A Study of Common Morbidities Among Adolescent Girls in the Urban Slums of Silchar, Assam

Abstract

BACKGROUND Adolescent problems constitute a bulk of morbidities, which are unrecognised and uncared among iceberg of disease burden. Adolescent girls are the mothers of tomorrow, hence the health of the girls of today will affect the health and survival of the future generation.The objective of this study is to study the common morbidities among the adolescent girls and to assess the various sociodemographic correlates affecting the morbidities in the urban slums of Silchar, Assam. MATERIALS AND METHODSA cross-sectional study was conducted in the urban slums of Silchar, Assam, from June 2016 to May 2017 among 500 adolescent girls aged 10 to 19 years. The data were collected in a predesigned and pretested schedule by interview method and house to house visit in the selected slums, so as to cover the desired sample. During home visits, socio-demographic profile of the family was taken along with the interview and examination of adolescent girls. RESULTSIn the present study, it was observed that 69.20% adolescent girls were suffering with one or more morbid conditions. The leading cause of morbidity found were pediculosis (42.77%), menstrual disorder (32.66%), skin problem (16.76%), dental problem (13.58%) and worm infection (11.56%). Pallor (10.69%), defective vision (8.67%), abdominal disorder (6.65%) and ear problem (4.62%) were also observed among the adolescent girls. Significant relation of morbidity in the girls with religion, caste, socioeconomic status, education, family type, diet and personal hygiene was seen. CONCLUSIONIt was found from this study that the morbidities among adolescent girls in the slum areas were much higher. A significant association between the various socio-demographic correlates affecting the morbidities suggest a need to develop strategies for intensive adult education and to improve the living standard of population. Health education may be useful for improving the health status of adolescent girls with the help of health personnel and Non-Government agencies. Besides, there is an urgent need for accessible health services for adolescent girls in the slum areas.