ADOLESCENT HEALTH SERVICES: DO THEY ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE ADOLESCENT? -AN EXPERIENCE IN BARAT DAYA, PENANG
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37268/mjphm/vol.4/no.1/art.1322Keywords:
adolescent, health servicesAbstract
A cross sectional study was carried amongst adolescent school children in Barat Daya1 in 2000. This was to determine the characteristic features of adolescents in the district and to look into their sexual activities, substance use and psychosocial problems with the aim to plan an appropriate adolescent health program. Some 400 students from Form 2 and Form 4 were selected by purposive stratified and systematic sampling. The study was carried out by trained nurses with an interview using a structured questionnaire. The majority of the respondents were Malays (78.8%) with a household income of less than RM2, 000.00 per month. Family relations and parental influence were found to be strong. Mental health characteristics scored negatively significantly in this study and those particularly at risk were those who performed poorly in schools. Most claimed not to be involved in high-risk behaviour though they knew of friends who did so. Adolescent health services in the district should take an integrated approach with other stakeholders. Health information should be easily available and focus should be given to poor achievers in school.
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