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[Adolescents' reasons for visiting a doctor]
V Llinares Gómez1, A Serrano Vázquez, M J de Frutos Hernansanz
1Centro de Salud Santa María de Benquerencia, Toledo.
Atencion Primaria
|May 15, 1994
Summary
Adolescents utilize health services less than adults, with respiratory and skin issues being common reasons for visits. Primary health care for this age group needs improvement to address their specific health needs.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Adolescent healthcare utilization patterns are not well-understood.
- Understanding adolescent health service use is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate adolescent healthcare utilization in a specific health area.
- To identify the reasons behind adolescent medical service attendance.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive epidemiological study utilizing a crossover design.
- Analysis of 717 clinical records of adolescents aged 14-18 years from July 1992 to June 1993.
- Systematic sampling from a larger cohort of 2127 records.
Main Results:
- Adolescent attendance rate was 2.15 visits per year, with females attending more than males.
- Common reasons for visits included respiratory diseases, dermatological conditions, and general prescriptions.
- Specific conditions like upper respiratory infections, tonsillitis, and acne were frequent individual causes for seeking care.
Conclusions:
- Adolescents generally use health services less than the general population.
- Physiological changes and physical activity contribute significantly to adolescent health issues.
- There is a need for enhanced primary health care services tailored to adolescent needs.