Socio-demographic study among school going adolescents

Background: Adolescence is the phase usually between 10 to 20 years, in which children undergo rapid change in body size, physiological and psychological and social functioning. All body dimensions, development and maturation are completed. This is the net result of hormones and social structures designed to foster the transition from childhood to adulthood. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study was to provide information on important emerging health problems and issues in adolescent population. Their physical growth and nutritional aspects were studied. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out among school-going adolescents of standard 8 to 12. Study duration was from January 2011 to September 2011. Participants were selected by systemic sampling. The data collection tool used for the study was a semi-structured questionnaire containing questions pertaining to the socio-demographic information, family information and personal characteristics. The main outcome measures were growth, nutrition, various social and psychosomatic problems. Height and weight measurements were also taken. All students were examined clinically for pallor (palms, conjunctiva, tongue). General examination was done to look eyes, teeth (for staining, dental caries), throat and nails. Collected data was thoroughly sorted, cleaned, entered into Excel and analyzed using Epi-Info software. Results: 662 boys and 487 girls were studied. (M: F = 1.4:1). Mean BMI among was 17.79 and 17.26 among boys and girls, respectively. On Health Check-up it was found that dental caries was most common illness 287(25%) followed by tonsillitis 183(16%), bitot’s spots 126(11%), refractive error 57(5%) and skin diseases 10(0.9%). Conclusion: Various problems found at health check-up indicate poor access to regular health services.