Introduction
This topic covers the medico-social problems of adolescence (acceleration, mental health, violence, alcohol, drugs, tobacco, injuries) and the prevention of the most common diseases up to 18 years of age.
Medico-social problems
Adolescence: young people aged 10-19 years by the WHO (14-18 in the practical book), thought of as a healthy group. The development of children is related to the impact of different social and biological factors that determine specific medical and social problems during infancy and adolescence.
Adolescents do die prematurely from:
- Accidents
- Suicide
- Pregnancy complications
- Chronic illnesses
Adulthood diseases have roots in adolescence: smoking, tobacco use, HIV, and poor exercise and eating habits.
Most common medico-social problems
- Accelerated growth and sexual maturation
- Influence of informal groups on behavioural choice
- Unhealthy eating, decreased physical activity, psycho-emotional stress
- Social adaptation and mental health problems
- Acceptance of unhealthy lifestyle habits: smoking, alcohol and drug abuse
- Injuries are more common
Acceleration
Acceleration is quicker development of the human organism (“social infantilism”):
- Higher indices at birth
- Earlier teeth
- Earlier menarche
- Earlier finish of growth
Problems due to acceleration
- Earlier sexual life
- No sense of social responsibility
- Non-adapted school programmes
- Military service problems
- Earlier drug abuse, tobacco smoking and alcohol drinking, leading to violence