Adolescer Saudável: screening and follow-up of risk at school

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To characterize adolescents referred to medical consultation based on the screening tool "Perfil de Saúde do Utente Adolescente", and to compare to information gathered from a questionnaire and data assessed during the visit. METHODS: A retrospective and descriptive study, with analysis of the questionnaires filled out by adolescents and their respective medical records, in the period from January 2013 to June 2016. RESULTS: A total of 54 adolescents were seen, 57% male and mean age of 12±1.7 years. In the questionnaire, 37% stated that they had some kind of health problem; 35% would like to change the relationship with their parents; 18% had some concern about safety at school; and 39% made dietary mistakes. Approximately 31% had consumed alcohol, 13% had tried smoking, and 4% had used other drugs. At the first medical appointment, 38% stated they had chronic disease, 11% reported poor family environment, 39% had school problems and 39% made dietary mistakes. About 13% had tried smoking, 24% had tried to consume alcohol, and 2% had tried other drugs. Thirty seven percent of adolescents were referred to adolescent medicine consultation, and 39% to another hospital consultation. CONCLUSION: Many of the biopsychosocial risk items identified through the questionnaire were confirmed during consultation, indicating that it could be a useful screening method for problems linked to the adolescence period.