Adolescent health in the Caribbean: a regional portrait.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed youth health in the Caribbean Community and Common Market countries and describes the prevalence of health-related factors.


METHODS
We used a self-administered classroom questionnaire; questions addressed general health, health care, nutrition, sexual history, drug use, mental health, violence, family characteristics, and relationships with others.


RESULTS
Most youths reported good health; however, 1 in 10 reported a limiting disability or significant health problems. Violence was a pervasive concern. Of those who reported history of sexual intercourse, many reported that their first intercourse was forced, and nearly half reported that they were aged 10 years or younger when they first had intercourse.


CONCLUSIONS
Although most young people are healthy, problems indicate the importance of monitoring trends and designing effective youth health programs.
Halcón
Linda
L
School of Nursing, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 55455, USA. halco001@umn.edu
Blum
Robert W
RW
Beuhring
Trish
T
Pate
Ernest
E
Campbell-Forrester
Sheila
S
Venema
Anneke
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D017691:Caribbean Region / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012649:Self Concept; D019529:Sexuality; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data