HEALTH PROFILE OF
EGYPTIAN SCHOOL ADOLESCENTS IN CAIRO AND GIZA GOVERNORATES
Youssef N, Hassan S, El-Sayed Y,
El-Samman G, Mohamed E, Emam H, El-Gendy S, Ali R
Faculty of
Nursing – Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
The objectives of this study were to describe
the physical, physiological, and psychosocial characteristics of male and
female Egyptian adolescents. To describe a set of patterns characterize
Egyptian adolescents’ health habits; to identify their health concern; to
identify the reproductive health needs of female adolescents; and to detect
any health related problems among Egyptian adolescents. A sample of 1000
male and female adolescents (11 – 18 years of age) were randomly selected
from preparatory and secondary schools in Cairo and Giza governorates. Several tools were developed and
utilized to fulfill the study objectives: a questionnaire sheet that
contains social, health habits and health problems data; growth and
development assessment sheet that covers data related to physical, physiological
and psychosocial development; adolescent health concerns questionnaire.
The main findings indicated that the
majority of the subjects were from public schools in Cairo and Giza
governorates (80.0% and 83.8% respectively). Preparatory schools represented
38.0 % and 44.0 %, while secondary schools represented 61.0% and 56.0% in
Cairo and Giza respectively.
Male adolescents accounted for 39.2% and 50.6%, while female
adolescents accounted for 60.8% and 49.4% respectively. More than half of the adolescents
had school related problems and more than 40% of them had previous
injuries. Their main health
concerns centered on their general appearance followed by their feeling of
identity and self-control. Most of the adolescents’ physical and
physiological characteristics were within normal ranges except that female
adolescents suffered from anemia and showed reproductive health related
concerns. The majority of male and female adolescents indicated their needs
for more health information.
The study concluded that Egyptian
adolescents are in need for more health attention of concerned personnel.