Citation

Silber TJ. Adolescence 1984; 19(74): 493-499.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1984, Libra Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

6464825

Abstract

The health problems of Brazilian adolescents are attributable to economic and cultural underdevelopment, accelerated population growth, and the resultant problems of providing adequate health and social services. In the last decade maternal infant-care improved resulting in lower infant mortality. Increasing urbanization has the effect of the nuclear family replacing the extended family. The majority of Brazilian women either marry or live together in consensual union before the age of 25. School dropouts are numerous with less than half of the population completing high school. Accidents cause most deaths in the 15-24 year old group of men in the United States, Canada, and Venezuela. They are also the leading cause of mortality in Brazil. Suicide is more frequent among male adolescents than among females. Homicide is highest among males in the 20-24 year age group. Pregnancy and abortion complications cause high mortality in Brazilian female adolescents aged 15 to 24. Traditional medical problems continue to cause a high number of adolescent fatalities including infections (pulmonary diseases and tuberculosis), heart disease (sequelae of congenital heart disease and rheumatic fever), and malignant tumors (leukemia and solid tumors). Morbidity resulting from accidents is high among young people: for every fatality of an accident, 10-13 are severely injured and 30-40 mildly injured. Venereal disease, particularly gonorrhea, had increased in the 1970's, and it is increasing among teenagers. In the 15-19 age group there is a similar distribution of sexually transmitted disease among both sexes. Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking habits can also be traced back to adolescence. Health services designed to serve adolescents is a recent development in Brazil. A number of excellent teams are working to improve the health of Brazilian adolescents. These Brazilian programs are at various stages of development. The large number of Brazilian youths at times discourages the implementation of adolescent health care projects, still the work continues aided by the support provided by international agencies.

Language: en