Risks among inner-city young teens: The prevalence of sexual activity, violence, drugs, and smoking

Abstract

Boston University's Youth at Risk (URISK) program is working to reduce five high-risk behaviors: violence, sexual activity, drinking, illicit drug use, and smoking, among inner-city public middle-school students, grades 6–8. To set program priorities and for subsequent program evaluation, students in four schools completed a self-report questionnaire. Violence (physical fighting or carrying a knife or a gun) and sexual activity were the most commonly reported risks, 54% and 38%, respectively, for such activity within the past year. Four-fifths of the students reported risk in at least one of the five risk categories at some time; two-thirds reported current risk in at least one category. Among those reporting two or more current risks, over 90% included violence, and over 80% included sexual activity. Except for smoking, risk rates were lower in females than in males. Risk rates for violence and drug use were similar among blacks and whites, while sexual activity was more common and drinking and smoking less common among blacks compared with whites. Rates for all high-risk behaviors were consistently lower for Hispanics than non-Hispanic whites. Risk rates for violence were similar for grades 6–8. Sexual activity increased mainly from the 7th to the 8th grade. Drinking increased both from the 6th to the 7th grade and again from the 7th to the 8th grade. Drug use and smoking increased only from the 6th to the 7th grade.