Health risk of adolescents in the rural and urban environment: integrative review

Abstract

Young people have specific health risks whether they live in a rural environment or in an urban environment. It was intended with this integrative literature review to identify the specific health risks of young people in rural and urban settings. To achieve this, we carried out an integrative review of the literature on EBSCO databases, PROQUEST, Mendeley, B-ON, from February 2018 to May 2018, having the selection criteria articles published between 2002 and 2018 so that we identify recent studies that reveal actual risks. The results allowed us to identify a very varied set of risk behaviours in both rural and urban settings. Most of the studies analysed had a transversal design, anthropometric evaluations were performed to evaluate health status. Interesting findings resulted, namely young people in rural areas are exposed to additional and more varied risks than urban ones, requiring greater supervision and follow-up by health professionals. These findings can help to define practices more directed to real risks. Although health authorities are aware of some risks to which young people are subjected, studies report little or nothing has been done to protect them, so we believe that it is urgent to create health policies that are appropriate for each environment to safeguard them.

Sexual well-being among young people in remote rural island communities in Scotland: a mixed methods study

“… 13 Social isolation and lack of access to information or youth services can exacerbate health risk. 14 LGBT+ adolescents living in rural areas of Scotland are more likely to report feeling lonely and of experiencing prejudice or discrimination within their local community than their urban counterparts. 15 Thus, it has been suggested that access to comprehensive school-based relationships and sexual health education is of particular importance in supporting rural young people’s sexual well-being.…”

“…Such issues have been highlighted previously for young people in rural areas of Scotland 13. Social isolation and lack of access to information or youth services can exacerbate health risk 14. LGBT+ adolescents living in rural areas of Scotland are more likely to report feeling lonely and of experiencing prejudice or discrimination within their local community than their urban counterparts 15.…”