A Comparison of 2017 YRBS Data Regarding Weapon-Related Violence in Duval County, Florida and Nationwide

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare data from the National 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and the Duval County, FL 2017 YRBS regarding the prevalence of weapon-related violence among high school students. Alongside the collection of national data, the CDC funds particular large urban school districts to collect data on their specific populations. Among those is Duval County, FL, one of the largest school districts in the state of Florida that is home to over 129,000 students and 206 schools (National Center for Education Statistics, 2018). In examining the results, we used an analysis of secondary data for four questions which address how often an individual carries a weapon on and off school property, feelings of safety on campus, and threats to safety on campus. Results indicated that high school students in Duval County, FL, did not go to school because they felt unsafe at school or on their way from school more often than high school students at the national level. Furthermore, compared to students nationally, more high school students in Duval County, FL were threatened or injured with a weapon on school campus. There were no significant findings regarding the prevalence of weapon-carrying behaviors among Duval County, FL high school students and high school students nationwide. Potential contributors to the higher prevalence of weapon-related violence behaviors may reflect elements of the Social Determinants of Health including, socioeconomic, cultural and environmental conditions, all of which are associated with the diverse population in Duval County, FL.