[Subjective health complaints and psychological distress in adolescents aged 15-19 years in Poland].
OBJECTIVE
To analyse the relationships between selected subjective health complaints and psychological distress of 15-19 yrs old adolescents in Poland.


METHODS
The health survey of the population was conducted by the Central Statistical Office in 1996 in 19203 households inhabited by 62749 people. Dates were received from 5407 adolescents of 15-19 yrs, using AZD-2 questionnaire. Questions concerning subjective health complaints and psychological distress, tested by modified scale GHQ-12 (General Health Questionnaire), was answered by 3708 adolescents.


RESULTS
Subjective health complaints reported 1.9-27.5% of adolescents in the age of 15-19. They experienced feeling nervous and irritability the most often (more than 20% under survey), the most rarely -- insomnia and apathy. Every tenth questioned adolescent at the age 15-19 experienced psychological distress. Psychological distress occurred more often in girls, people living in town and raised with age. Risk of subjective health complaints was higher for people with distress. The highest risk (8 times) was for apathy and insomnia. Psychological distress increased the risk of subjective health complaints for boys more than for girls.
Tabak
Izabela
I
Zakład Medycyny Szkolnej, Instytut Matki i Dziecka, Kasprzaka 17a, 01-211 Warszawa, Poland. itabak@imid.med.pl
Ostrega
Wislawa
W
Biernacka
Boguslawa
B
Jodkowska
Maria
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007508:Irritable Mood; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires