Self-Reported Health Status and Use of Medical Care by 3500 Adolescents in Western Sweden. I |
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Authors: | KRISTINA BERG KELLY MARIANNE EHRVÉR TORBJÖRN ERNEHOLM CHRISTER GUNDEVALL INGELA WENNERBERG LENA WETTERGREN |
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Institution: | Department of Paediatrics I, Östra Sjukhuset, Gothenburg University;Partille Primary Care Centre;Tjörn Primary Care Centre;Kungsbacka Ambulatory Paediatric Services;Lindälv School Health Services;Partille Ambulatory Paediatric Services, Gothenburg, Sweden |
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Abstract: | ABSTRACT. Some 3500 adolescents answered a questionnaire anonymously. The sample represented 85 % of the students between the ages 13 to 16 and 65 % of the students between 17 to 18 in the three communities studied. The students all had middle class backgrounds. Self-reported illness differed considerably from data found in epidemiological surveys. The self-reported medical panorama was dominated by concerns about acne, tiredness, headaches, stomach pains, sports injuries and allergic disorders. One quarter to one third of the students reported such problems. Overall, 85% of the students reported that they were "completely healthy", at the same time as they also reported an average of 3.1 medical complaints. Self-initiated appointments with physicians were reported with an average of 5.5 during the last year, which is high. About 40% of the students had one complaint for which they wanted to see a physician. About 15% reported that they had had suicidal thoughts. |
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Keywords: | adolescents health status healthy behaviour self-reported health suicidal thoughts use of medical services school health |
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