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Addressing Adolescents’ Health Care Needs - Missing Opportunities

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A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Pediatric Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 March 2023) | Viewed by 20162

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Elisabeth Andrie

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Guest Editor

1. Department of Public and Community Health , University of West Attica (UNIWA), 122 43 Athens, Greece
2. MSc Program "Strategies of Developmental and Adolescent Health", School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, Greece
Interests: public health; health promotion; adolescent health; adolescent health services; youth-friendly services; psychosocial health; sexual health; eating disorders; overweight and obesity internet addiction; bullying; cyberbullying; academic students’ health; well-being and positive youth development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Areti Lagiou

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Guest Editor

Department of Public and Community Health , University of West Attica (UNIWA), 122 43 Athens, Greece
Interests: epidemiology; public health; health promotion; prevention of chronic diseases

Dr. Artemis K. Tsitsika

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Guest Editor

Adolescent Health Unit, 2nd Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “P. & A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
Interests: adolescent health; adolescent development; child development; developmental health; learning difficulties; ADHD; autism spectrum disorder; internet addiction; sexual health; gender dysphoria and sexual orientation; eating disorders; overweight and obesity; family counseling and support; social emotional empowerment; psychoeducation; psychosocial health; adolescent health services; transition services; youth friendly services; pediatric and adolescent gynecology; contraception; school refusal; COVID-19 pandemic
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Adolescence is a central developmental stage that constitutes the major transition between childhood and adulthood. As significant physical, psychological, and behavioral changes occur during this period, adolescents require a variety of preventive, diagnostic, and treatment services that can respond to their diverse medical and psycho-social health problems. Triggered by biological, social, and cognitive changes, adolescents tend to be more susceptible to risk-taking behaviors, which are a major source of morbidity and mortality and also contribute to poor health outcomes in adulthood.

The need to improve adolescent physical and mental health has become a priority issue worldwide. Providing quality health care for adolescents requires services delivered in a multi-disciplinary setting by health providers who are well trained and sensitive to their developmental needs. While young people develop behavioral and health habits that they will carry during adulthood, a balance must be established between providing clinical services and health promotion activities for adolescents.

The purpose of this Special Issue is to highlight the special health needs and effective health care programs suitable not only for use in the prevention of adolescents’ high-risk behaviors but also in addressing particular aspects of their health, such as chronic conditions, transition services, mental health, sexual and reproductive issues, teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, vaccinations, substance use and abuse, violence, injuries, nutrition and exercise, eating disorders, internet addiction, etc.

We look forward to your contribution. Both reviews and original research articles (qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies) related to this topic are welcome.

Dr. Elisabeth Andrie
Dr. Areti Lagiou
Dr. Artemis K. Tsitsika
Guest Editors

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

public health
health promotion
adolescent health
adolescent health services
youth-friendly services
transition services
psychosocial health
sexual health
eating disorders
overweight and obesity
internet addiction
bullying
contraception
COVID-19 pandemic

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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10 pages, 255 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Growing Up with HIV: Experiences of Transition from Adolescence to Adulthood at Selected Primary Health Facilities in Limpopo Province, South Africa

by Azwinndini Cecilia Mukwevho, Maria Sonto Maputle and Dorah Ursula Ramathuba

Children 2023, 10(5), 798; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10050798 - 28 Apr 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1897

Abstract

Background: Many children who contracted Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) through vertical transmission are now in their adolescent and early adult years. The aim was to explore the experiences of adolescents living with HIV (ALWHIV) during the transition from childhood to adulthood. Methods and Material: The study was conducted at selected primary healthcare facilities in the Mopani and Vhembe districts in July 2021. A qualitative research approach that included contextual, descriptive, and exploratory designs was used. The population comprised 27 ALWHIV who were purposively sampled and enrolled for ART care. Data were collected using in-depth interviews, and the question was “How is it for you as you live with a virus and transit from adolescent to adulthood”. The open coding approach was used to analyse the data. Measures to ensure trustworthiness articulated in Lincoln and Guba’s criteria and ethical considerations were adhered to. Findings: The findings revealed four themes: poor understanding of the disease condition, improved physical health when adhering to ARV treatments, challenges related to sexual maturity and intimate relationships, and parents not disclosing their children’s HIV status. Conclusion: Parents’ delayed and non-disclosure of adolescents’ positive HIV status led to a lack of awareness about the course of the disease, non-adherence to ART, and unsafe sex practices that could increase the risk of HIV transmission and re-infection. To address these multiple obstacles associated with ALWHIV, a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach that is teenager-friendly should be undertaken. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing Adolescents’ Health Care Needs - Missing Opportunities)

14 pages, 314 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hungarian Linguistic, Cross-Cultural and Age Adaptation of Transition Specific Questionnaires in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

by Dóra Dohos, Alex Váradi, Nelli Farkas, Adrienn Erős, Katalin Eszter Müller, Anna Karoliny, Eszter Gombos, Éva Nemes, Noémi Vass, András Tárnok, Péter Hegyi and Patrícia Sarlós

Children 2023, 10(4), 711; https://doi.org/10.3390/children10040711 - 12 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1584

Abstract

Objective: In the TRANS–IBD clinical trial, the outcomes are measured with selected validated questionnaires. Cross-cultural and age adaptations of the Self-Efficacy Scale for adolescents and young adults (IBD–SES), the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ), and the Self-Management and Transition Readiness Questionnaire (STARx) were performed. Methods: Linguistic and cultural adaptation was carried out with the usage of reliability coefficients (Cronbach’s α coefficients, Spearman’s rank correlation), and with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; root Mean Square Error of Approximation [RMSEA], Comparative Fit Index [CFI], and Tucker-Lewis Index [TLI]). Results: 112 adolescents participated in the study (45.5% male, mean age 17 ± 1.98 years). CFA was acceptable in the IBD–SES and the TRAQ. Internal consistency was acceptable in IBD–SES and good in TRAQ (0.729; 0.865, respectively). Test–retest reliability was good in IBD–SES, but below the acceptable threshold in TRAQ (ρ = 0.819; ρ = 0.034). In STARx tools, RMSEA showed poor fit values, CFI and TLI were below acceptable fit values, and internal consistency was not satisfied (0.415; 0.693, respectively), while test–retest reliabilities were acceptable (ρ = 0.787; ρ = 0.788, respectively). Conclusions: Cross-cultural, age-specific adaptation was successfully completed with IBD–SES and TRAQ. Those are comparable to the original validated versions. The adaption of the STARx tools was not successful. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing Adolescents’ Health Care Needs - Missing Opportunities)

12 pages, 558 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of a Physical Activity Online Intervention Program on Resilience, Perceived Social Support, Psychological Distress and Concerns among At-Risk Youth during the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Michal Glaser, Gizell Green, Avi Zigdon, Sharon Barak, Gili Joseph, Adilson Marques, Kwok Ng, Itamar Erez-Shidlov, Lani Ofri and Riki Tesler

Children 2022, 9(11), 1704; https://doi.org/10.3390/children9111704 - 6 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2244

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 restrictions have led to social isolation affecting youth’s health, particularly at-risk youth. Objectives: We examined whether an online mentoring health intervention (OMHI) would strengthen characteristics that can prevent risky behaviors: resilience, perceived social support, psychological distress, and crisis concerns. Methods: Fifty-six secondary-school students participated, 27 in the intervention group and 29 in the control group (mean age 16.18, SD 0.83 vs. 16.62, SD 0.82, respectively). The study took place between March and August 2020. Results: The intervention group was less resilient pre-test, with similar resilience levels as the control group post-test. Intervention group participants presented a significantly higher crisis level pre- and post-test than the control group, as well as an increase in resilience (effect size = 1.88) and social support (effect size = 1.22), while psychological distress significantly decreased (effect size = −1.03). Both groups (intervention vs. control) predicted changes from pre-to-post test for resilience and crisis (adjusted R² = 0.33, p = 0.001 and R² = 0.49, p = 0.0001 respectively). Conclusions: OMHI participation was associated with improved resilience and social support, and decreased psychological distress, making it an effective strategy in health promotion for at-risk youth. An online intervention program combining mentoring in physical activity and interpersonal connections may constitute an effective health promotion strategy for at-risk youth, especially in times of crisis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing Adolescents’ Health Care Needs - Missing Opportunities)

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13 pages, 308 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anticipatory Awareness and Actual Handwriting Performance Measures among Adolescents with Deficient Executive Functions

by Yael Fogel and Sara Rosenblum

Children 2022, 9(11), 1628; https://doi.org/10.3390/children9111628 - 26 Oct 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1484

Abstract

This secondary analysis explores differences and correlations between handwriting anticipatory awareness (time estimation, expected performance, and expected difficulty) before a paragraph copying task and actual performance time and legibility among adolescents with executive function deficits (EFD) versus neurotypical adolescents. Eighty-one adolescents (10–18 years old; 41 with EFD and daily functioning difficulties as per parent reports) estimated their time, expected performance, and expected difficulty before the paragraph copying task using the Self-Awareness of Performance Questionnaire (SAP-Q). Time duration was assessed using the Computerized Penmanship Evaluation Tool (ComPET) software, and legibility was scored using the Handwriting Legibility Scale (HLS). Significant between-group differences were found in actual time duration (ComPET), HLS total score and legibility components, and three SAP-Q questions. Both groups estimated significantly more performance time than their actual performance duration. The adolescents with EFD underestimated their performance before the handwriting task. Significant correlations were found between actual performance, anticipatory awareness, and Executive Function (EF) in both groups. Their performance predictions were significantly correlated with their EF and product’s legibility. The results highlight the potential relationships between anticipatory awareness and actual handwriting performance (time duration and legibility) of adolescents with and without EFD. Further studies may analyze the benefits of focusing on both EF and anticipatory awareness for handwriting improvement among populations with EF deficits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing Adolescents’ Health Care Needs - Missing Opportunities)

12 pages, 1355 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vaccination Coverage during Childhood and Adolescence among Undergraduate Health Science Students in Greece

by Elisabeth K. Andrie, Evanthia Sakellari, Anastasia Barbouni, Artemis K. Tsitsika and Areti Lagiou

Children 2022, 9(10), 1553; https://doi.org/10.3390/children9101553 - 13 Oct 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2116

Abstract

High rates of vaccination coverage in childhood represent one of the most important cost-effective tools of primary prevention and have substantially reduced the incidence of and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases globally. Vaccination coverage of young people has not been well estimated in Greece. Anonymous self-completed questionnaires and the participants’ Child Health Booklet were used to estimate complete vaccination coverage of mandatory vaccinations against vaccine-preventable diseases of undergraduate students at the University of West Attica during the academic year 2020–2021. Student’s t-tests were used to estimate mean values. Overall, 79% (95% CI: 78–81%) of study participants were fully vaccinated. This coverage was lower in males especially for vaccines that should be done during childhood (p = 0.045). High vaccination percentage (>90%) was observed for the meningococcus group A, C, W135, Y, measles-mumps-rubella, hepatitis B and meningitis C vaccine. Nevertheless, suboptimal coverage was assessed for the booster dose of tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, for the human papillomavirus vaccine among girls, for the tuberculosis, for the meningococcus group B, for the pneumococcal, and for the seasonal influenza vaccines. In conclusion, the promotion of routine vaccination programs for young adults needs to be strengthened. An identification system for under-vaccinated students, an efficient reminder system and university campus vaccine program practices should be established, particularly among males. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing Adolescents’ Health Care Needs - Missing Opportunities)

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10 pages, 567 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Perceptions of Sexual Harassment among Adolescents of Four European Countries

by Evanthia Sakellari, Mari Berglund, Elina Santala, Claudia Mariana Juliao Bacatum, Jose Edmundo Xavier Furtado Sousa, Heli Aarnio, Laura Kubiliutė, Christos Prapas and Areti Lagiou

Children 2022, 9(10), 1551; https://doi.org/10.3390/children9101551 - 13 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3088

Abstract

Sexual harassment is a crucial public health issue among adolescents. In order to develop school health promotion programs, there is a need to involve adolescents themselves paying particular attention to their perceptions, beliefs, attitudes and practices. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the adolescents’ perceptions about sexual harassment as well as the ways it could be prevented. Four focus groups were conducted during an online “camp” in autumn 2021, facilitated by members of SHEHAP project research team. Participants were secondary school students from Finland, Greece, Lithuania and Portugal. The qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. Concerning how participants perceive sexual harassment, the themes that emerged were: physically expressed sexual harassment; verbally expressed sexual harassment; virtually expressed sexual harassment; violation of self-determination. Virtual environment; school environment; public environment; familiar environment, were identified as the places where sexual harassment may occur. Finally, in regard to the participants’ views on the prevention of sexual harassment, the following themes emerged: youth education; adult education aiming teachers and parents; professional, peer and family support; official consequences; health education methods. The findings of the current study can be used for the development of school-based programs aiming to prevent sexual harassment among adolescents. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing Adolescents’ Health Care Needs - Missing Opportunities)

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17 pages, 309 KiB

Open AccessArticle

LifeLab: Co-Design of an Interactive Health Literacy Intervention for Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Adolescents’

by Craig Smith, Hannah R. Goss, Johann Issartel, Sarah Meegan and Sarahjane Belton

Children 2022, 9(8), 1230; https://doi.org/10.3390/children9081230 - 15 Aug 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2423

Abstract

Low socioeconomic populations, when compared to more affluent groups, are at greater risk of initiating risky behaviours and consequently developing health complications. Health literacy has been identified as a possible means to improve and sustain positive health behaviours, with adolescence being a time point when such behaviours can be embedded. To develop a meaningful health intervention, it has been recommended that relevant stakeholders be included in the design phase. This formative evaluation study was the second phase of co-design of an engaging health literacy intervention ‘LifeLab’ with, and for, socioeconomically disadvantaged adolescents in Ireland. In Spring 2021, a series of co-design workshops (n = 17) were facilitated with a convenience sample of adolescents from socially disadvantaged areas (n = 22) to gather their perceptions, feedback, and suggested changes on the LifeLab learning activities that had emerged from Phase 1 of the work. The data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, resulting in the development of three themes: (i) preferred learning engagement strategies, (ii) practical and logistical considerations and (iii) ideas for LifeLab content. The results highlight the value in adopting a participatory approach, as participants offered an array of suggestions and details to maximise the potential for LifeLab to be contextually relevant and engaging; suggestions which will directly inform the development and implementation of the intervention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing Adolescents’ Health Care Needs - Missing Opportunities)

11 pages, 297 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psychosocial Factors and Sociodemographic Characteristics Associated with Suicidality Risk in Chilean Adolescents

by Christianne Milena Zulic-Agramunt, Iris Paola Guzmán-Guzmán, Pedro Delgado-Floody, Monserrat Belén Cerda Saavedra, Patricio Gutierrez De La Fuente, Mario Meza Solano, Claudia Sagredo Berrios and Carles Pérez Testor

Children 2022, 9(8), 1185; https://doi.org/10.3390/children9081185 - 8 Aug 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2276

Abstract

Background: Suicidality in adolescents is a growing concern and is currently a public health issue in Chile and the world. Objective: To determine the association between the risk of suicidality with self-harm, sociodemographic parameters (that is, gender and type of school), psychosocial variables, and social and family support in Chilean adolescents. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 829 (377, 45.5% girls) children/adolescents between 10 and 19 years of age participated. Suicidality, self-esteem, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and social support perception were evaluated by standard, validated questionnaires. The presence of self-harm, dating violence, and family dysfunction was also evaluated through a self-report survey. Results: Suicidality risk was related to low self-esteem (OR = 9.73; 95%; CI = 6.62–14.28; p < 0.001), low HRQoL (OR = 5.0; 95%; CI = 3.51–7.13; p < 0.001), low social support (OR; 3.38, 95%; CI; 2.48–4.6; p < 0.001), and self-harm (OR = 8.03; 95%; CI = 5.69–11.33; p < 0.001). In family terms, suicidality risk was associated with exposure to physical (OR = 2.47, 95%CI; 1.69–3.6; p < 0.001) and psychological (OR = 1.78, 95; 1.33–2.39; p < 0.001) aggression between parents, and with considering their family dysfunctional (OR = 2.41 95%; CI = 1.69–3.41; p < 0.001). Finally, suicidality was associated with feeling mistreated by a boyfriend/girlfriend (OR = 2.18; 95% CI = 1.19–3.98; p = 0.011). Conclusion: Suicidality was associated with self-harm, low social, psychological and family well-being, and/or feeling mistreated by a boyfriend/girlfriend. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing Adolescents’ Health Care Needs - Missing Opportunities)

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9 pages, 1341 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

The Mental Well-Being of Italian Adolescents in the Last Decade through the Lens of the Dual Factor Model

by Michela Bersia, Lorena Charrier, Paola Berchialla, Alina Cosma, Rosanna Irene Comoretto and Paola Dalmasso

Children 2022, 9(12), 1981; https://doi.org/10.3390/children9121981 - 16 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1934

Abstract

(1) Background: In Italy, the components of adolescents’ mental well-being (psychological symptomatology and cognitive perception of life satisfaction) showed different temporal trends, suggesting the adoption of a multidimensional conceptualization. We aimed to assess temporal patterns and provide additional insights into Italian adolescents’ mental well-being in the last decade by adopting the Dual Factor Model; (2) Methods: We used nationally representative samples of Italian students (n = 165,000) aged 11, 13, and 15 years across the three more recent Italian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) surveys. Two measures of mental well-being were used: life satisfaction (LS, indicator of positive subjective well-being) and psychological health complaints (PHC, indicator of mental illness); (3) Results: Our study showed that the overall sample has been moving from a Complete Mental Health (Flourishing) to an Incomplete Mental Illness (Struggling) condition. Among 13- and 15-year-old girls, a jump from one to the other mental condition was observed in the 2014–2018 and 2010–2014 time periods, respectively; (4) Conclusions: Our findings suggest that Italian adolescents, especially older girls, have been shifting from Complete Mental Health to Incomplete Mental Illness in the last decade. Further research is needed to investigate this breaking up of the connection between psychological symptomatology and cognitive perception of life satisfaction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing Adolescents’ Health Care Needs - Missing Opportunities)

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