PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide an exploration of the global attitudes towards reproductive healthcare by adolescent patients, and to review key points in promoting healthy sexual development among adolescents and appropriate guidelines for communicating within the adolescent population. RECENT FINDINGS: The adolescent's perception of healthcare providers and communication with adolescents are inextricably intertwined, hence the need to address both topics. In addition, we will briefly examine the topic of female circumcision and its impact on women's sexuality. It is necessary to approach this subject because of the increase in the number of individuals that emigrate each year to the United States and Canada from countries that still practise female circumcision. Providing reproductive care for these women has considerable implications for gynecologists and other healthcare providers dealing with reproductive care issues. SUMMARY: Healthcare providers who are aware of adolescent patients' developmental stage and cultural diversity are more able to gain the trust of their patients, and consequently are more effective at addressing their needs.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Sensation seeking and symptoms of disruptive disorder: association with nicotine, alcohol, and marijuana use in early and mid-adolescence.

This study examined the association of Sensation Seeking and symptoms of Disruptive Disorders and investigated the associations of each with the risk of nicotine, alcohol, and marijuana use in 11- to 14-yr.-old boys and girls from psychiatric and pediatric clinics (n = 206). Sensation Seeking and symptoms of Disruptive Disorder were significantly related, and both were associated with drug use. In particular, Sensation Seeking was strongly associated with drug use in early and mid-adolescents seen in a clinical setting. Measurement of Sensation Seeking and symptoms of Disruptive Disorder should help identify and characterize youth who are at increased risk for drug use during early and mid-adolescence-a time when onset of use may be a harbinger of long-term habit.

Alcoholism↗

PubMed2003

Association between vegetarian diet and menstrual problems in young women: a case presentation and brief review.

In the last twenty years, several studies have suggested the existence of an association between vegan diets and adolescent menstrual disorders. We share our experience with this problem and a review of the literature on the subject. We conclude that despite the existence of some evidence to the possible association between vegetarian diet and menstrual disorders, it is still not clear if this association is due solely to the vegetarian diet or due to the overall inadequate nutrition with decreased proportions of fat and protein in the diet. We believe that more prospective, well controlled studies are needed to truly explain this association.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Retrospective analysis of youth evaluated for suicide attempt or suicidal ideation in an emergency room setting.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death in adolescents and a major contributor to morbidity in this age group. The objective of this study was to look at the demographics, major stressors and factors leading to attempting suicide as well as the methods of attempted suicide in adolescents admitted to two hospitals in a medium size city. Medical records were reviewed of adolescents admitted to two area hospitals for attempted suicide between 7/1/97-12/31/99. Coroner's data on completed suicide were also reviewed. In the study period a total of 287 persons aged 21 years or under were admitted for attempted suicide. Mean age was 16.9 years (range 7-21). 53.4% of the total were females and 46.6 were males with the majority of the total being Caucasians (75.6%). Interpersonal conflicts were the most common stressors preceding the attempt; fight with parents 20%, end of a relationship 12%, fight with a significant other 8%. Financial difficulties were the culprit in 10% of the cases. Abuse was not clearly recorded in 64% of cases. In cases where documentation was clear, 60% reported sexual and 67% physical abuse. Nearly half of the patients had a prior psychiatric diagnosis with prior suicide attempt and depression being most common at 27 and 18% respectively. Overdose was the most common method utilized. There were 20 completed adolescent suicides in the area with firearms as the method used in all of them. It is concluded that suicide continues to be a major problem in adolescents. Access to guns may be a detrimental factor in completing suicide. Health care providers may help identify those at risk by routinely screening all adolescents for depression and suicide.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Improved continuation rate of depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate in adolescent mothers.

Poor compliance and high discontinuation rates of Depot-Medroxyprogesterone Acetate (DMPA) and other contraceptive methods are major factors in the continuing problem of adolescent pregnancy. In this study we attempted to determine if providing comprehensive health care for teen mothers and their babies would improve continuation rates of DMPA. Patients who started DMPA between 1/1/96 and 1/1/99 were included. Teen mothers and their babies received all their health care in this clinic, supported by State funding. Key elements regarding DMPA in this clinic were continuity of care, phone and mail reminders of appointments, free DMPA for patients without insurance, counseling at each visit and available evening clinic. In the study period a total of 299 (age 13-22 years) patients were started on DMPA. Fifty-one percent were white, 47% black and 2% others. Sixty-three percent were single, 20% married, 3% cohabitating and 14% undetermined (missing data). Seventy-eight percent had one baby and 22% more than one. A total of 189 patients (63.2%) continued to be compliant after one year of use and 101 patients (33.8% of total) continued beyond the second year. The most common side effect reported was bleeding or spotting (32%), However only seven patients (2.3%) discontinued use because of it. It is concluded that continuity of care (same staff and providers on each visit), regular counseling, flexible hours (evening appointments), financial ease (free DMPA and no visit charge for those without insurance), combined Teen-Tot health visits and regular reminders of appointments may help improve compliance and continuation rates in teen mothers leading to better success in preventing repeat teen pregnancy.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Our adolescents--our future.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Educating adolescents about puberty: what are we missing?

Adolescents undergo significant physical and cognitive changes during their pubertal development. These changes contribute to and impact their future development. Educating adolescents at an early age about their expected development decreases the possible anxiety associated with this period of life and also helps adolescents make better choices in regards to their sexuality. In order to assess the degree of education regarding pubertal development and sexuality, we conducted a survey of late adolescents (Median age 19 years) and parents of adolescents. A total of 409 adolescents (237 females, 172 males) and 124 parents completed the survey. 14.4% of teens (36.6% of males and 2% of females) reported that no one spoke to them prior or during puberty about pubertal development or sexuality issues. Teens receiving some form of puberty/sexuality education did so at a median age of 13 for girls and 15 for boys. More than one source of information was the most common (49%) followed by mother only (20%). 85% of parents reported talking to their teens about pubertal development and sexuality. There were several differences between areas reported covered by parents but not by teens, for example 72% of parents reported talking to their teens about gender differences in growth but only 31% of teens reported being spoken to about that. Areas that are very poorly covered are breast development in boys and sexual assault/date rape in girls at 5% and 26% respectively. In summary, it appears that we continue to do a relatively poor job in educating our kids about their development and sexuality and we do it late. Boys are even less likely than girls to be talked to about many areas of pubertal development and sexuality and when that is done, it is done at a later age.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Adolescent violence prevention: a case presentation.

Violence in adolescence has seen an increase since the 1990s with dramatic statistics on violent death and risk behaviors. School violence has been focused upon by a huge media coverage of especially violent cases that could have had some endemic consequences worldwide. We present a case of a 14 year old white male with change in school behavior, strategies for the case investigation, its results, and long term prevention. Other research has shown that preventive measures during pregnancy, infancy and childhood can prevent adolescent and adult delinquency.

Adolescent↗