Determining adolescent health information needs: A survey in Geneva, 2022.

Journal: Preventive medicine reports

Volume: 41

Issue: 

Year of Publication: 

Affiliated Institutions:  Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland. Psychology Department, Adaptation, Resilience & Changement Unit of Research, University of Liège, Belgium. Service de Santé de l'Enfance et de la Jeunesse (SSEJ), Département de Instruction Publique, de la formation et de la jeunesse (DIP), Geneva, Switzerland. Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Maternity, Adolescent and Child Health, Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), Geneva, Switzerland.

Abstract summary 

When adolescents feel that their opinions are valued and respected, they are more likely to seek and use health services. Our aim was to identify what health information adolescents in Geneva, Switzerland, want and how much they are willing to participate in health promotion, linking it to international recommendations.Data were collected from 970 adolescents (aged 12-15 years), between September and November 2022, using a classroom-based survey.Adolescents expressed their preferences: the study showed that the topics of sleep, self-perception, biology, mental health, and physical activity received the highest interest. Girls were more interested than boys in the issues of sleep, mental health, violence, and social life. Adolescents' increasing interest in sexuality issues as they get older is inversely proportional to their interest in other issues such as pandemics, medical research, and the environment, which they are more interested in during early adolescence. Everyone over two felt it was important to promote health in their social environment. And more than a third of teens are open to participating in such activities.Adolescents are open to various health subjects, except for pandemics. Age dependent interest highlights the importance of tailoring intervention programs. Adolescents consider health promotion important and are willing to participate, as recommended by the World Health Organization. By involving them as experts in their adolescence, we have taken an essential step. We strongly recommend continuing involving and trusting adolescents in shaping future interventions.

Authors & Co-authors:  Anne-Laure Maxime Denise Nathalie Cindy

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations :  Alamolhoda S.H., Zare E., HakimZadeh A., et al. Adolescent mental health during covid-19 pandemics: a systematic review. Int. J. Adolesc. Med. Health. 2023;35(1):41–60. doi: 10.1515/ijamh-2022-0058.
Authors :  5
Identifiers
Doi : 102682
SSN : 2211-3355
Study Population
Boys,Girls
Mesh Terms
Other Terms
Adolescent;Health information;Health interest;Need;Participatory health research;Public health;Teen
Study Design
Study Approach
Country of Study
Publication Country
United States