Health profile of Egyptian school adolescents in Cairo and Giza governorates

ABSTRACT

The objectives of this study were to describe the physical, physiological, and psychosocial characteristics of male and female Egyptian adolescents; to describe a set of patterns that characterize Egyptian adolescents' health habits; to identify their health concerns and to identify the reproductive health needs of female adolescents; and to detect any health-related problems among Egyptian adolescent. A sample of 1000 male and female adolescents [11 - 18 years of age] was randomly selected from preparatory and secondary schools in Cairo and Giza governorates. Several tools were developed and utilized to fulfill the study objectives: a questionnaire sheet that contains social, health habits and health problems data; growth and development assessment sheet that covers data related to physical, physiological and psychosocial development and an adolescent health concern questionnaire. The main findings indicated that the majority of the subjects were from governmental schools in Cairo and Giza governorates [80. 0% and 83.8% respectively]. Preparatory schools represented 38.0% and 44.0%, while secondary school represented 61.0% and 56% in Cairo and Giza respectively. Male adolescent accounted for 39.2% and 50.6%. While female adolescents accounted for 60.8.% and 49.4% respectively. More than half of the adolescents, had school-related problems and mare than 40% of them had previous injuries, their main health concerns were centered on their general appearance followed 'by their feeling of identity, and self-control. Most of the adolescents' physical and psychological characteristics were within normal ranges except that female adolescents suffered fmm anemia and showed reproductive health-related concerns. The majority of male and female adolescents indicated their need for more health information. The study concluded that Egyptian adolescents are in need for more health attention of concerned personnel