The morbidity pattern among adolescents visiting Primary Health Care Centers

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine the morbidity pattern among Saudi adolescents in Riyadh City.

METHODS: A cross sectional survey comprising 1473 (852 males (58%) and 621 females (42%)) Saudi adolescents aged 11 to 21 years old, visiting 10 primary health care centers, selected randomly in Riyadh city, who were invited to complete a 23 item questionnaire. Part of the questionnaire was designed to be completed by the doctor, and includes the diagnosis of the current problem or chief complaint and any chronic illness. The other part to be completed by the adolescent and includes the question - reason for attending the clinic. These questionnaires were collected within a period of one month from 15 May to 15 June 1998.

RESULTS: Upper respiratory tract infection constituted 43% of adolescent complaints. Two hundred and seventy adolescents have a chronic illness i.e. 18% of the study sample, bronchial asthma being the most common at 10%.

CONCLUSION: Improvement of the care of chronic illnesses in primary health care centers is needed. Establishment of health education programs about self-treatment of upper respiratory tract infections (the most common complaint) at home would result in a decrease of the load on the health system.