Health Status of Adolescents and their Perceived Need for an Adolescent Health Service in a Selected Urban Area of Vellore District

Adolescence is an important developmental stage filled with health opportunities, as well as health risks. During this stage, health behaviours are established that pave the way for adult health, productivity and longevity. A cross sectional descriptive research design was used to assess the general health status of adolescents and their perceived need for an adolescent health service. Data were collected from 200 adolescent boys and 200 adolescent girls residing in Ramanayakanpalayam which is an urban area of Vellore district using systematic random sampling. Data were collected using demographic proforma, Indian Adolescent Health Questionnaire and perceived needs assessment Questionnaire prepared by the investigator. The findings revealed that majority of the adolescents(60.5%) perceived their health status as good. Majority (75%) of them had normal mental health scores. Majority (69%) of them perceived the need for an adolescent health service in the selected area of study. The health care needs of the adolescents should be addressed through appropriate intervention programmes.