Alcohol use beliefs and behaviors among high school students

Purpose: To identify specific alcohol use beliefs and behaviors among local high school students; to determine whether relationships exist between alcohol use and various sociodemographic and lifestyle behaviors; and to assist in the development and implementation of alcohol abuse prevention programs.Methods: This cross-sectional study involved the completion of a questionnaire by 1236 Grade 9–13 students (86% response rate) from 62 randomly selected classrooms in three Canadian urban schools. Data analyzed here are part of a larger lifestyle survey.Results: A total of 24% of students reported never having tasted alcohol, 22% have tasted alcohol but do not currently drink, 39% are current moderate drinkers, 11% are current heavy drinkers (five or more drinks on one occasion at least once a month), and 5% did not answer. Reasons stated most often for not drinking were “bad for health” and “upbringing,” while reasons stated most often for drinking were “enjoy it” and “to get in a party mood.” Student drinking patterns were significantly related to gender, ethnicity, grade, and the reported drinking habits of parents and friends. Older male adolescents who describe their ethnicity as Canadian are at higher risk for heavy drinking than students who are younger or female, or identify their ethnicity as European or Asian. Current heavy drinkers are at higher risk than other students for engaging in other high-risk behaviors such as drinking and driving, being a passenger in a car when the driver is intoxicated, and daily smoking.Conclusions: Heavy alcohol use in adolescents remains an important community health concern. Older self-described Canadian and Canadian-born male adolescents are at higher risk for heavy drinking. Current and heavy drinking rises significantly between Grades 9 and 12. Students who drink heavily are more likely to drink and drive, to smoke daily, and to have friends and parents who drink alcohol.     

Relationship between cigarette, smokeless tobacco, and cigar use, and other health risk behaviors among U.S. high school students

This study examined relationships between tobacco use and use of other substances, intentional injury risk behaviors, and sexual risk behaviors among US high school students. Data about tobacco use and other health risk behaviors were analyzed from the 1997 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey implemented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One-fourth of students (24%) reported current use of a single tobacco product (i.e., cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, or cigars during the 30 days preceding the survey), and 19.5% reported currently using more than one tobacco product. Generally, students who reported current tobacco use also reported engaging in other substance use, intentional injury risk behaviors, and sexual risk behaviors. For many risk behaviors, these results were especially pronounced among students who reported using two or all three tobacco products. Programs designed to prevent tobacco use should consider that such use often occurs concomitantly with other health risk behaviors.     

Opinions and practices regarding electronic cigarette use among Romanian high school students

ObjectiveThe study assessed awareness, opinions, practices regarding electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and factors associated with their use among Romanian high school students.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 2013 in two major Romanian cities, distributing anonymous questionnaires to 342 high school students aged 16–18.Results52.3% of the smokers, 29.2% of the ex-smokers and 7% of the never-smokers had tried e-cigarettes at least once in their life; 7.8% of the smokers and 4.6% of the ex-smokers had used e-cigarettes in the last month. Among smokers, e-cigarette use was associated with lower participation in school health education regarding e-cigarettes and with having parents using e-cigarettes.. Among ex-smokers and never-smokers, e-cigarette use was associated with intention to use e-cigarettes in the next year and with having friends who use e-cigarettes.ConclusionHealth education programmes and regulatory interventions addressing e-cigarettes are needed in Romania. More research is necessary on how to develop effective public health messages.     

Aggression, substance use, and suicidal behaviors in high school students.

OBJECTIVES. We sought to analyze the frequency and correlates of suicidal behaviors in a community sample of adolescents. METHODS. Information concerning suicidal thoughts and acts, aggressive behaviors, substance use and physical recklessness were collected with the 70-item self-report Youth Risk Behavior Survey from a statewide sample of 3764 South Carolina public high school students. RESULTS. Seventy-five percent of students reported no suicidal behaviors, 11% reported serious suicidal thoughts, 6.4% reported specific suicidal plans, 5.9% reported attempts not requiring medical care, and 1.6% reported attempts requiring medical care. All types of suicidal behaviors occurred more frequently in females than males. Odds ratios for aggressive behaviors and cigarette use were elevated across all categories of suicide behaviors, increasing in magnitude with severity of reported suicidal behavior. Substance use was associated with some but not all categories of suicidal behaviors. The relationships were most pronounced with the use of potentially more dangerous drugs. CONCLUSIONS. The results suggest that suicidal behaviors are not infrequent occurrences among adolescents and that they often coexist with other high-risk behaviors. Interventions designed to reduce suicidal behaviors should simultaneously address coexisting high-risk behaviors.     

Covariation of cigarette smoking and other health-risk behaviors among Japanese high school students: a preliminary study

This study aims to determine if cigarette smoking is associated with engaging in other health-risk behaviors among high school students in Japan. Self-administered anonymous questionnaires were conducted in 1999 using a sample of 1,466 students (male: 50.5%, female: 49.5%) in grades 10 through 12 at seven public senior high schools in urban areas of Okinawa, Japan. Health-risk behaviors studiedal included cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, thinner use, sexual intercourse, suicidal ideation, nonuse of seat belts, physical inactivity, and weight loss practices. In the logistic regression models, controlled for sociodemographic variables, smoking was significantly associated with all health-risk behaviors except physical inactivity. In particular, associations of alcohol drinking and sexual intercourse with smoking were strong. Among male students, statistically significant odds ratios existed for alcohol drinking, sexual intercourse, and nonuse of seat belts. Among female students, all of the odds ratios for health-risk behaviors were statistically significant, except for physical inactivity. Generally, the odds ratios of female students were higher than those of male students. In conclusion, high school students who smoked cigarettes in this study may be at higher risk for engaging in other health-risk behaviors. Particularly, alcohol drinking and sexual intercourse are more likely to co-occur with smoking. These findings suggest that smoking prevention programs should be integrated with other health-risk behaviors.     

Female gender and wealth are associated to overweight among adolescents in La Paz, Bolivia

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of overweight, obesity and being thin in adolescents of La Paz City, Bolivia. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study, clustered sampling. SETTING: La Paz, Bolivia, August-September 2003. SUBJECTS: Height and weight of 525 adolescents (mean age 16 y; s.d.+/-1.3) attending public and private schools were measured; sociodemographic characteristics were assessed with a short questionnaire. RESULTS: The present study reveals that 9.3% (+/-2.5) of the sample are thin adolescents; 19.8% (+/-3.4) is the overall prevalence of overweight and 2.3% (+/-1.3) the overall prevalence of obesity. The odds of being thin were higher among those working (P=0.03) and among those of higher age (P<0.001). The odds of being overweight were higher among female subjects (P<0.001). The odds of being obese were higher among younger adolescents (P=0.046) and among the more wealthy ones (P=0.044). CONCLUSIONS: A large prevalence of 22% overweight/obesity in adolescents from La Paz City was observed. The findings support the need of enhanced nutritional surveillance and interventions particularly in female adolescents.     

School-based HIV/AIDS education,risky sexual behaviors,and HIV testing among high school students in the United States

This study assessed the practical value of HIV/AIDS education among at-risk adolescents in the United States. Data were drawn from the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System spanning students in grades 9-12 who have engaged in sexual intercourse. A multivariate hierarchical logistic regression analysis was employed to test: (1) the individual effects of school-based HIV/AIDS education and risky sexual behaviors on the probability of HIV testing and (2) the interaction effects to estimate the degree to which the education effect varied by specific risky sexual behavior. The results indicated that students who engaged in risky sexual activities and received HIV/AIDS education were more likely to test for HIV compared to those who did not receive HIV/AIDS education. The relationship between education and HIV testing also varied according to the number of recent sexual partners. The findings have policy and practice implications. Specifically, HIV/AIDS education that promotes HIV testing should be encouraged particularly with the high-risk student population.     

溧水县高中学生健康危险行为现状调查

目的:了解南京市溧水县高中学生健康危险行为现状,为制定相关伤害的预防控制措施提供依据。方法:根据《江苏省青少年健康相关行为调查问卷》内容,对6所高中2 482名学生进行问卷调查。结果:调查中有17.1%的学生想过自杀,32.0%的学生发生过严重受伤,28.2%的学生尝试过吸烟,58.4%的学生尝试过饮酒,学生中使用过网络的达92.5%,2.9%的学生有过性行为。结论:南京市溧水县高中学生健康危险行为发生状况不容忽视,迫切需要开展各种行为干预措施。     

Substance use and HIV-related sexual behaviors among US high school students: are they related?

OBJECTIVES. This study was undertaken to examine whether use of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana, cocaine, and other illicit drugs is related to the likelihood of sexual behaviors that increase risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among youth. METHODS. The 1990 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey was used to collect self-reported information about a broad range of health risk behaviors from a representative sample of 11,631 high school students in the United States. RESULTS. Students who reported no substance use were least likely to report having had sexual intercourse, having had four or more sex partners, and not having used a condom at last sexual intercourse. Adjusted for age, sex, and race/ethnicity, odds ratios for each of these sexual risk behaviors were greatest among students who had used marijuana, cocaine, or other illicit drugs. Students who had used only alcohol or cigarettes had smaller but still significant increases in the likelihood of having had sexual intercourse and of having had four or more sex partners. CONCLUSIONS. HIV prevention programs for youth should recognize that substance use may be an important indicator of risk for HIV infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome through its association with unsafe sexual behaviors.     

Risk factors for cigarette smoking among high school students in Okinawa, Japan

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between risk factors and smoking status among high school students in Okinawa, Japan. We also examined if there is a dose-response relation between the number of risk factors and smoking status. Self-reported questionnaires including smoking status and potential risk factors were conducted using a sample of 1,029 students of a public senior high school in Okinawa. The percentage of smokers was 40.0% for males and 10.6% for females, and it was significantly higher for males than females. As a result of multivariate analysis, we identified four significant risk factors; peer smoking, attitude of peer toward subject smoking, intention to smoke at the age 20, and alcohol drinking. The number of these risk factors was linearly associated with increased percentage of smokers, and a linear trend was significant for both gender students. Additionally, magnitude of risk for smoking among females became considerably great compared with those of males as the number of risk factors increased. In conclusion, this study was the first study in Japan to indicate a significant dose-response relationship between the number of risk factors and smoking status among high school students. We also found that females with many risk factors had extremely increased vulnerability to smoking compared to male counterpart. These findings may be useful to identify high-risk students who need more intensive smoking prevention programs and to develop the content of effective interventions.     

南宁市大中学生减肥行为现状

了解在校大中学生对肥胖的认知情况及减肥行为现状,为采用相应健康教育措施提供参考依据.方法 采用分层随机整群抽样的方法,对南宁市8所大中学校共3 571名学生,使用中国城市青少年健康危险行为调查问卷进行调查.结果 35.20%的大中学生认为自己体重超重,且中学生的报告率明显高于大学生.锻炼减肥为大中学生的首选方法(55.08%),其余依次为限食(26.6%)、不吃肉(8.26%)、长时间禁食(3.08%)、私自服用减肥药(1.62%).结论 大中学生对自身体型满意度偏低,大多数会选择以锻炼为主的减肥方式,但也存在盲目减肥和减肥方法不合理现象.应对大中学生开展肥胖与科学减肥相关知识的健康教育.     

郑州市初中生电子烟使用状况及影响因素分析

  目的  了解郑州市初中生电子烟使用状况及其影响因素,为学生烟草控制干预提供支持。  方法  2019年3—5月采用分层整群随机抽样的方法,对郑州市3 624名初中学生采用自编电子烟调查问卷进行调查,内容包括人口学信息、对电子烟的态度、使用行为、父母和朋友的吸烟行为等。  结果  郑州市初中生电子烟使用率为5.5%。51.5%的初中生通过网络购买电子烟,28.3%的通过商店购买,20.2%的通过其他方式购买电子烟。在使用电子烟的烟雾对他人有害的调查中,持认可态度的人数比例低于持否定态度的人数比例,差异有统计学意义(χ2=4.33,P < 0.05)。Logistic回归分析显示,使用电子烟后难以戒除、使用电子烟不会让人感到轻松、电子烟烟雾对他人有害、电子烟使用不会使年轻人更有魅力与中学生使用电子烟呈负相关(OR值分别为0.46,0.28,0.57,0.41,P值均 < 0.01)。  结论  郑州市初中学生电子烟使用情况较为严重。应多措并举加强健康教育,降低电子烟使用率。     

Characteristics of smoking and cessation behaviors among high school students in New Jersey.

Treatment for adolescent smokers requires understanding of use patterns, attitudes, and practices relating to cessation. Results of the 1999 New Jersey Youth Tobacco Survey show that frequent smokers have higher daily consumption, more difficulty abstaining, high interest in quitting, and lower self-efficacy. These findings may help in developing effective treatment strategies.     

Tobacco use among high school students in Buenos Aires, Argentina

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the prevalence and correlates of tobacco use among high school students in Buenos Aires, Argentina. METHODS: Anonymous, self-administered questionnaires were given to 3909 8th and 11th graders in a stratified random sample of 49 public and private schools. The instrument included items from American surveys, translated and validated among Argentinean teens. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate possible effects on smoking behavior of environment, students' personal characteristics, and their knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes regarding smoking. RESULTS: Of 8th and 11th graders, 20% and 43%, respectively, were classified as current smokers. Overall, 29% of males and 32% of females were current smokers. Students attending public schools were more likely to smoke than those in private schools (P < .05). Current smoking was associated with having a best friend who smokes, reporting that more than 50% of friends of the same sex smoke, having positive attitudes and beliefs toward smoking, and having a positive intention to smoke within the next year (all P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Over 20% of the 8th graders in our sample were current smokers; prevention efforts must therefore start early.     

High endemicity of human fascioliasis between Lake Titicaca and La Paz valley, Bolivia.

Over a 6-year period, an epidemiological study of human infection by Fasciola hepatica in the Northern Bolivian Altiplano was carried out. Prevalences and intensities were analysed from coprological results obtained in 31 surveys performed in 24 localities and proved to be the highest known so far. The global prevalence was 15.4%, with local prevalences ranging from 0% to 68.2%. Significant differences between prevalence rates were detected and the highest prevalences were in subjects aged < 20 years. However, prevalences showed no gender difference. The global intensity (eggs per gram of faeces, epg) ranged from 24 to 5064 epg and showed arithmetic and geometric means respectively of 446 and 191 epg, with highest local arithmetic and geometric means of 1345 and 678 epg. Significant differences in mean egg output were detected between localities. The significantly higher F. hepatica egg counts shown by girls in school surveys is worth mentioning. Although the distributions of intensities according to age-groups did not show any significant difference, a decrease of egg output counts with an increase of age was detected. It is concluded that fascioliasis is a very important human health problem in this region.     

A comparison of school performance and behaviors among working and nonworking high school students

To evaluate the effect of after-school employment on Grade Point Average, absenteeism, school tardiness, extracurricular activities, and class-cutting, a cross-sectional anonymous questionnaire was completed by 7,506 high school students in May 2002. Working students did not report lower grades, higher absenteeism, or more school tardiness than their nonworking peers. However, students who worked were significantly more likely to cut classes and not take part in extracurricular activities than were students who were not employed. Factors associated with lower Grade Point Average among working students included working before 8:00 AM (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.73, 95% CI = 1.18-2.52), being injured at work (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.10-1.96), and feeling that the job was more important than school (AOR = 2.74, 95% CI = 2.08-3.60).