The teenager as a medical patient: The influence of social factors on the health care activity of teenagers in the field of reproductive health

Abstract

Background: Teenagers tend to abandon the programs of preventive and therapeutic medical care established for them in infancy by their pediatricians and parents. Purpose: To assess the influence of social factors on the health behaviours of Belarusian teenagers in the field of reproductive health. Material and methods: We analyzed the medical activity of Belarusian teenagers ages 15 to 18 during (March through June 2010) using a questionnaire. The sample of 463 females and 486 males representatively reflects the set of teenagers of Belarus. Results: In the group of adolescents interviewed, it was revealed that medical activity was insufficient; medical knowledge is mismatched with their requirements for health. Among social factors, such as accommodation, education of parents, socioeconomic status, and family structure, the last one appeared to be the most significant. Within families, teenagers more often received information concerning reproductive health from their mothers. Problems related to reproductive health were ranked differently depending on the age and gender of the teenagers. A positive dependence on timely reference for medical aid based on the educational level of parents was found. Conclusions: The medical activity of teenagers is insufficient, and their health care knowledge in the field of reproductive health does not align with their requirements for health.