Psychosocial status and quality of life of adolescent girls in Karnataka, India

Abstract

Background: This study was conducted with the objective to assess the psychosocial status and quality of life (QOL) of adolescent girls in Karnataka, India.Methods: This was a cross sectional community based study which was conducted on 400 adolescent girls each in rural (Bellary district) and urban (Bangalore district) areas of Karnataka, India. WHO’s ‘HEEADSSS’ questionnaire and ‘WHOQOL-BREF’ tool have been used to assess psychosocial status and quality of life of adolescent girls, respectively.Results: It was observed that nearly 5% girls were at severe and very severe risk of developing psychosocial abnormalities in both rural and urban study area. The mean QOL score was highest for social relations (7102±21.6) and was minimum for physical domain (49.59±12.63).Conclusions: This calls for urgent community based interventions directed to adolescents and their families having higher vulnerability for psychosocial abnormalities and poor quality of life.