title: Health-related interests of Georgian adolescents.
abstract: The aim of the study was to find out what adolescents in Georgia would like to know about health. Pupils of 6-10 grades (11-17 years old) (n=524) of the focus schools (secondary schools where FRESH program is being implemented) were investigated. A method of participatory research (so called social anthropologic approach) was applied. The study was anonymous. It yielded 3756 questions in total. The questions dedicated to health-related issues made up 36.8% for group I (11-13y.o.), 45,75% for group II (14-17y.o.), 40.5% -- total. The interest in different somatic and psychological problems and diseases was the same in both age groups (14,3%). Interest in sexual items was higher in later adolescents (group I -- 10.58+/-0.66%, group II -- 14.97+/-0.90%, p<0.05). Girls have shown more interest in diseases and common medical problems (M -- 27.3+/-3.2%, F - 45.2+/-2.6%; p<0.05). Boys were more interested in sexual behavior (M -- 40.2+/-3.6%, F -- 25.2+/-2.3%; p<0.05). There was shown a purposefullness of applied research methodology.
authors.affiliation: Tbilisi State Medical University, Tbilisi.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bouche
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Simonia
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Phagava
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tabidze
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pagava
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005846:Georgia (Republic); D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires