Exploring the risk behaviour of learners in a South African private Christian secondary school

Abstract

Adolescent learners tend to express their independence by engaging in risky health behaviour inclusive of poor eating habits, smoking and alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to assess whether adolescents attending a religious school that maintains strict discipline are less likely to engage in risky behaviour. Learners attending a private Christian school were asked to complete a health risk behavioural questionnaire, which measured attitudes toward eating habits, alcohol and drug use, participation in exercise and sexual activity, smoking habits and adherence to Christian values. The sample group consisted of 117 study participants distributed across all high school Grades. On balance, these learners were more conservative than others attending secular schools and most reported healthy eating habits; 92.3% consumed dairy products, 64.1% consumed more than two fruits and 81.2% more than two vegetables per day. More than 78% exercised regularly. Only 10.2% consumed alcohol, 3.4% smoked and 5.2% used recreational drugs. Of all learners, 93.2% indicated their Christian values as having a moderating impact on their lifestyle. The study concludes with the recommendation to investigate ways in which the strategies employed by this Christian school could be promoted to other schools given the finding that Christian values translate into positive health outcomes amongst adolescents. As it seems that the strict Christian education of these learners leads to less risky health behaviour, ways in which to promote this school’s strategies to other schools could be investigated. Opsomming Tienerleerders sal dikwels hul onafhanklikheid in die vorm van onveilige gesondheidsgedrag soos byvoorbeeld swak eetgewoontes, rook and alkoholgebruik uitdruk. Die doelstelling van die studie was om te bepaal of ‘n skool se streng dissipline, wat klem lê op Christelike beginsels, ‘n invloed het op die voorkoming van onveilige gesondheidsgedrag. Alle leerders van ‘n private Christelike hoërskool is versoek om vrywillig ‘n vraelys wat hulle gedrag en houding aangaande eetgewoontes, alkohol- en dwelmgebruik, oefening, seksuele aktiwiteit, rook en Christelike waardes te bepaal. Die steekproefgrootte was 117 en het leerders van alle Grade (8 – 12) ingesluit. Die resultate dui daarop dat hierdie leerders meer konserwatief is as leerders in ander studies. Die meeste het gesonde eetgewoontes gehad; 92.3% gebruik suiwelprodukte, 64.1% eet meer as twee vrugte en 81/2% eet meer as twee groente per dag. Meer as 78% oefen gereeld. Net 10.2% gebruik alkohol, 3.4% rook en 5.2% het al dwelmmiddels gebruik. Van al die leerders het 93.2% geglo dat hulle Christellike waardes ‘n invloed op hulle leefstyl het. Dit wil dus voorkom of die streng Christelike opvoeding van hierdie leerders tot minder onveilige gesondheidsgedrag lei en maniere om die skool se doelwitte by ander skole bekend te stel, behoort ondersoek te word.