International Adolescent Health Week is observed from March 15 to 21, 2020 by the Mysore Adolescent Health Academy (MAHA). Here we publish a brief write-up by Dr. S.N. Mothi, Chairman of MAHA and Asha Kirana Charitable Trust,  Hebbal, Mysuru. 

International Adolescent Health Week is a grassroots initiative for young people, their health care providers, their teachers, their parents, their advocates and their communities to come together and celebrate young people and with an ultimate goal of working collectively towards improving the health and well-being of over 1 billion adolescents across the globe today. Ten to nineteen years age group constitute more than 1/5th of India’s population.

Factors affecting Adolescent Health: In social environment, attitudes and norms, relationships with family, mass media, gender discrimination,  risk taking behaviour, tobacco, alcohol, unprotected sex, violence and injury, etc.

Protective factors for Adolescent Health: Caring and meaningful relationships, positive school environment, clear structure and boundaries of behaviour, having spiritual beliefs, encouragement of self-expression, opportunities for participation and contribution will help protect the adolescent health.

Adolescents are vulnerable to sexual promiscuity and drug abuse is on a very high, especially in adolescent age group. Physical injuries, delinquent behaviour, eating and sleep disorders (binge eating, Bulemia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa), reproductive health problems, post-traumatic stress disorders, depression and anxiety, suicidal behaviour and self-harm. 

Barriers preventing adolescents from seeking health services: Many a times, family people and adolescents do not recognise illnesses and are also unaware of consequences; adolescents do not want to draw attention to themselves and they do not know where to go. They fear that health workers may humiliate them by asking difficult questions.  Parental consent is required for counselling but adolescents are not willing for it. There are also concerns about confidentiality. 

NOTE: MAHA under the Presidentship of Dr. S.N. Mothi and Dr. M.R. Prashanth (Secretary) had planned a series of events in various High Schools and Colleges. But in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, awareness and educational programmes have been deferred to next academic year.—Ed