Cross-sectional study of adolescent rural health on-line

Summary

This study will use an established on line questionnaire to investigate the health and wellbeing of adolescents who live in rural and remote areas of New South Wales.

Supervisor(s)

Professor Kate Steinbeck

Research Location

Dubbo/Orange - School of Rural Health

Program Type

Masters/PHD

Synopsis

Rural adolescents are likely to have a higher prevalence of health issues and poorer access to services, contributing to greater health disadvantages compared to their urban counterparts. This project aims to describe and quantify important health and wellbeing issues in adolescents in rural NSW in School Grades 5-8 (10 – 14 years) Quantitative health and well-being data will be collected in a representative sample of rural youth using a questionnaire. This is the Academic Department of Adolescent Medicine’s tool for a broad health and wellbeing assessment in adolescents between 10 and 18 years of age. It comes in two age group versions and uses branched question techniques around sensitive issues. This questionnaire has been used successfully under supervision but this study will be the first time that adolescents will complete it on line. Geocoding information on community facilities and resources will also be collected. There is the opportunity for a further study once the data collection and analysis are complete to take the information to focus groups for adolescents and their parents in order to establish community priorities and plan intervention studies.

Additional Information

This is primarily for a PhD study. There is the potential for an Honours project using a single location and focus groups.

Keywords

adolescent health, rural, depression, Sleep, risk taking, unintentional injury

Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is: 1265

Other opportunities with Professor Kate Steinbeck

• Puberty hormones and adolescent health and wellbeing
• Working with at risk youth – metabolic abnormalities in incarcerated youth