[Health and nutritional status of delinquent female adolescents].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the health and nutritional status of delinquent female adolescents on admission to a juvenile correctional facility.


METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional study over a 6-year period (1995-2000). Health status was assessed through medical history and physical examination according to standard protocols and individualized complementary laboratory examinations. Nutritional status was assessed using the anthropometric method. Height, weight, head and upper arm circumferences, body-mass index and nutritional index were determined and compared with normal national standards of reference (Z-score). Student's single-sample t-test was used to assess statistically significant differences.


RESULTS
Thirty-five delinquent female adolescents were admitted during the study period. Mean age was 15 years (0.72 SDU) (range: 14-17 years). The most frequently observed health problems were smoking (n 32), drug/alcohol abuse (n 22), high-risk sexual behavior (n 14), psychopathologic disorders (n 12), odontologic diseases (n 11), infectious diseases associated with intravenous drug use and/or high-risk sexual behavior (n 10) [specific vaginitis (n 3), bacterial vaginitis (n 2), AIDS (n 2), hepatitis C (n 2), hepatitis B (n 1)] and incomplete immunization status (n 6). Less prevalent health problems were iron deficiency anemia (n 3), positive pregnancy test (n 2), and dermatological (n 2), ophthalmological (n 2) and neurosensorial (n 1) disorders. No respiratory, locomotor, otorhinolaryngological, cardiovascular or gastrointestinal disorders were observed. Individual and group analysis of established anthropometric parameters and indices showed no growth or nutritional disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
In our environment, delinquent female adolescents arrive at correctional facilities with significant physical, psychological and behavioral problems. This population is especially in need of psychiatric, dental, gynecologic, infectious, and immunization services. The time in custody presents a unique opportunity to address the basic health concerns of this high-risk population and to provide general health education, including education on substance abuse and sex education.
Oliván Gonzalvo
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Servicios de Pediatría y Adolescencia, Instituto Aragonés de Servicios Sociales, Departamento de Sanidad, Consumo y Bienestar Social, Gobierno de Aragón, Spain. DROLIVAN@santandersupernet.com
D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency; D009752:Nutritional Status