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@article{205575,
        author = {Anu Harshad Joshi and Dr.Kalpana Kale},
        title = {A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY TO ASSESS THE PERCEIVED PREPAREDNESS OF CHILDREN REGARDING ADOLESCENT HEALTH IN A SELECTED URBAN AREA.},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {1},
        pages = {7114-7119},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=205575},
        abstract = {BACKGROUND OF STUDY; The age group of 10–12 years (late childhood) is a critical threshold. Many health interventions target older adolescents (15–19), leaving younger children to navigate the onset of puberty with "accidental" or unreliable information from peers and social media. There is an urgent need to assess if these children are being reached before they enter this high-risk phase. In most countries, health systems and services are mainly designed for either young children or adults. Given their specific health and development needs, adolescents require responsive anticipatory models of service delivery. Due to biological and gender-based differences that result in varied health risks and disease incidence, these health services must always apply an appropriate ‘gender lens.’ Governments need to reach adolescents with high quality, well-coordinated and well integrated programs in their everyday context. These demands coordinated multi-sectoral action across a range of service delivery platforms, and should be complemented by laws guaranteeing that adolescents have access to services. Mechanisms for meaningful adolescent participation are missing in many settings. Achieving Universal Health Coverage for adolescents requires that adolescents themselves are empowered to initiate action and influence decisions that affect their health and development through meaningful participation. Adolescents are often not organized for advocacy, and decision making is rarely informed by adolescent rights. AIM; To assess the perceived preparedness of children regarding adolescent health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, Quantitative approach and descriptive design is adopted to assess the perceived preparedness of children regarding adolescent health. The study is conducted in schools and households located in urban areas of Maharashtra state.100 samples who satisfied the inclusion criteria were recruited using non-probability convenient sampling technique from study population. A validated structured questionnaire was used to assess the perceived preparedness of the children. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. RESULT: A total of 100 children participated in the study to assess perceived preparedness regarding adolescent health. The mean perceived preparedness score of the children was 79.45 ± 10.16, with scores ranging from 60 to 99, indicating an overall good level of preparedness regarding adolescent health. Classification of preparedness levels revealed that 57% of the children were highly prepared, whereas 43% were moderately prepared. No participant was categorized as mildly prepared, suggesting a generally favourable level of preparedness among the study population.},
        keywords = {Assess, perceived preparedness, adolescent.},
        month = {June},
        }