Adolescent health concerns: a comparison of adolescent and health care provider perceptions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to ascertain adolescent perceptions of health concerns and to contrast the health care provider perceptions of adolescent concerns. The student sample consisted of 179 students from the 9th, 10th, and 11th grade in a 2,000-student suburban high school. The health care provider sample consisted of 74 physicians, nurse practitioners, and school nurses. The largest number of students reported concerns about AIDS, schoolwork, making friends, sex, discrimination, and dental problems. Additionally, menstruation, violence, rape, abuse, pregnancy, sadness, and obesity were of concern to a greater number of female than male students. Homosexuality, sex, auto accidents, and low weight were of concern to a greater number of male than female students. The findings of this study support the following conclusions: (a) Adolescents have more diverse health concerns with greater magnitude than expected by health care providers; (b) health care providers underestimate adolescent psychological and social health concerns; (c) female adolescents were more concerned about their health and more concerned about gender-specific and violent issues than males; (d) women's health care providers are unaware of female adolescent concern about violent acts against women.