Individual and context correlates of the oral pill and condom use among Brazilian female adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Studies have examined the impact of contextual factors on the use of contraceptives among adolescents and found that many measures of income and social inequality are associated with contraceptive use. However, few have focused on maternal and primary health indicators and its influence on adolescent contraceptive use. This paper assesses whether maternal mortality rates, antenatal care visits, and primary healthcare coverage are associated with pill and condom use among female adolescents in Brazil. METHODS: We used data from the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA), a national, school-based cross-sectional study conducted in Brazil. A subsample of all female adolescents who had ever had sexual intercourse and were living in one of the 26 State capitals and the Federal District was selected (n = 7415). Multilevel mixed effects logistic regression models were estimated to examine the effect of contextual variables on pill and condom use. RESULTS: Sixty-five percent of female adolescents reported using pill while 21.9% reported using condom during the last sexual intercourse. Adolescents living in municipalities with low maternal mortality and high antenatal care coverage were significantly more likely to use pill during the last sexual intercourse compared to those from municipalities with high maternal mortality and low antenatal care coverage. Primary healthcare coverage (proportion of the population covered by primary healthcare teams) was not significantly associated with either condom or pill use during the last sexual intercourse. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that promoting the use of pill among female adolescents may require approaches to strengthen healthcare systems rather than those focused solely on individual attributes.

Prevalence and comorbidity of psychiatric symptomology in Pakistani female adolescents

Abstract Background Previous researchers have demonstrated the co-existence of psychiatric conditions across clinical as well as non-clinical samples in diverse situations. The present study examined the prevalence and co-morbidity of various psychiatric symptoms (e.g. learning disabilities, depression and anxiety) in school-age female adolescents. Methods In a cross-sectional random sampling method, 252 girls from two government schools in Lahore were assessed by Learning Disabilities Checklist, Children Depression Inventory and the Spence Anxiety Scale. Results The results demonstrate significant prevalence and co-morbidity of psychiatric symptoms. Of the 252 participants, 34%, 21% and 68% had significant learning disabilities, depression and anxiety symptoms respectively. In addition, 27% of them presented symptoms of three studied psychiatric conditions. A highly significant positive correlation was found between learning disabilities, depression and anxiety symptoms. Methods There is a dire need for preventative intervention programs to promote mental health at school level. Further, assessment plans for the screening of psychiatric symptoms in normative samples also need to be put in place.

Female adolescent health needs and determinants.

OBJECTIVE: Adolescence is a critical developmental period with characteristic health risks and needs. Assessing adolescent health needs helps to improve the planning and implementation of effective interventions. This study aimed to describe the health needs and determinants of female adolescents. METHODS: This analytical descriptive study included 850 female students. The sampling method was multistage cluster sampling. Data were collected from a questionnaire consisting of two parts, the first probing into socio-demographic matters and the second into respondent health needs. Data analysis was performed via the Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, and Pearson correlation coefficients. RESULTS: The results showed that individuals attending private high schools not living with their parents had higher health needs than other students. Students with older fathers - particularly fathers aged 50+ years - had increased health needs. Psycho-emotional care topped the list of health needs, whereas services in the field of spiritual belief were in last place. CONCLUSION: Our study found that the most important factors related to healthcare needs were level of education, type of school (private vs. public), and living with parents. The results of this study can be useful in designing and implementing interventions to prevent high-risk behaviors and promote adolescent health.

Physical fitness and nutritional status in female adolescents with anorexia nervosa / Aptidão física e estado nutricional em adolescentes do sexo feminino com anorexia nervosa

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to determine whether physical fitness is related to nutritional status in a sample of female adolescents with anorexia nervosa, to contrast the nourished and undernourished patients, and to compare the physical fitness in these patients with normative data of healthy subjects stratified by age and gender. Methods Nutritional status was determined using the body mass index Z-score, fat mass, fat-free mass (bioelectrical impedance analysis), and the Controlling Nutritional Status score in 15 anorexic adolescents with 14.3±1.6 years. Physical fitness was assessed using the ALPHA-Fitness Battery (handgrip strength, standing broad jump, 4x10m shuttle run, and 20m shuttle run tests). Results Handgrip strength was significantly associated with all variables of nutritional status, except with the three blood components of the Controlling Nutritional Status score. The undernourished anorexic patients showed significantly worse physical fitness than the nourished anorexic patients in all tests, except in the standing broad jump and the 4x10m shuttle run tests. The physical fitness tests of the female anorexic adolescents showed scores significantly worse than those of the normative European female adolescent population. Conclusion The observation of female adolescents with anorexia nervosa showed associations between higher physical fitness levels and better nutritional statuses. Handgrip strength and 20m shuttle run tests may be options of additional indicators of undernutrition in anorexic female adolescents. The undernourished anorexic patients showed worse physical fitness than the nourished ones. According to normative data for healthy sex- and agematched adolescents, physical fitness is severely impaired in anorexic female adolescents.

RESUMO Objetivo Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar se a aptidão física está relacionada ao estado nutricional em uma amostra de adolescentes do sexo feminino com anorexia nervosa, contrastar pacientes nutridas versus desnutridas e comparar a aptidão física nesses pacientes com dados normativos de indivíduos saudáveis estratificados por idade e gênero. Métodos O estado nutricional foi determinado pelo escore Z do índice de massa corporal, massa gorda e massa livre de gordura (análise de impedância bioelétrica) e pelo escore do Estado Nutricional Controlador em 15 adolescentes anoréxicas com 14,3±1,6 anos. A aptidão física foi avaliada usando a Bateria ALPHA-Fitness (força de preensão manual, salto em distância em pé, corrida com vaivém 4x10m e corrida com vaivém de 20m). Resultados A força de preensão manual foi significativamente associada a todas as variáveis do estado nutricional, exceto aos três componentes sanguíneos do escore do Estado de Controle Nutricional. As pacientes anoréxicas desnutridas mostraram uma aptidão física substancialmente pior do que as pacientes anoréxicas nutridas em todos os testes, exceto nos saltos em pé em posição ampla e nos testes de corrida em 4x10m. Os testes de aptidão física dos adolescentes anoréxicos do sexo feminino apresentaram escores consideravelmente piores do que os da população adolescente europeia normativa. Conclusão Adolescentes do sexo feminino com anorexia nervosa apresentaram associação entre maiores níveis de aptidão física e melhor estado nutricional. Os testes de força de preensão manual e corrida de lançadeira de 20m podem ser alternativas como indicadores adicionais do estado de desnutrição em adolescentes anoréxicas. As pacientes anoréxicas desnutridas demonstraram pior condicionamento físico do que as pacientes anoréxicas nutridas. Segundo dados normativos para adolescentes saudáveis de acordo com o sexo e a idade, a aptidão física é gravemente prejudicada em adolescentes anoréxicas do sexo feminino.

Satisfacción sexual en mujeres adultas y adolescentes chilenas usuarias de dos centros de salud universitarios / Sexual satisfaction in Chilean adult and adolescent women using two university health centers

RESUMEN Introducción: La satisfacción sexual es un indicador de calidad de vida que ha ido adquiriendo mayor relevancia en la investigación científica. Objetivo: Comparar el nivel de satisfacción sexual y variables de relación de pareja y comportamiento sexual en mujeres adultas y adolescentes usuarias de dos centros de salud universitarios Métodos: Estudio observacional, transversal y analítico en dos grupos de comparación: mujeres adultas y adolescentes. La satisfacción sexual fue medida mediante la Nueva Escala de Satisfacción Sexual (NSSS). Se aplicó cuestionario sobre datos sociodemográficos, relación de pareja y comportamiento sexual. Se realizó análisis bivariado y regresión logística para evaluar la asociación entre las variables de relación de pareja, comportamiento sexual y nivel de satisfacción sexual según grupo de adultas o adolescentes. Resultados: Participaron 348 mujeres (174 adultas y 174 adolescentes). La mediana de edad de adultas fue 33 años (rango 20-50) y adolescentes de 17 años (rango 14-19). En el 89,9% la experiencia sexual más reciente se dio en contexto de una relación de pareja. El 94,6 % se siente satisfecha con su relación de pareja. Las adolescentes presentan un mayor nivel de satisfacción sexual que las adultas. Conclusiones: En las mujeres adultas cuando la iniciativa sexual es compartida y se sienten satisfechas con la relación de pareja, aumenta la satisfacción sexual. En las adolescentes, aumenta la satisfaccción sexual cuando la actividad sexual se da en un contexto de relación de pareja y tienen una mayor frecuencia de relaciones sexuales.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Sexual satisfaction is an indicator of quality of life that has become more relevant in scientific research. Objective: To compare the level of sexual satisfaction, variables of couple relationship and sexual behavior of adult women and adolescents who are users of two university health care centers. Methods: Observational, transversal and analytical study of two groups: adult and adolescents women. Sexual satisfaction was measured by the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale (NSSS). A questionnaire was applied based on sociodemographic data, couple relationship and sexual behavior. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression were performed to evaluate the variables of couple relationship, sexual behavior and level of sexual satisfaction according to the group of adults or adolescents. Results: 348 women participated (174 adults and 174 adolescents). The average age of adults was 33 years (range 20-50) and adolescents 17 years (range 14-19). In the total trial 89.9% the most recent sexual experience occurred in the context of a relationship. 94,6% feel satisfied with their relationship. Adolescents have a higher level of sexual satisfaction than adults. Conclusions: When adult women feel satisfied with their relationship and sexual initiative is shared, the sexual satisfaction increases. In adolescents, sexual satisfaction increases when sexual activity occurs in a relationship context and when they have a higher frequency of sexual relations

A preliminary study of the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety symptoms in female adolescents maltreatment victims in Mexico / Un estudio preliminar sobre la prevalencia de síntomas de estrés postraumático, depresión y ansiedad en mujeres adolescentes femeninas víctimas de maltrato en México

Abstract: Introduction: Although child maltreatment is related with psychopathologic symptoms, however their clinical prevalence in the general population and more so in specific groups of age and gender, such as female adolescents, has been scarcely documented. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine the prevalence mental illness symptoms ‒such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety‒ in female adolescent maltreatment victims in Mexico. Method: Fifty-five 12-17-year old female adolescent victims of maltreatment (sexual, physical, and emotional abuse) recruited from four different Mexican institutions were evaluated through clinical scales for post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety, in addition to clinical interviews. Results: More than half of the participants presented significant scores of psychopathological symptoms in the three scales evaluated. Discussion and conclusion: The high prevalence of psychopathologic symptoms found in this study suggests that female adolescents who had experienced some form of abuse present highed a susceptibility to develop psychopathology. Results are discussed in the context of their relevance as a public health problem and their implications for professional interventions.

Resumen: Introducción: Aunque el maltrato infantil se ha asociado con síntomas psicopatológicos, se ha documentado poco la prevalencia clínica que tiene en la población general y aún más en grupos específicos de edad y género, como en el caso de mujeres adolescentes. Objetivo: El presente estudio tiene como propósito examinar la prevalencia de síntomas de enfermedades mentales como el trastorno de estrés postraumático, la depresión y la ansiedad en adolescentes víctimas de maltrato en México. Método: Se evaluaron 55 mujeres adolescentes víctimas de maltrato (abuso sexual, físico y emocional) de 12 a 17 años, reclutadas en cuatro diferentes instituciones mexicanas. A todas se les aplicaron entrevistas y escalas clínicas de estrés postraumático, depresión y ansiedad. Resultados: Más de la mitad de las participantes presentaron altos puntajes de síntomas psicopatológicos en las tres escalas evaluadas. Discusión y conclusión: La alta prevalencia de síntomas psicopatológicos encontrada en este estudio sugiere que las adolescentes que experimentaron alguna forma de abuso presentaron una alta susceptibilidad a desarrollar psicopatología. Se discuten los resultados en el contexto de su relevancia como un problema de salud pública y sus implicaciones para las intervenciones profesionales correspondientes.

Comparación de la ingesta de energía y nutrientes en adolescentes mujeres con sobrepeso y obesidad / Comparison of energy and nutrients intake in female adolescents with overweight and obesity

Introducción: El sobrepeso y la obesidad son consecuencia de una modificación de los patrones dietarios y de una actitud cada vez más sedentaria. Objetivos: Comparar la ingesta de energía y nutrientes de adolescentes mujeres con sobrepeso y obesidad. Diseño: Estudio transversal, observacional y analítico. Lugar: Centro Educativo de la zona urbana de Lima. Participantes: Adolescentes entre 10 a 18 años. Intervención: Se estudió 100 adolescentes con sobrepeso y 87 con obesidad. El diagnóstico se hizo mediante el índice de masa corporal (IMC), con la población de referencia de la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) y con los niveles de corte entre 85 y 95 percentil para sobrepeso y más de 95 para obesidad. La evaluación de la cantidad de energía y de nutrientes se realizó mediante un cuestionario de frecuencia semicuantitativo, utilizando la Tabla Peruana de Composición de Alimentos y la del Departamento de Agricultura de los EE UU. Para el porcentaje de adecuación de la energía y para la identificación cuantitativa de la ingesta de vitaminas y mineral se utilizó las recomendaciones de la FAO. El análisis estadístico se hizo con la prueba t-Student para comparación de medias. Principales medidas de resultados: Energía ingerida, adecuación de los nutrientes, cantidad de vitaminas y minerales ingeridos, de acuerdo a los grupos estudiados. Resultados: No hubo diferencia de la ingesta de energía entre los grupos estudiados, y estos valores fueron menores que los requerimientos. La adecuación porcentual mostró que el consumo de las grasas estuvo por debajo del requerimiento; lo mismo sucedió con las grasas saturadas, monoinsaturadas y poliinsaturadas; sin embargo, lo que más se consumió fue la grasa saturada. En cuanto a las vitaminas y minerales, fueron ingeridas en cantidades que cubrían los requerimientos, a excepción de los folatos. La ingesta de fibra fue muy pobre. Conclusiones: Se puede afirmar que el consumo de energía en ambos grupos fue por debajo de su requerimiento, por lo que se podría asumir que la causa de la presencia de estas enfermedades responda a una muy poca actividad física. Por otro lado, el principal problema en la alimentación de este grupo fue la deficiencia en la ingesta de fibra dietaria, de grasa y de folatos.

Introduction: Overweight and obesity result from change in dietary patterns and increasingly sedentary attitude. Objectives: To compare the energy and nutrient intake in female adolescents with overweight and obesity. Design: Cross-sectional, observational and analytical study. Location: Lima’s urban area Education Center. Participants: Adolescents aged 10 to 18 years. Interventions: One hundred overweight adolescents and 87 obese adolescents were studied. Diagnosis was done by body mass index (BMI) with the World Health Organization (WHO) reference population and cutoff levels between 85 and 95 percentile for overweight and over 95 for obesity. Amount of energy and nutrients was determined by a semi quantitative food frequency questionnaire using the Peruvian Table for Food Composition and the Table of the USA Department of Agriculture. FAO recommendations were used to determine the adequate percentage of energy and the quantitative identification of vitamin and mineral intake. Statistical analysis used Student t-test to compare measures. Main outcome measures: Energy intake, ingested nutrients, vitamins and minerals adequacy according to the study groups. Results: There was no difference in energy intake between the groups studied, and these values were lower than requirements. Adequacy of fat consumption, saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats was below requirements; however saturated fat was more consumed. The amount of vitamins and minerals ingested covered requirements except for folates. Fiber intake was very poor. Conclusions: Neither group exceeded energy requirements, so it could be assumed that cause of these conditions was very little physical activity. On the other hand the main problem was dietary fiber, fat and folate intake deficiency.