PERCEPTION ABOUT HEALTH STATUS, SELF MEDICATION PRACTICE AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF ADOLESCENTS IN WEST TRIPURA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: The study has been carried out to assess the perception health status, self-medication practice and quality of life of adolescents in West Tripura and to find out the factors affecting them. Methods: A cross-sectional study has been carried out in West Tripura district. The students of all the schools of randomly selected sub-division were the study population. For data collection, SF-36 item short item Health Survey instrument was used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, multiple linear regression, one sample t test, independent sample t test and ANOVA test. For self medication including illicit drug use separate tool was used. Results: 49.1% of adolescents were found to have adequate health status in this study. Quality of life was found to be high in 44.4% of adolescents. Age, gender and study class of adolescents was found to be significantly associated with their health status. Mean score was found to be significantly different between different father: s occupation and different study classes. Conclusion: The study concludes that that the perception about health status was adequate and quality of life was high in 49.1% and 44.4% of study participants. 54.7% of the study participants practiced self medication. Age, gender and study class were found to be significantly associated with the health status. Mean score of health status was found to be significantly different between various study classes and between service and non-service type of occupation.