Socio-economic differences in health among Slovak adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To explore socio-economic health differences among Slovak adolescents.


METHODS
Socio-economic differences in health (psychological health: GHQ-12, vitality and mental health scale of RAND, experienced health complaints, chronic illness, use of medicines, self-reported health, self-perceived vulnerability to illness) were explored among Slovak adolescents (n = 2,616, 1,370 boys, 1,246 girls; mean age 15 years).


RESULTS
Adolescents from lower socio-economic groups (parents' occupation, parents' education, type of school) experienced more health complaints; less frequently experienced their health as excellent or very good, more frequently reported to fall ill easier and less frequently use non-prescribed drugs in comparison with adolescents from higher socio-economic groups. Moreover, adolescents from lower occupational group of parents and lower type of school score significantly lower in mental health and in vitality and used prescribed drugs more frequently. We did not confirm any socio-economic differences in psychological health or prevalence of chronic illness. Our findings confirmed poorer health of girls in comparison to boys. There are no gender differences with regard to socio-economic differences in health.


CONCLUSIONS
There are significant socio-economic health differences among Slovak adolescents.
Geckova
Andrea M
AM
Institute of Social Sciences, Faculty of Science, P.J. Safarik University, Kosice. geckova@kosice.upjs.sk
van Dijk
Jitse P
JP
Zezula
Ivan
I
Tuinstra
Jolanda
J
Groothoff
Johan W
JW
Post
Doeke
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000367:Age Factors; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009790:Occupations; D010290:Parents; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D018154:Slovakia; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations