[Hospital morbidity and mortality of adolescents in Vojvodina].

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to analyze hospital morbidity and mortality of adolescents in Vojvodina in 2004. MATERIAL AND METHODS The analyzed data for hospital morbidity were obtained from the Reports on diseases and conditions of hospitalized patients in the Service for stationary-hospital treatment. Hospital mortality was analyzed on the basis of Documentation tables of vital statistics of Republic of Serbia. In order to have better insight into the pathology, the adolescents were divided by sex and age (the younger ones from 10-14 years, and the older ones, from 15-19 years). RESULTS The hospital morbidity of adolescents in Vojvodina in 2004 was 47/1,000 adolescents, while in 1983 it was 53/1,000 adolescents. The most frequent indications for hospitalization of the adolescents were respiratory, digestive diseases, and injuries, poisoning and consequences of an external factor influences. The overall mortality rate was 39.68/100,000 adolescents and in 1988 44.74/100,000 adolescents. Hospital mortality rate in Vojvodina in 2004 was 16.18/100,000 adolescents and in 1986 11.65/100,000 adolescents. The male adolescents most frequently died in hospitals because of tumors, and female ones because of injuries, poisoning and consequences of external factor influences. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Morbidity structure was not changed compared to the previous period. Older and female adolescents were more frequently hospitalized. There was a decrease in adolescent mortality for 15.5% compared to the previous 15 years. Hospital mortality rate was higher than before. Older adolescents had three times the death rate of younger. Mortality rates for male adolescents were three times rates for females. Programs for adolescents' health care must be implemented fully, with engagement of whole community services, in order to prevent and cure diseases adequately and to enhance quality of life.