Thailand's adolescent health situation: prevention is the key

BACKGROUND: Adolescence is generally a period of good physical health, but future health problems may begin at this age due to exposure to risk factors for diseases. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the health situation of adolescents (age 13-18years) in Thailand in order to derive guidance for the refinement and calibration of the medical curriculum and enhance health service provision to adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHOD: National data from Thailand's 3 major health care systems, regarding; the causes of out-patient visits, in-patient admissions and deaths in the fiscal year 2010 were analyzed. RESULTS: The leading causes of out-patient visits were (1) factors influencing health (2) respiratory infections (3) diseases of the digestive system (4) injury and poisoning and (5) external causes of morbidity and mortality. The leading causes of admissions were (1) pregnancy (2) injury and poisoning and (3) arthropod-borne viral fevers. The leading causes of hospital deaths were (1) injury and poisoning (2) neoplasms and (3) other infections. CONCLUSION: The majority of the causes of morbidity and mortality were related to psychosocial factors and engagement in high risk behaviors. Language: en