International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health最新文献

Objectives: Young people face barriers that lead to gaps in sexual and reproductive health care communications. Issues such as discomfort discussing sexual health lead to inadequate delivery of services resulting in unintended pregnancies and STIs. Closing this communication gap between patients and health care practitioners would improve communication and health outcomes. The objective of this study was to gain feedback from focus groups about: (a) barriers and facilitators to communication surrounding sexual health and (b) the feasibility and acceptability of a question prompt list (QPL) and informational video emphasizing asking questions about sexual health during medical visits as tools young people could use to be more involved during visits.

Methods: Three focus groups were conducted: two with young adults (n=14) and one with practitioners (n=5) of sexual/reproductive health care services. Practitioners were recruited from healthcare clinics.

Results: Young adults were aged 18-22 years old. Participants identified barriers to communication such as embarrassment over sexual health topics and practitioner assumptions about patients' base of knowledge. A facilitator to communication was patient-friendly language. Focus group participants offered suggestions on how to improve the QPL as well as themes that should be covered in an educational video. Participants viewed the QPL and educational video as useful for encouraging conversations between patient and practitioner.

Conclusions: Many barriers obstruct communication between young adults and practitioners on topics relating to sexual health. Both the QPL and an educational video could be used to enhance patient-practitioner communication.

Objectives: Having sex under the influence of alcohol is a risky behavior and this study explored its prevalence and correlates among school-going Thai adolescents.

Methods: The data from the 2021 Thailand Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), including a nationally representative sample of students in grades 7-12th, was used to extract the relevant variables including demographic, psychosocial, substance use, and risky sex behaviors. Logistic regression was used to assess the odds of engaging in sex while intoxicated across the independent variables while accounting for age and sex differences.

Results: Approximately 30.45 % of respondents reported alcohol intoxication and 37.75 % reported engaging in sexual intercourse while intoxicated at least once. Older adolescents (>14 years), males, and those in 11 and 12 grades were more likely to engage in sexual intercourse while intoxicated. Psychosocial factors such as loneliness and anxiety-induced insomnia were associated with increased likelihood, particularly among females. Substance use, including marijuana and amphetamine use, as well as cigarette smoking, correlated with higher odds of engaging in sexual intercourse while intoxicated. Both genders who engaged in sex while intoxicated reported having multiple sexual partners, with males more likely to use condoms.

Conclusions: The intricate relationship between poor mental health, substance use, and risky sex behaviors along with their association with sex under alcohol influence emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to address the common risk factors and implement effective school-based screening strategies to identify the risk groups, educate them, and prevent the burden of risky sex under alcohol intoxication.

Objectives: Adolescence is a critical and sensitive period of growth, marked by significant physical and psychological changes. During this time, adolescents often experience increased anxiety and concerns about their body image. This study aims to examine body image concern and demographic characteristics as predictors of anxiety in adolescent girls.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 381 female students aged 12-13 from Babol city. The participants were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria. Multi-stage sampling method was employed, and the samples were selected from six middle schools. The data collection tools consisted of a demographic information questionnaire, Littleton's body image concern scale, and Zung's anxiety scale.

Results: The mean score for body image concern was 16.59±44.82, while the mean score for anxiety was 10.53±37.31. When investigating the relationship between body image concern and anxiety, a significant and positive correlation between these two variables was observed during regression analysis (p<0.001). Both univariate and multivariate regression analyses indicated that for every one-unit increase in students' body image concern score, their overall anxiety score increased by an average of 0.34 units in both models (B: 0.34, 95 % CI: 0.29-0.39) (p<0.001). Additionally, in univariate regression analyses students who received puberty information from sources other than their mother exhibited 2.68 units higher anxiety levels, which was statistically significant (B: 2.68, 95 % CI: 0.38-4.98) (p<0.001) and, concerning the preferred source of information, students who favored a non-mother source experienced 3.91 units increase in their anxiety score (B: 3.91, 95 % CI: 1.74-6.08) (p<0.001). The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that with the presence of all independent variables in the model, 30 % of the dependent variable changes can be predicted (explained) (R ² =0.302).

Conclusions: The findings indicated a positive association between body image concerns and anxiety among students. Moreover, students who relied on sources other than their mother for obtaining information about puberty displayed higher levels of anxiety. Consequently, it is imperative to implement preventive and supportive programs targeting adolescents as well as empowering mothers to effectively deal with these issues.

Objectives: Adolescent cases suffering from obesity tend to increase in middle-income countries. This study focused on the relationship between adolescent obesity and parents body mass index (BMI) and the variables of satisfaction, diet implementation and sports promotion.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents living in the Mediterranean region (n=522, evaluated n=488). Anthropometric measurements were taken by expert researchers and data were collected using face-to-face survey technique.

Results: The average BMI of the adolescents and parents' was found to be above normal values. In adolescents, there was a positive and very good correlation with maternal BMI (r=0.711, p<0.01), a positive and moderate correlation with paternal BMI (r=0.512, p<0.01); In girl adolescents, it was positively and very well with maternal BMI (r=0.731, p<0.01), positively and moderately with father BMI (r=0.549, p<0.01); In boy adolescents, a positive and good correlation was found with maternal BMI (r=0.698, p<0.01), and a positive and moderate correlation with paternal BMI (r=0.459, p<0.01). In the analyzes comparing those who thought obesity threatened them (group 1) and those who did not think it threatened them (group 2), there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of BMI distribution, satisfaction with body weight, diet program implementation, diet recommendation by the family and sports encouragement (p<0, 05).

Conclusions: In a cross-sectional perspective paternal obesity is also significant in adolescents and the correlation with maternal obesity is relatively more effective. Also includes evidence of individual efforts and parental contribution in adolescents who see obesity as a threat.

This scoping review provides an up-to-date overview of the evidence on adolescent and youth-friendly health services (AYFHS) in sub-Saharan African countries. We conducted a search of four databases and grey literature sources to identify English language publications from January 1, 2005, to December 14th, 2022. The review synthesized evidence on the models and characteristics of AYFHS, the application of World Health Organization (WHO) standards, and whether AYFHS have improved young people's health outcomes. In total, 77 sources were included in the review, representing 47 AYFHS initiatives spanning 19 countries, and three multi-country reports. Most commonly, AYFHS were delivered in public health facilities and focused on sexual and reproductive health, with limited application of WHO standards. Some evidence suggested that AYFHS increased young people's health service utilization and contraceptives uptake. There is a clear need to strengthen and develop innovative and multi-pronged approaches to delivering and evaluating AYFHS in this region.

Objectives: This study was conducted to address a critical gap in understanding adolescent sexual health risks in Argentina, a country that has undergone substantial socio-economic changes that made significant strides in education and healthcare.

Methods: A secondary data analysis of the 2018 Argentina Global School-based Student Health Survey was performed. In this study, 23,262 sexually active adolescents were categorized into four risk groups based on the predicted granular risk: number of sexual partners and condom use in their last sexual encounter.

Results: Males and older adolescents were more prone to high-risk sexual behaviors. Additionally, key psychosocial factors such as loneliness, anxiety, experiences of violence, and school absenteeism were significantly associated with high-risk sexual behaviors. Early alcohol use and recent experiences of hunger were also identified as strong predictors of heightened sexual risk behaviors. Conversely, positive parental engagement and awareness exhibited protective factors.

Conclusions: These findings highlight the necessity for policy interventions that focus on mental health support, parental involvement, and awareness of adolescent issues and activities.

Objectives: Suicidal ideation and suicide are serious situations that affect children and adolescents. The restrictions imposed by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have had a significant negative impact, due to social isolation, prolonged screen exposure and reduced outdoor activities. This study aims to compare the access to the Pediatric Emergency Department due to suicidal ideation and suicide attempts before and during the pandemic.

Methods: This descriptive and retrospective study analyzed clinical records of children/adolescents who attended a Level II Pediatric Emergency Department of a hospital due to suicidal ideation and/or suicide attempts, between March 2018 and March 2020 (pre-pandemic period) and April 2020 to March 2022 (pandemic period). Demographic (age and sex) and clinical (psychopharmacological therapy, discharge destination and follow-up psychiatric/psychological consultations) variables were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2022^® and SPSS v20.0^®, considering statistical significance at p<0.05.

Results: A total of 71 children/adolescents were admitted for suicidal ideation, with a median age of 15 years (minimum: 10 years, maximum: 17 years), 27 in pre-pandemic period and 44 in pandemic period (p<0.001). The majority were girls, with a significant increase in pandemic period (pre-pandemic: 55.6 %, pandemic: 79.6 %; p<0.05). The age group with the highest increase in admissions was 15 years. There was a significant increase in suicidal attempts among girls (p<0.05) as well as self-harm behaviors (p<0.01). There was also a significant increase in the number of psychology/child psychiatry follow-up consultations in pandemic period (p<0.05). Most patients were referred to another hospital in both periods (pre-pandemic: 55.6 %, pandemic: 68.2 %) at discharge.

Conclusions: During the pandemic period, there was an increase in the number of suicidal ideation cases, particularly among females, as well as in suicide attempts cases, which appears to be correlated with the pandemic restrictions. Larger-scale studies are needed to draw more accurate conclusions.

To understand and treat juvenile delinquency, the study explores the relevance of psycho-physiological indicators. It also emphasizes the necessity for thorough research to minimize the gap existing between psycho-physiological measurements and conventional psychosocial components. The study focuses on the relevance of personality features, habituation, and autonomic arousal required to monitor the proper management of delinquent conduct. Through the integration of biological, psychological, and social elements into a multidimensional approach, researchers can uncover novel insights and create cutting-edge therapies for youths who are at risk of delinquent behavior. The study proposes to develop a comprehensive framework that considers biological antecedents in addition to conventional metrics to reach the root cause of delinquency; thereby drawing special attention to current literature and research that emphasizes the psycho-physiological correlates of delinquency. By examining the complex interactions between stress, physiology, emotions, behavior, and social structures, the study highlights the intricacy of delinquent conduct and the necessity for adopting a multifaceted strategy to fully address the problematic areas. Future research paths are emphasized, with a focus on the significance of longitudinal studies, moderating and mediating variables, and creative treatment techniques. By utilizing psycho-physiological markers and psychosocial traits, researchers can tailor intervention strategies to meet individual needs effectively. Early identification of psycho-physiological deficits in children is crucial for implementing successful behavior modification techniques and promoting the well-being of future generations. This is expected to help the government agencies to save time and public money.

Objectives: To evaluate medical students' knowledge, attitudes, and self-medication practices for acne vulgaris.

Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at Beni-Suef University's Faculty of Medicine from January 2023 to June 2023. A pre-structured questionnaire was used for the study.

Results: A total of 297 students (85.1 %) used self-medications for acne without a prescription. The total knowledge score of self-medication among the study participants was 3.81 ± 2.23. About 71.4 % knew about precautions, and 72.7 % of the participants reported that self-medication is part of self-care. There was a statistical significance between the total mean knowledge score and age (p=0.007), gender (p=0.013), and academic year (p=0.001).

Conclusions: A significant portion of students self-medicate about acne. The total knowledge score of self-medication was to some extent not relatively high. Educational programs can be developed to increase medical students' awareness of the risks and benefits of self-medication, information on appropriate use of medications, and when to seek medical attention.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore adolescent pregnant women related to their pregnancy experience about mental health needs during pregnancy for the prevention of depression during pregnancy.

Methods: This research is a qualitative study design with a phenomenological approach. Data collection using interviews (in-depth interviews). This study involved 18 participants consisting of 12 pregnant women aged 15-19 years and 6 midwives who work at the health center. The criteria for informants of pregnant women are pregnant with Trimester I to III, age 15-19 years and not experiencing complications of pregnancy.

Results: Based on interviews conducted with informants, five themes were obtained about the experiences and needs of pregnant women in adolescence. These themes are (1). Risk of depression, (2). Social and family support needs, (3). Needs of mental health services, (4). Obstacles for midwives in providing mental health services, and (5). needs of mental health information media.

Conclusions: Five needs of teenage pregnant women are factors that can support mental health to prevent depression during pregnancy.