Level of Health Perception and its Dimensions among Schooled Adolescents: A Field Study in the Secondary Schools of M'Sila Municipality.

Abstract

The current study aims to determine the level of health perception and explore the differences in the level of health perception attributable to the gender variable (male, female) among a sample of third-year secondary school students in Msila. To achieve these objectives and verify the proposed hypotheses, the descriptive-analytical approach was used, and we conducted a pilot study to control the study tool, which was the questionnaire as a main tool aimed at measuring the variables, and its validity and reliability were verified. It was distributed to the study sample, and the used and valid questionnaires for analysis were 110. The SPSS statistical package for social sciences was used, and descriptive statistical methods were used, including the mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, and the Independent Samples Test.

The study concluded the following results: The level of health perception among the enrolled adolescent is moderate. The level of the dimensions of health perception, which are rejection of the patient's role, attitude towards doctor visits, impression about health, orientations towards illness, current health, resistance/susceptibility, health-related concerns/preoccupations, and previous health, are all moderate. There are no statistically significant differences in the level of health perception attributable to the gender variable (male, female).

Accordingly, the study suggested the need to enhance the level of health awareness among adolescents attending school in the three different educational stages, especially at the secondary level, through the implementation of awareness and educational campaigns and programs in schools, middle and high schools to increase adolescents' awareness of the importance of health and self-care.