Publication:

Psychosocial status and quality of life of adolescent girls in Karnataka, India

Background This study was conducted with the objective to assess the psychosocial status and quality of life (QOL) of adolescent girls in Karnataka, India.

Methods This was a cross sectional community based study which was conducted on 400 adolescent girls each in rural (Bellary district) and urban (Bangalore district) areas of Karnataka, India. WHO’s ‘HEEADSSS’ questionnaire and ‘WHOQOL-BREF’ tool have been used to assess psychosocial status and quality of life of adolescent girls, respectively.

Results It was observed that nearly 5% girls were at severe and very severe risk of developing psychosocial abnormalities in both rural and urban study area. The mean QOL score was highest for social relations (7102±21.6) and was minimum for physical domain (49.59±12.63).

Conclusions This calls for urgent community based interventions directed to adolescents and their families having higher vulnerability for psychosocial abnormalities and poor quality of life.