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PubMed1992

Health-risk behaviors and health concerns among young adolescents.

This study examined the health concerns and behaviors of 563 adolescents (aged 11 through 14) from a variety of social, racial, and ethnic backgrounds. Behaviors associated with adolescent morbidity and mortality were examined, including sexual behavior, substance use, and injury-related behaviors. Although young adolescents are often viewed as unlikely participants in these risk behaviors, the results of this study suggest that greater attention should be paid to this younger group and their health-risk behaviors. A majority of the sample had tried alcohol and tobacco, and almost a third had used marijuana. Twenty-one percent were sexually active. Prevalence rates varied by social class, race-ethnicity, gender, and age. More than 75% of the sample had visited a physician during the prior year, suggesting an important role physicians may serve as sources of information and positive role models for these young adolescents. The results suggest that we stop viewing young adolescents as naive children and begin to view them as observers of and participants in a changing social environment that has important implications for their current and future health status. Without a realistic appraisal of the young adolescent, we can expect to have little overall effect on the status of adolescent health in the United States.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Drugs use and risk behavior in a university community.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate drug use and risk behaviors among students of the University of Guayaquil in Ecuador. To evaluate this issue, we used the questionnaire "Youth Risk Behavior Survey" (YRBS). The study sample consisted of 751 undergraduate students: 328 (44%) male and 423 (56%) female. Average age was 20 years old and 85,5% of the students were single. Alcohol, tobacco and marihuana were the most consumed substances among students, who use them for entertainment. Drug consumption (legal or illegal) among students has become an issue for specialized research as well as an important field of intervention for public policies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

The impact of rape on women's sexual health risk behaviors.

This study used cluster analysis to identify three patterns of sexual health risk behaviors in a sample of adult rape survivors (N=102). Women in the 1st cluster (high risk) reported substantial increases from pre- to postrape in their frequency of sexual activity, number of sexual partners, infrequency of condom use, and frequency of using alcohol and/or drugs during sex. The 2nd cluster (moderate risk) reported increases in frequency of sexual activity and number of partners but mitigated that risk with increased condom use. Survivors in the 3rd cluster (low risk) indicated that their sexual health behaviors had become much less risky postrape. An ecological model predicting cluster membership revealed that individual-level and contextual factors predict patterns of risk behaviors.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

HIV risk behaviors in African-American drug injector networks: implications of injection-partner mixing and partnership characteristics.

AIMS: We explore the mechanisms by which 'partnership-level' variables--the mix of characteristics of individuals who inject drugs together--affect the incidence of HIV risk behaviors, including receptive syringe sharing, and facilitate or impede the spread of HIV. DESIGN: We apply multivariate analysis techniques to data on injection partnerships (pairs of individuals who inject drugs together) collected using a network sample of 401 African-American IDUs in Washington, DC. FINDINGS: Drug injectors tended to select injection partners of the same gender and similar age, but risk behaviors were most common in partnerships between individuals who are dissimilar in both gender and age. Partners who had a sexual relationship, injected drugs frequently together, smoked crack-cocaine regularly, injected speedball (heroin mixed with cocaine) regularly and/or had close social ties were more likely to engage in risky injection practices than otherwise similar partners. These factors account largely for the association between the gender-age mix of the partnership and injection risk behavior. CONCLUSIONS: Among African-American IDUs in Washington DC, partnership-level variables appear critical in the transmission of HIV.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Perceived access to health care and its influence on the prevalence of behavioral risks among urban African Americans.

INTRODUCTION: Individuals who have difficulty gaining access to health care may delay seeking and obtaining treatment, underutilize preventive health care services, and may have a high prevalence of chronic disease risks. This report examines participant perception of the level of difficulty encountered when obtaining medical care and its influence on the prevalence of chronic disease behavioral risks among urban African Americans. RESULTS: We found a significantly higher prevalence of current cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption among African Americans who reported that they experienced difficulty in obtaining medical care than among those who did not. Compared to those who experienced no difficulty obtaining care, participants who perceived a high level of difficulty in obtaining care were less likely to have had a physical exam in the past year and to have seen the same doctor when services were obtained. CONCLUSION: The perception of a high level of difficulty obtaining health care may be associated with a higher prevalence of behavioral risks for chronic disease. The limited data suggest a need to more closely examine the perception of health care accessibility and its relationship to health services utilization and the prevalence of chronic disease behavioral risks.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Cardiovascular disease, motor-vehicle-related injury, and use of clinical preventive services--behavioral risk factor surveillance system, 1989.

CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a state-based method for risk factor surveillance, was implemented in 1984. By 1989, 39 states and the District of Columbia participated in monthly random-digit-dialed telephone interviews of adults greater than or equal to 18 years of age (1). A total of 66,867 interviews were conducted in 1989; state-specific sample sizes ranged from 1171 to 3415 (mean: 1672). This report summarizes results of the 1989 survey and compares them with 1988 for risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease, motor-vehicle-related injury, and use of clinical preventive services.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Travel patterns and risk behavior in solid organ transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: International travel is associated with an increased risk of enteric, vector-borne and bloodborne infections. The risk of acquiring travel-related illness is higher in those who are immunocompromised. However, little is known about travel practices and risk behaviors in transplant recipients who travel. We herein profile transplant recipients who travel, and characterize their pre-travel precautions, travel activities, burden of illness, and exposure history. METHODS: With the use of a standardized and validated questionnaire, patients attending a transplant clinic were surveyed regarding recent travel and risk behaviors. RESULTS: Of 267 transplant recipients who participated, 95 (36%) indicated that they had recently traveled outside Canada and the USA. Their mean age was 49.9 years, 54% were male, and 54% were born outside Canada. Eighty-six percent of travelers were receiving at least two immunosuppressive drugs at the time of their trip. Sixty-six percent of travelers sought pre-travel advice, primarily from their transplant physician. Sixty-three percent traveled to areas where hepatitis A is endemic, but only 5% had received hepatitis A immunization. Fifty percent traveled to dengue- and malaria-endemic areas, but,25% adhered to mosquito prevention measures. Ten percent reported behaviors that exposed them to blood or body fluids, including injections, body piercing, and casual sexual activity. CONCLUSIONS: Solid organ transplant recipients represent a unique group of compromised travelers; however, few were adequately protected against travel-associated enteric, vector-borne and bloodborne pathogens.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Will I be alive in 2005? Adolescent level of involvement in risk behaviors and belief in near-future death.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the association between a belief in one's future mortality and various risk-taking behaviors among urban black adolescents. In particular, we investigated whether adolescents with higher levels of participation in various risk behaviors were more likely to believe in their future death as compared with adolescents with lesser levels of risk-taking behavior. METHODS: Data obtained from April 1994 to March 1997 were analyzed for a total of 2694 adolescents, aged 12 to 21 years. The odds of believing that one would die within the next 2 years were calculated for various levels of participation in risk behaviors involving alcohol, drugs, and criminal or violent acts. RESULTS: A total of 160 adolescents (7.1% of all boys and 5.4% of all girls) reported that they believed that they would die within the next 2 years. The adjusted odds of future death belief among adolescents who both actively engaged in and knew others who participated in all of the various risk behaviors, relative to adolescents who neither personally engaged in nor knew others who participated in any of the risk behaviors, was 3.22 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.01-5.17) vs 1.14 (95% CI: 0.67-1.95) for drug use and drug selling, 2.01 (95% CI: 1.38-2.92) vs 0.8 (95% CI: 0.39-1.62) for combined alcohol and drug use, and 5.60 (95% CI: 2.03-15.47) vs 1.61 (95% CI: 1.08-2.42) for violent physical behavior. In addition, residence in a foster home was significantly associated with death belief after adjustment for all other variables. CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant relationship between certain risk behaviors and belief in near-future death. Moreover, higher levels of involvement in risk behaviors were associated with a stronger likelihood of belief in near-future mortality. Identification of adolescents who engage in certain risky behaviors, combined with a recognition of the degree to which the adolescent participates in the particular behavior(s), may be used to facilitate more rapid intervention among youths who either believe in their imminent demise or engage in behaviors that increase the likelihood of their untimely death.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Psychosocial histories, social environment, and HIV risk behaviors of injection and noninjection drug using homeless youths.

Injection drug use is a common risk behavior for HIV infection among homeless, runaway and street youths. However, the psychosocial histories and current social environment of these youths are not well understood. The authors recruited 186 homeless, runaway and street youths using systematic street-based sampling methods, and assessed psychosocial histories, current daily activities, and sexual and drug-related risk behaviors using qualitative and quantitative techniques. Youths reported high lifetime rates of injection drug use (45%), recent drug and alcohol use (100%), and current homelessness (84%). Injection drug using youths were more likely than noninjection drug using youths to report traumatic psychosocial histories, including parental substance use and forced institutionalization, use of alcohol and other noninjection drugs, a history of survival sex, and the use of squats or abandoned buildings as shelter. These findings underscore the need for multifaceted service and prevention programs to address the varied needs of these high-risk youths.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Suicide ideation among US college students. Associations with other injury risk behaviors.

Suicide, the endpoint of a continuum that begins with suicide ideation, is the third leading cause of death among the US college-aged population. The first and second leading causes of death among this age group, unintentional injury and homicide, may also be linked to suicide ideation. We used data from the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey to examine the association between suicide ideation and injury-related behaviors among 18- to 24-year-old college students. Students who reported suicide ideation were significantly more likely than students who did not report considering suicide to carry a weapon, engage in a physical fight, boat or swim after drinking alcohol, ride with a driver who had been drinking alcohol, drive after drinking alcohol, and rarely or never used seat belts. Given this clustering of injury-related risk behaviors, college prevention programs should aim to reduce risks for injuries comprehensively, rather than addressing each risk behavior separately.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Religious involvement and its association to risk behaviors among older youth in foster care.

This study examined religious involvement and its association to risk behaviors (sexual behavior, marijuana use, alcohol use, and cigarette use) among older youth in foster care (N=383). Three dimensions of religious involvement were assessed-church or religious service attendance, religious practices, and religious beliefs. Findings showed that gender, ethnic group membership, sexual abuse history, and placement type were significantly associated with older foster care youth's religious involvement. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses showed that religious service attendance was associated with reduced odds of youth's engagement in sexual behavior in the past 2 months and current use of cigarettes. In addition, greater religious beliefs were associated with a reduction in odds of youth's use of alcohol in the past 6 months and current use of cigarettes. The consideration of religious involvement as a positive influence and resource that may reduce unhealthy risk behaviors among older youth in foster care is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Patterns and correlates of sexual initiation, sexual risk behaviors, and condom use among secondary school students in Ethiopia.

This study explored the patterns and socio-demographic correlates of sexual initiation, subsequent risk behaviors, and condom use among secondary school youth across Ethiopia. A total of 1,102 students were selected on convenience basis from five urban schools (in Baher Dar, Dessie, Awassa, Jimma, and Dire Dawa) and surveyed about their sexual and preventive behaviors using an extensive questionnaire. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate statistical procedures. One third (33.3%) of the youth reported to have had sexual intercourse prior to the study. Mean age of sexual initiation was 15.3 (SD = 2.5) years. Two-thirds of the sexual initiations were unprotected and some occur with higher risk groups, including much older (15.5%) or casual/commercial sex partners (9.1%). Multi-partnered sex (52.7%) and sex with casual (30.4%) or commercial (25.3%) partners were the most commonly reported lifetime risk behaviors. Although 56.7% of the youth ever used condoms, only less than half of these used them regularly. On the positive note, 83.4% of the youth expressed intentions to use condoms in the future. Socio-demographic characteristics, particularly gender, location, and age, were significantly correlated with sexual and preventive behaviors. Implications of these findings to health education programs for youth are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Sexual activity and other high-risk behaviors in adolescents with chronic illness: a review.

This article is a literature review of high-risk behaviors, including sexual activity, in adolescents with chronic illness. Three different models describing biopsychosocial constructs for risky behaviors are discussed. Regarding specific behaviors, findings from the literature include a substantial prevalence of sexual activity, but low level of knowledge and low prevalence of contraceptive use, in youth with chronic illness. Regarding substance use, alcohol was the most commonly used substance regardless of medical condition. Overall, substance use, as well as delinquent behavior, was lower among youth with chronic illness when compared to that in comparison groups. Results were mixed regarding the prevalence and determinants of unhealthy eating habits in these populations. Although high-risk behaviors in teenagers with chronic illness may be a normal part of development, awareness of their prevalence, along with early identification and counseling are important in order to anticipate adverse effects on their medical conditions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

The impact of school-organized sport activities on the priority youth health-risk behaviors.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of school-organized sport activities on the priority youth health-risk behaviors.METHODS: Data were taken from The 1997 National School-based Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Measures of prevalence rates in six categories of priority health-risk behaviors defined by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were performed between participants and non-participants in school-organized sport activities. Then multiple logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between participation in school-organized sport activities and the priority health-risk behaviors.RESULTS: Overall, 49.5% of students nationwide participated in school-organized sport activities in 1997. The major behavioral factors that proved statistically significant in predicting participation in school-organized activities in the logistic regression model were non-use of seatbelt, non-use of helmet, and use of chewing tobacco. Behavioral factors that were inversely related to participation in school-organized activities were smoking cigarettes, using different kinds of drugs, using condoms, carrying weapons, eating vegetables, and attempting suicide.CONCLUSIONS: Based on the nationally representative data, participation in school-organized sport activities was positively associated with many desirable health behaviors. However, a challenge for us will be not only to promote youth participation in school-organized sport activities, but also to address some co-existing behavioral problems that may lead to non-intentional injury and use of chewing tobacco.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Assessment of psychological and social factors in adolescents risk behavior: questionnaire study.

AIM: To investigate the influence of psychological and social factors on health risk behaviors, such as smoking, alcohol and psychoactive drug consumption among adolescents and to determine the prevalence of consuming various psychoactive substances. METHODS: The survey was conducted among adolescents in the Primorsko-goranska County in Croatia in 2003. The prevalence of smokers, alcohol, and psychoactive drugs consumers and abstainers, with general and specific predictors for the development of risk behavior of 2,452 adolescents in Primorsko-goranska County was determined by means of valid self-reported questionnaires. The adolescents were stratified according to gender and type of secondary school. RESULTS: Every third student smoked cigarettes every day, and 73% consumed beer, wine, and alcoholic beverages occasionally. The percentage of illicit drugs consumption (experimental, occasional and regular) ranged from 2,3% for opiates to 35.6 for marihuana. Girls consumed more cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, and sedatives every day, whereas boys consumed more beer, wine, and marihuana. Consumption of all psychoactive substances was more prevalent among senior students. A moderate correlation was found between addictive resources consumption and negative peer influence and ways of spending free time. CONCLUSION: Most adolescents had personal experience with psychoactive substance use, mostly tobacco, alcohol, and marihuana. The strongest predictors were negative peer influence and ways of spending free time. These findings may be useful for formulating strategies for prevention of addiction among adolescents.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effectiveness of HIV/AIDS interventions on drug use and needle risk behaviors for out-of-treatment injection drug users.

Abstract-This study presents an evaluation of the effectiveness of the AIDS Community-Based Outreach/Intervention projects implemented as part of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Cooperative Agreement (CA), which began in 1990 and is currently ongoing. Participants in the CA were randomly assigned to one of two interventions: a NIDA/CA-developed standard intervention (SI); or the SI plus a site-specific enhanced intervention (EI). Analyses of drug use and needle-related risk behaviors were conducted among injection drug users (IDUs) in eight participating cities where follow-up rates of at least 60% were obtained (N=3,743). Results indicated that IDUs significantly reduced their needle-related risk behaviors following delivery of the interventions and that a substantial portion entered substance abuse treatment. However, there was relatively little to support the effectiveness of more expensive and involved enhanced interventions. A number of factors associated with increasing or maintaining high risk behaviors, including an HIV negative serostatus and a greater perceived chance of acquiring AIDS, were also observed. Continued outreach to drug injectors is recommended, as well as the development of new and creative interventions targeting individuals who are HIV negative and those who are aware of their high risk status but have not changed their behaviors in response to risk-reduction interventions.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed2001

The behavioral risks and life circumstances of adolescent mothers involved with older adult partners.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate behavioral risks and life circumstances of adolescent mothers with older (> or =5 years) adult (> or =20 years old) vs. similar-aged (+/-2 years) male partners at 12 months' postpartum. METHODS: Nine hundred thirty-one adolescent females were interviewed after delivery and were mailed surveys to complete at 12 months' postpartum. Analysis by chi(2) and t test was used to identify differences in behavioral risks (planned repeated pregnancy, substance use, and intimate partner violence) and life circumstances (financial status, school enrollment, and social support) for adolescent mothers with older adult vs similar-aged partners. Additional stratified analyses were conducted to evaluate the extent to which living with an adult authority figure or being with the father of her infant born 12 months previously might alter observed relationships. RESULTS: At 12 months following delivery, 184 adolescent mothers (20%) reported having an older adult partner, whereas 312 (34%) had a similar-aged partner. The remaining adolescent mothers (n = 239) were excluded from further analyses. Adolescent mothers with older adult partners were significantly less likely to be employed or enrolled in school and were more likely to report planned repeated pregnancies. These adolescent mothers also received less social support. No differences were observed in intimate partner violence or the mother's substance use. Adolescent mothers with older adult partners who did not live with an adult authority figure seemed to be at greatest risk. CONCLUSIONS: The negative educational and financial impact of coupling with an older vs. similar-aged partner seems greater for those mothers who no longer reside with an adult authority figure. These adolescent mothers are also at greater risk of planned rapid repeated pregnancy. Given their limited educational attainment and family support, a subsequent pregnancy may place these young women at considerable financial and educational disadvantage.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Radon-smoking synergy: A population-based behavioral risk reduction approach.

BACKGROUND: Radon and cigarette smoking have a synergistic, multiplicative effect on lung cancer rates. Smokers, and perhaps nonsmoking residents, of smoking households are at increased risk for lung cancer even when radon levels are relatively low. A behavioral risk reduction strategy emphasizing smoking cessation is proposed and data are presented from pilot studies and a short-term evaluation of a randomized intervention trial. METHODS: Pilot studies, including radon testing, interviews, questionnaires, and focus groups, led to a three-arm randomized intervention trial comparing two kinds of written materials and telephone counseling. Smoking households were recruited by offering free radon test kits through an electric utility companies billing system. Three-month follow-up data were obtained by mail and phone. RESULTS: Of an estimated 2,600 smoking households in the utility district, 1,220 requested a radon test kit, and 714 were randomized into three treatment conditions. Brief phone counseling (up to two short calls) significantly increased smoking quit rates, compared to written materials only, and was also related to other risk reduction behaviors (e.g., household ban on smoking). CONCLUSIONS: Offering free radon testing through a public utility billing system is an effective recruitment tool for reaching households at risk due to radon-smoking synergy. Brief telephone counseling is superior to written materials in reducing smoking and encouraging indoor smoking bans. Methods are needed to better inform smokers of their additional risk from exposure to even low levels of radon.

Adult↗