamiri Institute or an implementation partner or to be placed in the treatment as usual (TAU) control group. The implementation partner will be trained and supplied with protocols to ensure that the same procedures are followed by both implementors. Implementation activities will run concurrently for both implementors. The Shamiri intervention will be delivered by trained lay providers to groups of 10–15 adolescents over four weekly sessions which will take place in secondary schools in Machakos and Makueni counties in Kenya. The TAU group will receive the usual care offered by their respective schools. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, midpoint (2 weeks), endpoint (4 weeks), and 1 month follow-up. The analysis will be based on an intent-to-treat approach. Mixed effects models will be used to assess trajectories over time of the primary outcomes (anxiety and depressive symptoms, mental well-being, perceived social support, and academic performance) and secondary outcomes for the intervention groups and the control group. Effect sizes will be computed for the mean differences of the intervention and control arms at midpoint, endpoint, and follow-up.DiscussionThis trial will provide insight into the comparative effectiveness of different strategies for scaling a school-based mental health care model. Findings will also indicate areas for improved efficiency of the model to enhance its replicability by other implementors.Trial registrationPan African Clinical Trials Registry (PACTR) (ID: PACTR202305589854478, Approved: 02/05/2023).

Prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among school-going adolescents in the age group of 13–19 years

BackgroundAdolescent mental health problems are vast and varied and early identification and intervention can be of utmost help. There is sparse data on mental health issues in the adolescent population from India in general and J&K in particular; thus, it was decided to embark on this study.ResultsThe prevalence of various psychiatric disorders among school-going adolescents was as major depressive disorder 13.7%, obsessive compulsive disorder 4.0%, panic disorder 1.4%, self-harming behavior 2.5%, generalized anxiety disorder 2.5%, social anxiety disorder 2.2%, dysthymia 1.7%, and adjustment disorder 0.8%. There was no statistically significant difference in the overall psychiatric morbidity group among males and females (P = 0.90). However, panic disorder and borderline personality disorder as a group were more commonly found among females compared to males (P = 0.016 and 0.001 respectively). Also, 34% from urban and 28% from rural areas met the criteria for any psychiatric disorder (P = 1.38).ConclusionChildren and adolescents represent a tender part of the human life cycle and they may be at a higher risk of psychiatric disorders. There is a very high prevalence of psychiatric morbidity of any kind among adolescents in Kashmir, many of which are unidentified and thus untreated. Depression is the most common psychiatric illness among adolescents with a higher prevalence in males while anxiety disorders are more common among females. There is a need for further research in this age group and teachers and parents need psycho-education for the identification of such children.

Prevalence of Mental Health Problems among School-going Adolescents in Melmaruvathur: An Observational Study

Introduction: Around 2.2 billion of the world's population are children and adolescents. Ninety percentage live in low-and middle-income countries, where they make up 30%–50% of the population. This study examines mental health issues and their association with gender in Melmaruvathur, teenage school children. Materials and Methods: After receiving approval from the Ethics Committee, a descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was carried out on adolescents who were attending school in Melmaruvathur. The participants in the study filled out the questionnaires. The power of the study was set at 80%, and the significance level was set at 0.05. The estimated size of the sample was 500. The duration of the study was approximately 1 ½ years, beginning on June 1, 2021, and ending on December 30, 2022. The age range was anywhere between 11 and 17 years, participants had to be adolescents who attended school. Those who had participated in mental health training programs in the past were not allowed to participate. Results: There were about 43.4% of females and 56.6% of males among the study participants. About 3.0% had very high conduct problems, 5.80% had high conduct problems, 1.4% had very high hyperactivity, around 1.80% had very high emotional problems, around 7.40% had very high peer problems, and 6.80% had very low prosocial. There was no statistically significant difference between the genders regarding conduct problems, hyperactivity problems, emotional problems, peer problems, and prosocial. In the case of females, 77.52% had a total difficulty score that was quite close to the average and in males, 81.53% received a total difficulty score that was quite close to the average. Conclusion: The findings are significant for several reasons, including the understanding of gender-specific vulnerabilities, the creation of youth mental health interventions that are more specifically focused on youth, and the peculiarities of the home setting.

Prevalence of Obesity and Its Relationship With Hypertension Among School-Going Adolescents Aged 12-16 Years.

Childhood obesity is a significant health issue that has grown in prominence, particularly in developed countries. Primary hypertension has become the dominant cause, leading to an increased incidence of arterial hypertension. This study examined the associations between sex and obesity with hypertension (HTN). Understanding these associations can provide insights into the risk factors and potential preventive strategies for HTN. This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at private schools in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, for one year. Data analysis was performed on a cohort of participants who underwent health assessments, including blood pressure measurements, self-reported dietary habits, and socio-economic status information. Statistical analyses assessed the associations between sex, dietary habits, socio-economic status, and HTN. There were 255 (51.0%) males and 245 (49%) females. Among the female participants, only two individuals (0.8%) had HTN, while among males, 11 individuals (4.3%) had HTN, indicating a significant association between sex and HTN (P=0.014). In terms of dietary habits, the prevalence of HTN was similar among non-vegetarians (2.5%) and vegetarians (3.1%), and the association was not statistically significant (P=0.777). Among the obese individuals in the study population, eight individuals (8.8%) had HTN, while the remaining 83 individuals (91.2%) did not have HTN, with a P-value of <0.0001, which indicates a significant association between HTN and obesity. This study revealed a significant association between sex and HTN, with males exhibiting a higher prevalence of HTN than females. Furthermore, the study showed a significant association between obesity and hypertension, indicating that obese individuals were more likely to have HTN.