The effectiveness of age based empowerment program on knowledge and attitude regarding risk taking behaviour and its prevention among adolescents studying in selected PU colleges of Vijayapur

Abstract

Background: Adolescence involves personal growth. Several risk-taking behaviour occur at this vital time. A practise that is dangerous for an early teen may not be harmful for a late adolescent. This time period has various developmental features. Risky activity may be socially acceptable depending on its type, frequency, and level. Furthermore, empirical data reveals that young individuals are more prone to participate in dangerous behaviour with catastrophic and long-term repercussions. Methods: A pre-experimental study was conducted among 120 adolescents at selected PU College of Vijaypura District, Karnataka. Study participants were selected by convenient sampling technique, and data were collected using pre-tested, structured questionnaires. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: None of 120 individuals understood risk-taking and its prevention in the pre-test, whereas 87.5% (Sufficient knowledge) and 12.5% (Adequate knowledge) did post-test. After the post-test, attitudes were 53.3% negative and 46.7% positive, with a p<0.05% (t=62.21) and a significant threshold of 0.05. Knowledge was increased to 80.21% from difference mean pertest 3.74 to 18.7 mean post-test. The mean pretest and post-test attitude scores were 28.5 and 28.4, respectively. Difference was negligible and non-significant. Age-based empowerment programming efficacy on teenage risk-taking behaviour is 0.05. Some demographics did not affect pretest knowledge, but gender did. Conclusions: Risk-taking is a global issue that worries individuals and communities. Adolescents are often unaware of their risky activity. Many took risks owing to poverty, lack of parental supervision, peer pressure, and enjoyment. However, competent counselling can address dangerous behaviour.