Health Problems of 14–16-Year-Old Schoolchildren: A Follow-up of Previous Health and Behavioural Assessments

Abstract

Health and behavioural assessments of 352 children, previously examined at 10–12 years of age, were followed up at 14–16 years of age within the School Health Services. The health problems of the 14–16-year-olds were more serious than those of the younger children, with the onset of chronic illnesses such as terminal ileitis and diabetes. The prevalence of visual disorders increased, mainly with the development of myopia in 15.6% of all children. The functional importance of allergic disorders diminished with age. Twelve percent of the children had pronounced educational and/or adjustment problems and were discussed at the pupil personnel conference. 6.5% were given remedial education and 2.8% were partially exempted from school. There was a predominance of boys and working class children among the ‘pupil act' children. One-third of them were also registered at the Social Welfare Board because of social problems in the families. The behavioural assessments made of the children at 10–12 years of age predicted problems in half the cases, mainly in the teachers' assessments. The school health service is effective in detecting and taking care of physical illnesses and has the important task of supporting children with adjustment difficulties and in acting as counsellor to teachers having children with school problems.