Assessing puberty-related health needs among 10-15-year-old boys: A cross-sectional study approach

This study investigated the puberty-related health needs of 10-5-year-old boys in Iran. The literature shows that the growing health problems of adolescents are an important health issue worldwide. The present study was a cross-sectional descriptive survey that applied a stratified-cluster sampling technique to collect data from boys aged 10-15 years in order to assess puberty-related health problems. The survey used a self-reported questionnaire comprising 10 demographic questions with 35 research questions based on five categories: awareness of puberty changes, mood swings, sexual orientation, self-confidence, and health behaviors. Five questions examined education demands. The study used descriptive statistics, chi-square test, regression, and correlation coefficient for quantitative data analysis. The mean age of the adolescents was 11.38 ± ± 4.37 years. There was a significant link between the maternal and paternal educational level and awareness of puberty changes among adolescent boys (p < 0.001). Overall, 69.81% of teenage boys lacked puberty awareness and had not understood puberty and health behaviors, and 87% of the teenage boys had no access to desired educational resources. At the same time, 82% of the boys' families did not disclose puberty changes and hygiene practices. The results indicated a significant positive correlation between adolescents' health behaviors and awareness of puberty changes (r = 0.12 p < 0.007). The results also revealed a positive relationship between self-confidence and health behaviors (r = 0.14, p < 0.001). There is a need among adolescent boys to receive health-related information about puberty. Teenage boys' families play an indispensable role in educating adolescents about puberty and health-related changes.