[Use of primary care services by adolescents and detection of health problems other than those for which they came].

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To detect in young people requesting Primary Care treatment the presence of hidden health problems common to this age-group and to evaluate the factors which may affect their being rarely mentioned.

DESIGN:

Descriptive study.

PARTICIPANTS:

Young people between 14 and 19 who attended two clinics at the Pola de Lena Health Centre from April to July 1994. The survey, using a personal interview, was aimed at the detection of acne, obesity, oral contraceptives, alcohol consumption and depressive disorders.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

138 young people (57 male and 81 female), with an average age of 16, requested care. 74.4% attended the consultation in company, although in 62.4% of cases the initiative was their own. The most common consultation was for acute infectious conditions (40.6%). 108 young people (78.3%) were interviewed, with 60 cases of acne, 25 of obesity and 28 possible depressive disorders being detected. We detected no cases of alcoholism or of uncontrolled oral contraception. For 64.3% of these problems, they had never consulted the doctor: they had consulted least for depressive disorders (3.6%). The commonest alleged reasons for not consulting were not being aware of the problem, indifference, ignorance of the condition's risks and consequences or of the existence of effective treatment.

CONCLUSIONS:

There are health problems of some importance about which young people requesting care do not consult. These problems should be actively detected and tackled, taking advantage of young people's attendance at the Health Centre for other reasons.

• Authors: R Colino Nevot, A Fernández Barrero, A Picasso Martínez de Ubago
• Journal: Atencion primaria (Aten Primaria) Vol. 16 Issue 10 Pg. 594-600 (Dec 1995) ISSN: 0212-6567 [Print] Spain
• Vernacular Title: Utilización de la consulta de atención primaria por los adolescentes y detección de problemas de salud no demandados.
• PMID: 8555390 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Contraceptives, Oral

Topics

• Acne Vulgaris (diagnosis)
• Adolescent
• Adolescent Behavior
• Adult
• Alcohol Drinking
• Alcoholism (diagnosis)
• Contraceptives, Oral
• Depressive Disorder (diagnosis)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Obesity (diagnosis)
• Primary Health Care
• Risk Factors
• Surveys and Questionnaires