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Identifying young people's guidance needs through telephone counseling
B Rasmussen Cruz1, A Hidalgo San Martín, B L Nuño Gutiérrez
1Epidemiological and Adolescent Health Services Research Unit, Mexican Social Security Institute, Jalisco Delegation, Guadalajara, Mexico.
Adolescence
|June 16, 2001
Summary
Young people in Guadalajara expressed distinct health needs via phone calls. Gender and age influenced their concerns, highlighting gaps in current health service statistics.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Young people's health needs are often underrepresented in official statistics.
- Understanding expressed needs is crucial for developing targeted health interventions.
- Previous research has not fully captured gender and age-specific health concerns of adolescents in Mexico.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the health needs expressed by young people aged 11-24 in Guadalajara, Mexico.
- To identify differences in expressed needs based on gender and age.
- To compare these expressed needs with existing health service data.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 345 phone calls made to a Mexican Social Security Institute research unit between June 1995 and November 1998.
- Categorization of callers by age (11-24 years) and gender.
- Qualitative and quantitative analysis of expressed health concerns.
Main Results:
- Females (294 callers) more frequently inquired about sexuality and family issues.
- Males (51 callers) more often sought information on reproductive health (pregnancy) and mental health.
- Significant gender and age-based differences in expressed needs were observed, contrasting with health service statistics.
Conclusions:
- Expressed health needs of young people vary significantly by gender and age.
- Health service statistics may not accurately reflect the actual concerns of adolescents.
- There is a need for tailored health and education programs to address these specific needs and promote healthy behaviors.