Publication:

Morbidity and behavioural problems among adolescents in Hajipur village of Katihar district, Bihar

Background Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and mental development that occurs between childhood and adulthood. Adolescence is a gateway to health promotion since key behavior patterns that influence health and longevity have their origin in adolescence. The aim and objectives of the study were to study the morbidity and behavioural problems among adolescents.

Methods A community based cross sectional descriptive study was at Hajipur village, a rural field practice area of Department of Community Medicine, Katihar Medical College, Katihar, Bihar. 400 adolescents (213 boys and 187 girls) were included in the study. Systematic random sampling technique was used.

Results Among 400 adolescents, 25% of the adolescents having some health problem during the survey; predominant problems were psychological and behavioral in nature. 6.25% of adolescents were addicted (tobacco chewing), 1.5% abused drugs, 9.75% were depressed and 7.5% had anxiety disorder. Higher number of adolescents (29%) had history of worm infestation. 9.75% adolescents were suffering from upper respiratory tract infection and also had ear, nose, throat, eye, skin, and or dental problems.

Conclusions The adolescents had higher rate of morbidity and behaviour problems.