RISK FACTORS FOR PHYSIOLOGICAL GYNECOMASTIA IN ADOLESCENT SCHOOL BOYS IN SHEBIN ELKOM DISTRICT, EGYPT

Background: Gynecomastia is defined as benign proliferation of glandular breast tissue of the male breast. It occurs during a critical period in the formation of self-image and gender identity, this gender-incongruent process may disrupt normal psychological development and can be a source of significant embarrassment . Goal of the study: Health promotion of the adolescent boys Objectives of the study: were to assess the prevalence of gynecomastia among adolescent school boys, gynecomastia risk factors and the impact of gynecomastia on the self-steam. Methods: Crosses sectional study was conducted after calculation of the sample size. After multistage stratified random sampling for the students in the preparatory schools, A 605 adolescent School boys were recruited for the quantitative data collection. All the participants were interviewed using a pre-designed questionnaire to assess the risk factors and the self-steam followed by examination of the height, weight and chest examination. Results: The prevalence of gynecomastia was 14% among the studied group. Logistic regressions for prediction of gynecomastia were overweight, business or trade working father and presence of the Secondary symptoms of puberty respectively (P< 0.05). There was a negative correlation between the presence of gynecomastia and the self-steam. Conclusion: Physiological gynecomastia is a prevalent condition among adolescent boys. It has a significant negative impact on the psychosocial well-being of affected adolescents regarding the self-esteem.