Urban Adolescents Research Articles

Estimated timing of the first menstrual period and dietary and nutritional correlates of menarche among urban school-going adolescents in four sub-Saharan African sites.

Characterizing the timing of menarche and the factors that are associated with it is important for understanding a population's reproductive health needs and long-term health trajectories. We estimated the age at the menstrual onset among adolescent girls and the association between dietary and nutritional factors and menarche in four sub-Saharan African urban sites. We used cross-sectional school-based data from 2307 female adolescents aged 10-14 years collected by the Africa Research, Implementation Science, and Education (ARISE) Network in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Khartoum, Sudan; and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Logit models were used to estimate the median age at menarche at each site. Associations between menarche and BMI-for-age, stunting, dietary qualityand food insecurity across settings were assessed using Poisson regression models adjusted for country and school levels. The estimated median age at menarche was 13.1 years (95% confidence interval: 12.7, 13.5) in Ouagadougou; 12.9 (12.6, 13.2) in Addis Ababa; 13.3 (12.7, 13.6) in Khartoum; and 13.2 (12.3, 14.0) in Dar es Salaam. Between 18% and 49% of the girls in each setting had already menstruated. Based on the pooled multivariable models, underweight participants were 42% less likely (adjusted prevalence ratio [PR]0.58 [0.44, 0.77]) to have experienced menarche in comparison to normal-weight individuals. The likelihood of experiencing menarche increased for overweight [PR 1.47 (1.30,1.66)] and obese [PR 1.57 (1.35,1.82)] in comparison to normal-weight girls. Those stunted were 47% less likely to have experienced menarche [PR 0.53 (0.41, 0.69)] than their nonstunted counterparts. A lower likelihood of menarche among those experiencing moderate/severe hunger when compared to those with no/little hunger was also observed (PR 0.78 [0.63,0.96]). No evidence of association with dietary quality was found. Further research is needed to strengthen the body of evidence and inform evidence-based initiatives in low- and middle-income settings.

Psychosocial and emotional well-being of Syrian refugee children and adolescents in Jordan: In-camp versus out-of-camp comparative analysis.

There is a notable gap in understanding how different living arrangements influence the psychosocial and emotional well-being of Syrian refugee children and adolescents. Moreover, limited literature exists on the comparison between in-camp and out-of-camp living situations. The aim of this study was to compare the psychosocial and emotional status between camp and non-camp Syrian refugee children and adolescents living in Jordan. A nationwide school survey was conducted in Jordan from December 2022 to April 2023 and targeted children (8-11 years) and adolescents (12-18 years), encompassing Jordanians, Syrians, and Palestinians, both in camps (camp refugees) and urban areas (urban refugees). In this paper, the analysis was limited to Syrian refugees. A total of 1,420 children and 1,249 adolescents were included. Children in camps had higher rates of hyperactivity (12.7% vs 8.3%) and total difficulties (19.3% vs 13.9%) compared to urban dwellers. However, they had lower rates of bedtime problems (12.8% vs 17.0%) and problematic internet use (19.9% vs 34.8%). Camp adolescents had higher rates of separation anxiety disorder (44.0% vs 37.8%) and conduct problems (22.2% vs 15.0%), but lower rates of poor physical functioning (43.3% vs 52.3%) compared to urban adolescents. Adjusted analysis showed lower odds of generalized anxiety disorder (OR=0.59), problematic internet use (OR=0.39), and bedtime problems (OR=0.67) for camp children. However, they had higher odds of emotional symptoms (OR=1.47), hyperactivity (OR=2.08), and overall difficulties (OR=1.50). Camp adolescents had higher odds of overall difficulties (OR=1.49) but lower odds of poor physical functioning (OR=0.67) compared to urban adolescents. In conclusion, children in refugee camps had lower rates of problematic internet use and bedtime issues but higher rates of hyperactivity and overall difficulties than urban children. Similarly, camp adolescents faced more total difficulties but reported better physical functioning than their urban peers. The complex interplay between living conditions and well-being underscores the need for tailored mental health interventions for displaced populations.

Eyes on me: how social media use is associated with urban Chinese adolescents' concerns about their physical appearance.

Social media usage carries risks of negative impacts on one's perception of physical attractiveness, especially among adolescents who are developing their self-image. These findings suggest that targeted interventions focusing on attention-seeking behaviors may be effective in addressing appearance-related anxieties among adolescents. We employed Bayesian analysis with Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithms on survey data from 11,926 middle school students in China. Our findings indicate that while the amount of daily social media usage does not significantly correlate with appearance concerns, the desire for social media attention through interactions such as liking, commenting, and sharing shows a clear positive association. Female adolescents exhibit a higher degree of concern about their physical appearance compared to males. Additionally, behaviors aimed at improving perceived physical attractiveness, such as exercising and using skin-whitening products, are positively associated with increased appearance concerns. These findings suggest that targeted interventions focusing on attention-seeking behaviors may be effective in addressing appearance-related anxieties among adolescents.

Prevalence and correlates of depression, anxiety, and stress among adolescents in urban and rural areas of Mysuru, South India.

Adolescence, a volatile period of growth between the ages of 10 and 19, is associated with increased vulnerability to mental health problems. Factors such as academic pressure can contribute to these challenges. The current study aimed to evaluate the factors and prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress among adolescents in the urban and rural areas of Mysuru district. A cross-sectional study was conducted in private high schools in both urban and rural regions. Prior permission and informed consent were obtained from participants and their legal guardians aged 18 years and older. The gender distribution in urban areas was 60.2% female and 39.8% male, while in rural areas, it was 51% male and 49% female. The prevalence of depression was higher in rural (39.3%) than in urban areas (24.2%), while anxiety was more prevalent in urban (50.6%) than in rural areas (49%). Stress was also more common in rural (16.6%) than urban adolescents (14.6%). Factors significantly associated with mental health outcomes included monthly family income, parenting practices, academic pressures, and self-esteem. Key needs identified were mobile mental health applications, online counseling services, and access to school counselors. This study provides insights into the prevalence and correlates of common mental health issues among adolescents in this region of South India. The findings emphasize the necessity of providing mobile applications and offline counseling services to effectively support and meet the needs of adolescents in these settings.

Depression, anxiety, and stress among urban and rural adolescents in Shivamogga, Karnataka

Background Currently there are 1.3 billion adolescents worldwide, which makes up 16% of the world population. Over 20% of adolescents around the world are thought to have behavioural or mental health issues. Addressing mental health issues is very important for the promotion of positive health in adolescents. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among adolescents in urban and rural areas of Shivamogga. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 adolescents aged 16 to 19 years each from urban and rural areas of Shivamogga. Results Depression, anxiety and stress were found to be 23.1%, 29.4% and 26.6% in urban areas and 19.1%, 24% and 21.1% in rural areas respectively. Depression was more common among females in both urban and rural settings, with a significant difference observed in rural areas. Anxiety and stress were also more prevalent among females, with anxiety significantly higher in urban females. Urban adolescents exhibited higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress compared to their rural counterparts. Conclusions About a quarter of the adolescent population suffers from depression anxiety and stress. Adopting and implementing better education and health policies are necessary to enhance adolescent mental health.

Adolescent utilization of sexual and reproductive health services in Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Insights from multilevel and latent class analysis.

Adolescents face unique challenges related to their sexual and reproductive health (SRH), with access to timely services being critical for positive outcomes. However, SRH service utilization among adolescents remains low. This study aimed to identify factors influencing SRH service use among adolescents in Gamo Zone, Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study involved 1172 adolescents selected through stratified sampling. Structured face-to-face interviews were employed for data collection. Multilevel mixed logistic regression was fitted to identify factors and latent class analysis was conducted to understand population heterogeneity. The findings of this study reveal that 198 (16.89%) adolescents (95% CI: 14.8%-19.2%) utilized SRH services within the past 12 months. Factors significantly associated with SRH service utilization included good knowledge about SRH rights (AOR = 4.65; 95% CI: 2.68, 8.07), belonging to one-parent families (AOR = 4.13; 95% CI: 2.39, 7.12), engaging in parental discussions regarding SRH issues (AOR = 3.17; 95% CI: 1.89, 5.29), high family support (AOR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.09, 3.51), and enrolling in school (AOR = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.33). Additionally, access to social media was associated with increased SRH service utilization among adolescents (AOR = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.25, 3.15). Latent class analysis identified four groups: rural school-enrolled adolescents living with parents, urban school-enrolled adolescents with both parents, urban disadvantaged female adolescents, and early adolescents with limited social media access. In conclusion, our study sheds light on the utilization of SRH services among adolescents, revealing that 16.89% of the participants accessed these services within the past year. Significant factors associated with SRH service utilization included good knowledge about SRH rights, belonging to one-parent families, engaging in parental discussions regarding SRH issues, high family support, and enrollment in school. Interestingly, access to social media was also linked to increased utilization of SRH services among adolescents. Furthermore, our latent class analysis identified four distinct classes of adolescents based on socio-demographic indicators, highlighting the heterogeneity within this population. These findings underscore the importance of tailored interventions and targeted approaches to address the diverse needs of adolescents in accessing and utilizing SRH services.

Self efficacy among rural and urban adolescents

Self efficacy among rural and urban adolescents

Academic anxiety among selected rural and urban adolescents of Telangana state

Academic anxiety among selected rural and urban adolescents of Telangana state

Sources of Stress and Coping Strategies Among Urban African American Adolescents: A Qualitative Study of Child and Caregiver Perspectives.

Early adolescence is a critical point for intervention to protect against negative consequences of stress on the developing brain. This study aimed to gather perspectives on stress from adolescents and their caregivers living in under-resourced Baltimore City neighborhoods. Nine African American adolescents and their caregivers (n = 18 total) participated in qualitative interviews exploring neighborhood environments, sources of stress, and coping behaviors. Neighborhood social cohesion was described as a strength of participants' communities, despite concerns about neighborhood safety. Caregivers were highly aware of their child's stressors and coping behaviors. School-related pressure was a prevalent source of stress emphasized by adolescents, along with social stress due to disrupted routines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adolescents described frequent use of electronics to cope with stress, as well as self-care and relaxation techniques. Themes identified from these data can be used to inform future adolescent stress-reduction interventions and stress-prevention efforts in this priority population.

Socio-economic Status and Frequency of Consumption of Processed Foods among Rural and Urban Adolescents of Kamrup Metropolitan District of Assam

Socio-economic Status and Frequency of Consumption of Processed Foods among Rural and Urban Adolescents of Kamrup Metropolitan District of Assam

Examining the Role of Childhood Trauma, Ego Capability, and Social Media Usage on Food Consumption Urges Among Urban Adolescents.

Examining the Role of Childhood Trauma, Ego Capability, and Social Media Usage on Food Consumption Urges Among Urban Adolescents.

Using Birleson Depression Self-Rating Scale to Measure Depressive Symptoms among Urban Adolescents in Hanoi, Vietnam

This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of depressive symptoms among adolescents using the Birleson Depression Self-Rating Scale (DSRS) and to explore how demographic factors such as gender, grade level, and academic performance influence these symptoms. This is a cross-sectional study involving 996 students from two secondary schools in Hanoi, Vietnam. Participants completed the DSRS, and data were analyzedto calculate the prevalence of depressive symptoms. Associations between depressive symptoms and demographic factors were examined using odds ratios and regression analysis. The overall prevalence of depressive symptoms was 11%. Males reported significantly higher depressive symptoms compared to females (OR=0.52, p < 0.01). Depressive symptoms varied by grade but did not show a significant gradient, with seventh and sixth graders showing slightly lower symptom scores compared to eighth graders. Academic performance was related to depressive symptoms, with students performing poorly showing higher rates of depression, though this was not statistically significant across all levels. The study confirms the utility of the DSRS in detecting depressive symptoms in adolescents and highlights significant gender and academic performance disparities in the prevalence of these symptoms. The findings suggest the need for targeted mental health interventions and school support systems to address the identified risk factors.

Depression, anxiety, and stress among urban and rural adolescents in Shivamogga, Karnataka.

Currently there are 1.3 billion adolescents worldwide, which makes up 16% of the world population. Over 20% of adolescents around the world are thought to have behavioural or mental health issues. Addressing mental health issues is very important for the promotion of positive health in adolescents. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among adolescents in urban and rural areas of Shivamogga. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 adolescents aged 16 to 19 years each from urban and rural areas of Shivamogga. Depression, anxiety and stress were found to be 23.1%, 29.4% and 26.6% in urban areas and 19.1%, 24% and 21.1% in rural areas respectively. Depression was more common among females in both urban and rural settings, with a significant difference observed in rural areas. Anxiety and stress were also more prevalent among females, with anxiety significantly higher in urban females. Urban adolescents exhibited higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress compared to their rural counterparts. About a quarter of the adolescent population suffers from depression anxiety and stress. Adopting and implementing better education and health policies are necessary to enhance adolescent mental health.

A scoping review on knowledge, beliefs, and practices towards HIV/AIDS among Indian adolescents

IntroductionHIV/AIDS remains a significant global health concern among adolescents (10–19 years) with a burden of 1.65 million individuals by the year 2022; adolescents account for about 4 % of the overall HIV burden while 10 % of new adult cases are converted from the adolescent group only. In India, adolescents often lack adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS, influenced by various factors. This scoping review aims to comprehensively synthesize and assess existing evidence on the knowledge, beliefs, and practices related to HIV/AIDS among adolescents in India. MethodLiterature searches were conducted in various databases with search limitations from January 2000 to December 2021. Ninety articles met our inclusion criteria. Data extraction was conducted, which followed a narrative summarization. A gap analysis was undertaken to highlight future research needs. A brief on government policies for creating awareness and preventing contraction among adolescents was presented for a better understanding. ResultsA total of seventy-four studies during the period of 2011–2021 were included in this analysis. More than 80% of the studies were cross-sectional (84.44%) prioritising urban settings (37.77%). Geographically, nearly one-third (26.66%) of the studies were reported from the northern region of the country. Knowledge among both the gender and the entire adolescent group was assessed by 58.9% and 15.5% of studies respectively. Key areas including knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS, sources of knowledge, attitude towards PLWH, and beliefs of adolescents regarding HIV/AIDS were prioritized. The findings indicated that males and urban adolescents exhibited higher levels of awareness about HIV/AIDS. However, several major research gaps around selected aspects of HIV/AIDS in India were identified. ConclusionThis scoping review provides a comprehensive overview of existing literature around attitude and beliefs among Indian adolescents regarding HIV/AIDS and emphasizes the importance and scope of further research. The study provides important perspectives for future policies and interventions.

ARE ADOLESCENTS CONSUMING MORE SALT THAN RECOMMENDED?

Objective: To study and compare the amount and pattern of sodium (Na) consumption in urban and rural school-going adolescents in Western India and identify high risk groups for conducting awareness programs. Design and method: 1850 subjects (urban- 935; rural- 915; Males-1012, Females -838) aged 14 - 17 years were recruited with prior permission from 5 schools in and around Mumbai. Data pertaining to demography, anthropometry and eating habits was collected. A self-administered semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to record consumption pattern of 22 high salt containing food items, divided into 5 categories (bakery, fried, packed, preserved and fast foods). Each participant‘s sodium consumption from these food items was calculated. Additional sodium consumption from regular meals was excluded. Data was analyzed using standard growth charts and MS Excel. Results: Only 13% of subjects added table salt. 67% and 81% brought homemade food for snacks and lunch respectively. Median Sodium consumption of the study population was 573 mg/day (∼ 1.5 g salt) (Q1-Q3:254 - 851 mg/day). There was no statistically significant difference (p> 0.05) in the Median Na consumption of girls (454 mg/day) and boys (489 mg/day). Daily Median Na consumption was not significantly different (p < 0.05) in urban students (624 mg/day) as compared to rural (592 mg/day). Bakery and fried foods together comprised 51% of sodium consumption among the rural population, whereas all five food categories had almost equal representation in the urban population. 54% subjects’ BMI (34% urban, 20% rural) was above the normal range. Higher BMI values correlated significantly with higher daily Na consumption (p =0.001, Mann-Whitney test). Conclusions: The salt intake over and above the usual dietary salt consumption was high (∼ 2 g per day for urban and ∼1.8 g/day for rural adolescents). Nearly half the study population was found to be either overweight or obese. This double whammy has a singular potential for producing future hypertensives. Thus, targeted awareness and counselling programs for salt reduction in adolescents is the urgent need of the hour.

An analysis of knowledge, awareness, and attitude about cervical cancer and its prevention among urban Indian adolescents: A cross-sectional study

An analysis of knowledge, awareness, and attitude about cervical cancer and its prevention among urban Indian adolescents: A cross-sectional study

A cross-sectional study of sleep quality in urban and rural adolescents with reference to their digital exposure

Abstract Background: With the widespread use of digital devices and increased screen time among adolescents, concerns have arisen regarding its potential impact on sleep quality. This study aims to investigate the correlation between excessive screen time and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global scores in adolescents. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 167 adolescents aged 10–19 years residing in rural and urban areas. Participants completed self-report questionnaires evaluating their screen time habits and sleep quality using the PSQI. Excessive screen time was defined as more than 2 h per day of exposure to digital screens, and an abnormal PSQI global score was defined as more than 5. Statistical analyses, including unpaired t test, Spearman’s correlation, and chi-square test, were employed to examine the association between excessive screen time and PSQI global scores. Results: The results revealed a significant positive correlation between excessive screen time and abnormal PSQI scores in adolescents (r = 0.623, P < 0.001). Adolescents reporting excessive screen time were significantly more prone to abnormal PSQI scores compared to those with lower screen time (P < 0.0001, t = 9.63, degree of freedom = 165). Conclusion: This study highlights a correlation between excessive screen time and abnormal sleep quality in adolescents, as assessed by the PSQI. These findings underscore the importance of promoting healthy screen time habits among adolescents to mitigate potential adverse effects on their sleep quality and overall health. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms underlying this relationship and to develop effective interventions to address this issue.

Adolescents in urban and rural communities in Rivers state, Nigeria: Factors influencing access and utilization of reproductive health services

Introduction: Reproductive health services (RHS) are used and accessed differently in rural and urban areas, though to what extent is unknown. In Rivers State, Nigeria, we identified and examined the characteristics impacting adolescents' access to and use of RHS in rural and urban areas. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study design was employed, five hundred and seven adolescents—255 from urban and 252 from rural communities—were surveyed. Access and utilization were measured and using adjusted odd ratios in multivariate logistic regression models, predictors of access and utilization were identified. Results: The corresponding median ages and interquartile ranges were 16.0 (14–19) and 14.0 (12–16) years, respectively. RHS utilization was low, with 57 (22.6 percent) in rural areas and 65 (25.5 percent) in urban areas. There was also a lack of access to services; only 8 (3.17 percent) rural and 81 (31.76 percent) urban residents had economic access to RHS. Access and utilization were predicted by age, level of education, awareness of RHS, sexual experience in both communities, beliefs that condoms can prevent STIs/ HIV, and exposure to mass and socio-media influenced access and utilization of RHS. Specifically, age group (15-19 years) of respondents was found to be a significant predictor of utilization of RHS for both urban (cOR=4.32, 95% CI; 0.82-22.69, p=0.001) and rural (aOR=7.65, 95% CI; 1.99-29.40, p=0.003) adolescents. Conclusion: Adolescents in urban areas have more access (3 in 10) and utilization of RHS compared with their rural (3 in 100) counterparts. There is a need to promote information and education on RHS among adolescents, especially in rural areas.

Reflections of well-being: navigating body image, chronic energy deficiency, and nutritional intake among urban and rural adolescents.

Adolescent growth and development is a period of very specific nutritional problems. As a result of poor growth and development, 36.3% of adolescents in Indonesia are at risk of developing CED. The purpose of this study was to determine the description of body image, the incidence of Chronic Energy Deficiency (CED), and nutritional intake in adolescents in urban and rural areas. This study used a descriptive quantitative design with a cross-sectional study conducted in Bandung and Sumedang on 387 adolescents aged 13-15 years. The instruments used in this study were body image questionnaire Figure Rating Scale (FRS) method, 2 × 24-h food recall, and anthropometry for Measuring mid upper arm circumference (MUAC). Results of this study showed that more than half of adolescents in urban (54.0%) and rural areas (61.7%) were at risk of CED, had negative body image perceptions in urban (69.1%) and rural areas (62.3%), and underconsumption of macronutrients in both urban and rural adolescents. Most adolescents in urban and rural areas still consume less energy, carbohydrates, and protein. Perceived body image and nutrient intake contribute to the incidence of CED in adolescents.

Family obligation moderates longitudinal associations between parental psychological control and adjustment of urban adolescents

This study investigated child-reported family obligation values (FOVs) in early adolescence as a moderator for associations between mother-, father-, and child-reported parental psychological control (PC) in early adolescence and child-reported internalizing and externalizing symptoms in middle and late adolescents in the Philippines. Data were drawn from three waves of a larger longitudinal study, when the Filipino youth were in late elementary grades (age M = 12.04, SD = 0.58; N = 91), in junior high school (age M = 15.03, SD = 0.59; N = 80), and in senior high school (age M = 17.00, SD = 0.59, N = 75). Results revealed that high levels of FOV buffered the positive associations between mother-reported PC and internalizing symptoms in late adolescence, and between child-reported PC and internalizing symptoms in middle and late adolescence, as well as externalizing symptoms in late adolescence. Conversely, low levels of FOV exacerbated the associations between mother- and child-reported PC on externalizing symptoms in late adolescence. Findings suggest that FOV may shape the meaning and influence of PC for children and adolescents in contexts where familial obligations are normative and important.