scholarly journals Adolescents’ use of health services in Alexandria, Egypt: association with mental health problems

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 64-71
Author(s):  
M. Afifi

The study assessed patterns of health service use by adolescents and the association with mental health problems in Alexandria, Egypt. A systematic stratified r and om sample of 1577 school students aged 14-19 years completed a self-report questionnaire about demographic and health status, use of health services in the previous year, and the Children’s Depression Inventory and the Adolescent Self-Report Aggression Scale. Overall, 97.1% of students reported using school health clinics once or more in the year before the study, 93.7% primary health centres, 16.8% mental health services and 13.6% other health services. A history of organic illness in the previous year [OR = 1.80], having depressive symptoms [OR = 2.93] and having aggressive symptoms [OR = 5.53] were significantly associated with frequent use of health services [

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 801-811
Author(s):  
Dat Tan Nguyen ◽  
E. Pamela Wright ◽  
Tam Thi Pham ◽  
Joske Bunders

Abstract The objectives of the study were to explore the experiences of school health officers in identifying and managing mental health problems of secondary school students and to gather recommendations from the school officers for improving the effectiveness of mental health care in secondary schools in Can Tho City, Vietnam. We conducted a qualitative study based on in-depth interviews using a semi-structured guideline with 15 school health officers at 15 secondary schools in Can Tho City, Vietnam. Data were analyzed using content-driven analysis to identify recurring themes. The school health officers reported that stress, depression, suicidal ideation, and sexual orientation issues were the most commonly encountered mental health problems among their students. The officers worked with a limited range of interventions for helping these students, such as giving non-narcotic analgesics or advising students to take a short break at school or to go home. Most of them felt that their training was insufficient to deal with mental health problems in an optimal way. They recommended further training to improve their knowledge and skills in recognizing and managing mental health problems in students. They also considered a university-sponsored mental health website a good source of information on mental health care for students. School health officers reported that they did not feel well equipped to manage mental health problems because of insufficient training, lack confidence, and absence of an appropriate network for advice and referral. Updated policies and programs are needed for initial training and refresher courses, which will strengthen the role of school health officers as first line support for secondary school students with mental health problems.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. S487-S487 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Staiger ◽  
T. Waldmann ◽  
S. Krumm ◽  
N. Rüsch

Introduction/objectivesMental health problems were shown by different studies to be both: results of and risk factors for unemployment. However, unemployed people with mental health problems often have difficulties in finding and using mental health services and therefore do not benefit from therapies. Because unemployed individuals outside the healthcare system are a hard-to-reach group, barriers to but also facilities for mental health services are poorly understood.AimsThe aim of the study is to identify barriers and facilitators of help seeking and service use, based on experiences of unemployed people with mental health strains.MethodsWe conducted 15 qualitative semi-structured interviews with unemployed individuals, facing self-reported mental health problems or mental illness. Topics included individual experiences with help-seeking and mental health service use, with a focus on barriers and facilitators. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and major themes were identified.ResultsPatients fear adverse reactions of psychiatric medication. They report to be treated as “different” by their social environment and health professionals, which leads to a lack of self-esteem and inhibits them in their help seeking efforts. Social support and desire for change on the other hand can be strong motivational factors in searching for help.ConclusionPerception of GPs towards mental health issues of their patients, and especially unemployed patients, has to be raised. Stigmatization of mental illnesses and help seeking should be reduced in practical context.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Pakzad ◽  
Paul-Émile Bourque ◽  
Jimmy Bourque ◽  
Tim Aubry ◽  
Lise Gallant ◽  
...  

The At Home / Chez Soi demonstration project was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of the Housing First model in 5 Canadian cities. Using a randomized controlled trial design, this study evaluates the impact of this project on the use of health services by people with severe and persistent mental health problems and a history of homelessness in the greater Moncton area. The sample comprised 193 homeless persons, 95 in the control group and 98 in the treatment group. The results show a significant difference between the 2 groups only in the number of days of hospitalization, particularly in the psychiatric unit. Factors associated with the use of health services by people who are homeless and who have severe mental health problems need to be further investigated.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
V Jureša ◽  
M Posavec ◽  
S Latković Prugovečki ◽  
V Musil ◽  
M Majer ◽  
...  

Abstract Issue Adolescent mental health problems are a leading health problem in this population and remain unrecognized for a long time. The aim of this study was to examine the mental health problems with YP-CORE test as a part of regular school health periodic examination of first-year secondary school students (ages 15-16). Description of Problem Study included 392 first-year Zagreb secondary school students (74.5% girls) academic year 2019/2020. Data were collected by YP-CORE test ten questions about feeling over the last week. The students provided informed consent, and testing was done during regular periodic examinations. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results At risk of mental health problems were 7.5% of girls (22/292) and 2.0% of boys. Nine girls (3.1%) had a low overall score, ≤ 19 points, which would mean little risk but had a positive answer to the question 'I've thought of hurting myself'. Ten girls (3.3%) had a score of ≥ 20, which meant an increased risk and a particularly positive answer was the 'I've thought of hurting myself' question. Three girls (1%) had a score of ≥ 20, which meant an increased risk with no additional risk of auto-aggression. The results in the boys are completely different. Two students, 2% (2/100) had a total score of ≥ 17, which meant an increased risk and a particularly positive answer was the 'I've thought of hurting myself' question. All recognized risk students are immediately involved in the counseling of the School and University Medicine Counseling Services provided by every secondary school in Croatia. Lessons The results of the study showed that mental health problems have 6.1% secondary school students with gender differences, girls 7.5%, boys 2%. School health service developed a protocol for students at increased risk. The first step is school medicine specialist interview with the student, then with the parents and the student, and second step including school staff and other professionals. Key messages Early identification of mental health problems, timely intervention and continuous monitoring of mental health among secondary school students in Croatia. Counseling service for students should be available within the school health service, implementing preventative measures and working closely with other services and professionals.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. 1202-1202
Author(s):  
Y. Park ◽  
D. Son ◽  
K. Park ◽  
E. Park ◽  
Y. Choi

BJPsych Open ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip J. Batterham ◽  
Alison L. Calear ◽  
Matthew Sunderland ◽  
Natacha Carragher ◽  
Jacqueline L. Brewer

BackgroundCommunity-based screening for mental health problems may increase service use through feedback to individuals about their severity of symptoms and provision of contacts for appropriate services.AimsThe effect of symptom feedback on service use was assessed. Secondary outcomes included symptom change and study attrition.MethodUsing online recruitment, 2773 participants completed a comprehensive survey including screening for depression (n=1366) or social anxiety (n=1407). Across these two versions, approximately half (n=1342) of the participants were then randomly allocated to receive tailored feedback. Participants were reassessed after 3 months (Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ANZCTR12614000324617).ResultsA negative effect of providing social anxiety feedback to individuals was observed, with significant reductions in professional service use. Greater attrition and lower intentions to seek help were also observed after feedback.ConclusionsOnline mental health screening with feedback is not effective for promoting professional service use. Alternative models of online screening require further investigation.


2021 ◽  
pp. 189-202
Author(s):  
E.V. Rezun ◽  
◽  
H.R. Slobodskaya ◽  
N.B. Semenova ◽  
T.O. Rippinen ◽  
...  

The mental health problems among adolescents have long-lasting effects throughout life. However, research evidence indicates that only 10–30% of adolescents who needed mental health care had received specialized help. The present study reports the prevalence of mental health problems and help-seeking among adolescents, taking into account gender and age differences. The sample included 1752 adolescents (47 % boys,) aged 12-17 years. Data were collected on in two Siberian cities (Novosibirsk and Krasnoyarsk) using an international self-report questionnaire developed for the school-based Eurasian Child Mental Health Study. Participants were recruited from 18 schools, students completed questionnaires anonymously during school lessons. Statistical analysis included analysis of variance (ANOVA), multiple regression analysis, and crosstabs using a chi-squared test. The level of emotional and behavioral problems in Siberian adolescents was slightly higher than that found in European and Asian countries. Twenty three percent of adolescents reported frequent headaches (at least once a week), 11 % reported frequent abdominal pain and 14% suffered from frequent sleep disturbances (3–5 times a week or more). Girls reported a significantly higher level of problems than boys, with the largest gender differences for emotional problems, recurrent pains and sleep disturbances. Weekly consumption of alcohol and daily use of nicotine among boys was more common than among girls (3 % and 6 %, respectively), whereas less frequent use of alcohol and nicotine was commoner in girls (16 %) than in boys (10 %); 7 % of boys and girls had tried drugs at least once. Suicidal thoughts were reported by 22 % of adolescents, 6 % reported suicide attempts and 6 % reported repeated self-harm. One third of adolescents considered seeking outside help and 9 % had actually done so. Girls reported more help-seeking than boys; older girls sought help more often than younger and middle-aged ones. Around one third of adolescents sought help from their relatives; 26 % from friends, the Internet or other non-professional sources; 5 % reported seeking help from a doctor or nurse, and 3 % from a psychologist. The most important independent predictors of seeking help were emotional symptoms, suicidal ideation and hyperactivity/inattention. The results suggest a need for future investigation of the factors associated with help-seeking behavior among adolescents. It is also necessary to develop mental health promotion programs for adolescents, interventions to improve mental health literacy and access to mental health care.


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