Sexuality in Adolescents: have we Explored Enough! A Cross-sectional Study to Explore Adolescent Health in a City Slum in Northern India

Abstract

Context: Adolescent health is a relatively new focus area of India's National health program. However, little evidence is available for the existing problems especially in adolescent slum population. A study was planned to explore the problems of adolescent pertaining to sexuality, physical health, tobacco and alcohol use in slums of Urban Meerut, and create evidence base for informed planning and decision making by the local health authorities. Aims:To study the adolescent health in the slums of Meerut City, India. Settings and Design:Entire slums of Urban Meerut, crosssectional study. Materials and Methods:Study was done in the slums of Meerut city, in Northern India. WHO 30 cluster sampling technique was used. Thirty slums were selected from the list of all the slums of Meerut, 210 adolescents were selected with 7 adolescents from each slum.Statistical Analysis: Proportions and Chi-square test.Results: More than one third of the (36.7%) adolescents reported to have a current health problem, however only half of these sought medical help for treatment. Tweleve percent of adolescents reported history of alcohol or tobacoo use. Nine percent adolescents complained of stressful atmosphere at home. About 10% adolescents in the surveyed population gave history of sexual activity, but only one third of them had used condom during their last sexual intercourse. Conclusion:This study reflects the high morbidity and poor treatment seeking behaviour among adolescents in urban slums. A significant proportion of adolescents indulge in high risk sexual behavior, tobacco and alcohol use. There were significant gender differences with regards to treatment seeking behaviour, sexual behaviour, tobacco and alcohol use. The gender nuances must be taken into account while planning interventions for this section of population.

Psychological distress, hopelessness and health service needs of late adolescents in rural Pondicherry, South India

“…Substance abuse was reported by 2.7% of the adolescents in this study, which is less as compared to the study by Jain et al in Meerut where 19% of the adolescents reported substance abuse. 15 In the present study, 0.6% of adolescents used smoked tobacco which is less compared to the study from Tamil Nadu which reported the prevalence of tobacco smoking among adolescents aged between 13-15 years as 5.3%. 17 Another study from Karnataka reported that 7.2% of adolescents in the age group of 15-19 years were tobacco smokers.…”

“…This finding is comparable to the study from Iran which reported the prevalence of hopelessness as 12.6%, butin contrast to the studies done in Meerut and Delhi which reported the prevalence of hopelessness among adolescents as 20.7%. [14][15][16] Substance abuse with tobacco and alcohol found to be less in this study population. Substance abuse was reported by 2.7% of the adolescents in this study, which is less as compared to the study by Jain et al in Meerut where 19% of the adolescents reported substance abuse.…”

“…Their cultural beliefs, family structure and support, peer relationships and educational opportunities influence their behaviour and adjustment. Late adolescence encompasses the later part of teenage years between [15][16][17][18][19] years. 2 This is the period where major physical and mental changes usually occur and also it is a time of opportunity, idealism and promise.…”

Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of Sexual and Reproductive Health Illustrative Questionnaire

“…Sexual issues are sensitive topics in Iran. As such, some parts of the questionnaire were identified as being culturally challenging by experts, however, their input led us to culturally adapt these sections to ensure that the questionnaire can be used in a sensitive and yet accurate manner not only in Iran but also in other countries where religiosity is a strong component of their cultures (13,14,17).…”

“…They did not perform the psychometric assessment of the questionnaire for age group 15-49 years (6). This instrument has also been used in other countries including India, Nepal, Ghana, Boamah, Saudi Arabia, Kenya Nigeriya, China and Tanzania, where religiosity is a strong component informing culture (14)(15)(16)(17).…”