Objective: To study the perceived problems of higher secondary school students in a district and to document the effect of a family life and life skill education package.
Methods: A survey was conducted among 11501 adolescents belonging to 103 higher secondary schools in Thiruvananthapuram district, using Teenage Screening Questionnaire-Trivandrum (TSQ-T). Family life and life skill education package was given to class XI students and post intervention evaluation of improvement in knowledge level was assessed after 6 months by a structured pre-tested self-administered questionnaire.
Results: 61.2% adolescents reported scholastic problem, 22.1% family related problems, 31.9% personal problems and 15.2% adjustment problems, with boys reporting higher percentage. 65.8% reported body image related problems, 26.4% had dental, 21.3% ENT and 16.2% had dermatological complaints. Among girls 50.2% reported menstrual problems. 506 adolescents volunteered for medical check-up and 1247 for detailed psychological assessment. Family life and life skill education package showed consistent improvement in knowledge even after a gap of 6 months.
Conclusions: The study results showed that a school based adolescent care service programme is effective and feasible.