Domestic and peer violence in secondary school among adolescents: can telemedicine help?

Telemed J E Health. 2011 Nov;17(9):700-4. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2011.0035. Epub 2011 Sep 1.

Abstract

Domestic and peer violence in Macedonia is similar to other developed nations. It is present among adolescents and their families. A study was conducted on 664 secondary school students throughout Macedonia. The results indicated that 11.2% male and 16.54% female students often face different kinds of family violence. Peer violence of different forms is marked as "often" in 8.04% male respondents and 5.63% female respondents. One of possibilities in preventing this negative phenomenon is the application of telemedicine. There is a growing body of evidence that the use of telemedicine offers a good tool for mental healthcare in underserved communities, and that these services are as effective as face-to-face work with adolescents. By building an effective telemedicine network in Macedonia, both victims (adolescents) and their parents could be given a chance to contact proper institutions for help with more confidence and less stress.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Domestic Violence / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Peer Group*
  • Psychiatry / methods*
  • Republic of North Macedonia
  • Sex Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Telemedicine / methods*
  • Violence / psychology*