文章基本信息

标题：Adolescent Health in the Caribbean: A Regional Portrait
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作者：Linda Halcón ; Robert W. Blum ; Trish Beuhring 等
期刊名称：American journal of public health
印刷版ISSN：0090-0036
出版年度：2003
卷号：93
期号：11
页码：1851-1857
语种：English
出版社：American Public Health Association
摘要：Objectives. This study assessed youth health in the Caribbean Community and Common Market countries and describes the prevalence of health-related factors. Methods. We used a self-administered classroom questionnaire; questions addressed general health, health care, nutrition, sexual history, drug use, mental health, violence, family characteristics, and relationships with others. Results. Most youths reported good health; however, 1 in 10 reported a limiting disability or significant health problems. Violence was a pervasive concern. Of those who reported history of sexual intercourse, many reported that their first intercourse was forced, and nearly half reported that they were aged 10 years or younger when they first had intercourse. Conclusions. Although most young people are healthy, problems indicate the importance of monitoring trends and designing effective youth health programs. The last 2 decades have been marked by significant changes in adolescent health in Caribbean countries. There has been a shift from infectious to social morbidities caused or contributed to by individual risk behaviors and environmental factors 1– 7 concurrent with rising unemployment, increased poverty, and reduced health services. Such societal influences that heighten threats to adolescent well-being signal the critical need for effective interventions that address individual, family, and community factors. 8 Young people aged 10 to 24 years comprise about 30% of the Caribbean population. Until recently, little comprehensive health data on this group have been available. Much research has been focused on a single issue or single country. As governments in the Caribbean concentrate more attention on the health of young people, 9 a more comprehensive picture of youth health becomes increasingly important. Data are needed to design and implement effective programs to improve and monitor trends in youth health over time. This analysis provides a descriptive portrait of youth health in the Caribbean from young people’s perspectives. Theories of adolescent development have evolved to include many interwoven factors associated with the appearance and continuation of behaviors that may affect healthy negotiation of this life stage. These factors include the physical, psychosocial, behavioral, and environmental domains, as well as both internal and external factors. 10– 12 Within a resiliency framework, this study gathered information about assets and potential problems to present an accurate picture of Caribbean adolescent perceptions and behaviors. 13– 14