Resumen

SANTOS, Sónia; SANTOS, Elisabete; FERRAO, Alzira  y  FIGUEIREDO, Carlos. Impact of chronic disease in adolescence. Nascer e Crescer [online]. 2011, vol.20, n.1, pp.16-19. ISSN 0872-0754.

Introduction: Adolescence and its biopsychosocial alterations and the chronic disease influence each other, with special relevance on social behaviour, school performance and sexual behaviour. Objectives: To assess whether chronic disease influences risk behaviours at this age. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional and comparative study, conducted between July 15^th and September 30^th 2008, to young people between the ages of 13 and 20 with chronic disease (CD), monitored in regular visits at São Teotónio Hospital of Viseu (HSTV), and healthy adolescents from two schools. We applied a specific questionnaire to assess socialdemographic data, history of the disease, risk behaviours, self-esteem and sexual behaviour. The X² and t-student tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: The sample consisted of 125 subjects from group adolescents with CD and 135 adolescents in the group “healthy.” Comparing the two groups, it was found that adolescents with CD fail in school more than the healthy adolescents. All the 22 subjects with CD sexually active reported the use of condom. There was a lower consumption of alcohol and smoking habits in the group of CD. None of the adolescents with CD admitted consumption of other drugs. Discussion: Literature mentions that adolescents with chronic disease have the same or greater tendency to risk behaviours. However, in our study, adolescents with CD have less risk behaviours.

Palabras clave : Adolescence; risk behaviours; chronic disease.

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