ADOLESCENT HEALTH

Adolescent

: 10 19

Youth

: 15 - 24

Young people : 10 -24

Adol Health Com FOGSI - 2009-11

 Physical maturing
Psychological maturing
Social maturing

Adol Health Com FOGSI - 2009-11

Importance of Adolescent
Health
Developing Countries
Parents of next generation.
Early menarche
Late marriage
Urbanisation, migration
Less family influence
Exposure to mass media

Changes in social and sexual behaviour

Adol Health Com FOGSI - 2009-11

Adolescence is characterized by
conflicts of values, emotional
stress and readiness to extreme
attitudes, which invariably leads to
several psycho-social problems of
adolescents.

 Puberty is the stage of the lifespan in

which a child develops secondary sex
characteristics.
The average age for girls:- 10-12
The average age for boys 12-14.

Adol Health Com FOGSI - 2009-11

Am I Normal ?
Rapid growth. . .Cause of Concern!

Adolescents have a
fundamental
human right to
accurate and
comprehensive
reproductive and
sexual health
information.

Problems Encountered in Adolescents

Personal and social problems.
Problems of health and physical
self-esteem.
Sex and reproductive health
problems.
Home and family related problems.

Adolescents : Some Facts and

Perceptions
Adolescents between 10-19 years make up
one fifth of Indias population and also a
potential group for contracting HIV.
Adolescent
girls
constitute
a
disproportionate (25%) portion of the 5
million abortions performed annually.

Adol Health Com FOGSI - 2009-11

 High morbidity and mortality associated

with pubertal and adolescent pregnancy.
Cultural practices often involve sexual abuse
or exploitation, and act as barriers to
responsible sexuality.
Boys and girls reveal a poor understanding
of their sexuality and information sources
seem to be media and peers.

 Early marriage in girls

Increasing Population
STIs due to unprotected sexual activity.
Alcohol use and Substance Abuse.
Not aware of contraceptives.

Adol Health Com FOGSI - 2009-11

REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
Organs
Changes developing
Proper Hygenic practices.

Adol Health Com FOGSI - 2009-11

Health implications of sexual dev.

Reproductive tract infections
Sexually transmitted infections
Pregnancy
Sexual abuse
Early sexual involvement
Criminal abortions
Menstrual disorders

Adol Health Com FOGSI - 2009-11

STI
Awareness about STI is essential
Girls- Chlamydia , Neisseria
gonorrhoeae, syphilis, HSV, Trichomonas
vaginalis
Complication : PID Infertility
Boys- urethritis .
HIV awareness too is needed

Nutritional Health
The fastest growth periods of a
person's life.
Nutritional health during
adolescence
- important for supporting the
growing body
-for preventing future health
problems.
Adol Health Com FOGSI - 2009-11

Increased nutritional needs

Calories : boys- 2500-2800 Calories /day
girls- 2200 Calories/day
Protein- 45-60g
Calcium- 1200 mg/day
Iron boys- 12 mg/day
15 mg/day

Say YES to;

Milk & Milk products (Curd, Paneer)
Green vegetables, Fruits, Cereals
Soups, Juices
Regular meals
Balanced Diet

Teenage & Diet / Obesity

Pizza ~ Burger ~ Sandwich
Aerated drinks / Preserved
Juices
Coffee / Cocktails / Mocktails
French Fries
Vada-pav
What more do you like?!
AVOID Food with FAT

Slim v/s fit

Do not starve
NO crash diet, seek professional help
for weight loss (Not to get carried
away with advertisements!)
FITNESS is more important than
looking slim!
YOU CAN avoid nutritional deficiency
by regular, balanced diet intake

ANEMIA

Adol Health Com FOGSI - 2009-11

Why Anemia?
Poor dietary habits?
Are you losing excess blood from your
body?

Cure it urgently.

Anaemia ~ How to deal with it?

Repeated Haemoblobin measurements
Diet rich in iron containing food

Iron supplements to make up for deficit

(as advised by your doctor)

Iron Rich sources

Healthy food habits

Never skip meals or go for crash
dieting.
Have proper breakfast and an early
dinner.
Limit fast food intake to a minimum.
Have at least one fruit a day.
Have salads often and vegetables
daily.

KISHORI SAKTI YOJNA

ICDS
Adolescent girls 11-18 years.
500 Calories + 20-25 g protein

Adol Health Com FOGSI - 2009-11

Exercise & Physical Activity

Does it really HELP? YES,
Improves your strength & endurance.
Bones & muscles becomes more
healthy.
Avoids weight gain.
Reduces anxiety & stress.
Increases self esteem, confidence.

Enjoy outdoor games

 Transition from childhood to adult

Attraction
Fantasies
Mood changesirresponsible,
stubborn
Search for identity and sexual
development create sense of crisis

Life Style
Regular.
Simple.
Optimistic.
Helping hand, interdependence.
Getting involved in humanitarian activities.
Respecting social values & spirituality.

Smoking, drinking, drugs

Smoking is an evil which is best avoided
it can cause cancers, heart disease, early
death.
Avoid alcohol intake.
Drugs are like taking poison stay away.

Spirituality
Unless we develop the spiritual side of our
nature, society cannot combat the evils
that plague society wanton cruelty,
corruption, violence, poverty, injustice,
oppression of the weak, sexual abuse,
terrorism and war the list goes on.
Morality, justice, truthfulness, love,
sacrifice for the common good, peace
and discipline

Moral Decision-making
An important aspect of spirituality
Spiritual empowerment comes through
prayer, self-less service to mankind; serving
ones parents, to be loving, keeping our self
and our ego in disciplined check, courtesy
and humility, firmly upholding the principle
of justice, being self-less or detached etc.
These qualities come through the love of
God.

Say NO to stress
Often we burden ourselves with stress
Always count your blessings in life
Accept circumstances which you
cannot change
Effectively conquer stress before it
engulfs you

Two Important vaccines

for young girls
Vaccine to prevent
Rubella infection (thereby
avoiding birth of a child with
defect)

CERVIX

Cervical Cancer (Cervix is the mouth of

the organ-uterus. Its cancer prevalence is
increasing & is the top most killer for
women)

Cancer Cervix

From
Smile to
Agony

HPV Vaccine is available

to fight against cervical cancer
Two vaccines have been licensed globally for
adolescent girls aged 9-26 yrs
Quadrivalent vaccine.
Bivalent vaccine.
Quadrivalent vaccine
Prevention of: HPV related

Bivalent
vaccine

Cancer Cervix

Prevention of
HPV related

Vulvar & Vaginal cancers

Cancer Cervix

Ano -Genital warts

Recurrent Respiratory
Papilomatosi

PROTECTION-LEGAL
ASPECTS
Age of consent to sexual activity -16 years
-reduces the incidence of
*STI
*teenage pregnancy
* sexual abuse&exploitation
Convention on the Rights of the Child in
1989 (children defined as under 18)against unchecked child labour, child
prostitution and pornography.

PROTECTION OF
ADOLESCENTS
STI & HIV prevention and pregnancy prevention
information
Encouraging health care providers to make their
services youth friendly

ADOLESCENT FRIENDLY HEALTH

SERVICES
(AFHS)

ADOLESCENT FRIENDLY
HEALTH
SERVICES

WHO consultation 2001- AFHS

piloting under Adolescent District
Health Project
Target population- young people
Key elements:
Confidentiality
Flexibility
Well staffed
Information
Partnershipapproach

MENTAL DISORDERS
Conduct and behavioural
disorders
Learning disorders
Anxiety disorders
Teen depression
Juvenile delinquency
Adjustment problems

DELINQUENCY
PREVENTION
broad term for all efforts aimed at preventing
youth from becoming involved in criminal, or
other antisocial, activity.
CHILD GUIDANCE CLINIC
Prevention services include activities :substance abuse education and treatment,
family counseling, youth mentoring,
parenting education, educational support, and
youth sheltering.

ADOLESCENT COUNSELING
School Avoidance
Separation Anxiety
Coping With Chronic Illness
Building Social Competence
Managing Powerful Peer Personalities
Minimizing Family Conflict
Working Through Divorce & Separation
Avoiding Drug & Alcohol Use
Transitioning - High School to College
Accepting Imperfection
Building Friendships