High Morbidity among Urban Adolescent Females: A Cause For Concern

Introduction: In our country, there are an estimated 200 million adolescents, comprising one-fifth of the total population. Adolescent’s problems constitute a bulk of morbidities, which are unrecognized and uncared iceberg of disease burden. Aim and objectives of the present study was planned to find out the health profile of urban adolescent girls and the associated social correlates and other contributory factors in a city of Western Uttar Pradesh. Material and methods: For calculating the sample size, the prevalence of anaemia was considered as the most common health problem in adolescent girls and therefore used for calculating the sample size. With a relative precision of 10%, and prevalence of anaemia as 50% the sample size was 384. In order to have an effective coverage of the sample, the whole area was divided into nine colonies. A house to house survey was done in each colony till 40-45 adolescent girls were covered from that area, so as to cover the desired sample. During home visits, demographic profile of the family was taken along with the interview and examination of adolescent girls aged 10-19 years. Results: 63.7% girls were found to be having one or the other morbid conditions. Maximum girls (77.3%) were having morbidity related to blood and blood forming organs. Overall prevalence of anaemia was 62.2% in adolescent girls. Significant relation of morbidity in girls with caste, socio-economic status, diet and housing conditions was seen.