Examines adolescents' health-care needs and the barriers that keep young people from receiving services. Explores the role of school-based health services in adolescents' health care and discusses access to care, adolescent demographics and health-risk factors, services and program philosophy, service utilization, and the continuum of care. (RJM)

Surveyed adolescents on their patterns and preferences for health care. The majority usually receive medical care from a private physician. Girls consulted physicians more frequently than boys. As the age of the respondent increased, the proportion visiting pediatricians decreased. A significant proportion of adolescents with health concerns do…

Investigated referral activities of 45 agencies with respect to agency referral patterns and professionals' appraisal of adolescents' health care status. Combined analysis of qualitative and quantitative data provided valuable insight into problems of unmet adolescent health care needs and underutilization of adolescent health care services.…

Asserts that cognitive skills that develop during adolescence are crucial to successful contraceptive practice and that practitioners must understand special developmental setting in which adolescent sexual growth and experimentation occur in order to impact contraceptive use. Demonstrates how health and medical providers can work together to…

Presents an analysis of the health-care needs of Brazilian adolescents. The issues highlighted are adolescent morbidity and mortality, current delivery of adolescent health care, and future directions of adolescent programs in Brazil. (JAC)

Surveyed national sample of 844 community health nurses to assess their knowledge of, attitudes toward, involvement with reproductive health services. Slightly more than 50 percent of nurses provided or administered contraceptive services to adolescents. Ninety-five percent agreed that contraceptives should be available to adolescents; 90 percent…

Addresses the need for comprehensive health care services directed toward adolescents, outlining a multidisciplinary team program designed to provide such services. Discusses the national problem of teenage pregnancy and the multidisciplinary team's success with family planning counseling. Strongly encourages the development of more school- or…

Examined self-reported depressive symptoms of inner-city adolescents (n=966) coming to health center for routine care. Thirty-eight percent indicated never being depressed. Of 573 who reported some depression, 78% reported infrequent symptoms, and 22% reported symptoms at least weekly. Explored relationships between frequently feeling depressed…

Paper describes adolescent health counseling program of HIP-AMHT (Multiphasic Health Testing Program). Data on health attitudes and behaviors, related psychological problems, and self-expressed needs for information is presented. Study concludes that adolescents exhibit interest in health care and are motivated to participate in health care…

Examines data on 1,759 adolescents to assess the effect of low socioeconomic status on their health. Results confirm the relationship between income and health. Explains how the pathway to poor health care operates through the social environment, lifestyle differences, access to care, and self-esteem problems. Findings do suggest that physical…

Describes a pilot family planning program in an inner-city pediatric practice. Male adolescents were more likely to accept contraceptives if the provider first raised the topic of birth control to them. Identified a desire for anonymity/confidentiality and embarrassment or discomfort as the key reasons for not seeking contraceptives. Emphasizes…

Examines the involvement of 39 school nurses in curricula related to human reproduction, including contraception. Results suggest that the nurses are significantly involved in teaching about reproductive health and sexuality. Data about nurses' involvement provides a basis for evaluating their roles and for making recommendations for subsequent…

Interview results provide details on condom use in youth at highest risk for AIDS. Condom use increased with time and age because of positive beliefs concerning condoms and increased awareness of HIV transmission. High-risk youths proved no more likely than lower risk youths to increase their condom use. (RJM)