Adolescent School Students Research Articles

Sensorimotor Processing in Elite and Sub-Elite Adolescent Sprinters during Sprint Starts: An Electrophysiological Study.

Most studies on sprint performance have focused on kinematics and kinetics of the musculoskeletal system for adults, with little research on the central sensorimotor transmission and processes, especially for adolescent sprinters. This study aimed to determine whether differences in the integrity of the central auditory system and audiomotor transmissions between the elite and sub-elite adolescent sprinters may affect their performance in the 100 m time. Twenty-nine adolescent junior high school students, including elite national-class and sub-elite regional-class athletes, were assessed. Visual and auditory evoked potentials (VEP and AEP) as well as electroencephalography (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) were recorded and analyzed during a sprint start. The electrophysiological results clearly reveal differences in central auditory transmission between elite and sub-elite groups, and between sexes. There were significant differences between elite and sub-elite groups, and during a sprint start, the EEG activities for elite female and male athletes showed significant time-dependent differences in peak amplitudes following the three auditory cues (ready, set, and gunshot). These findings can provide coaches with a more comprehensive consideration for sports-specific selection based on the athletes' individual conditions, e.g., sensorimotor neuroplastic training for providing precise and efficient training methods to improve young sprinters' performance.

Menstrual hygiene management practice and associated factors among high school and preparatory school adolescent students in Debre Markos town, Northwest, Ethiopia: a mixed-method study

BackgroundDespite being a normal occurrence, menstruation requires hygienic care and is associated with a number of myths and wrongdoings. Menstrual hygiene issues have been linked to major health issues, such as urinary tract and reproductive tract infections. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the management of menstrual hygiene and related aspects among teenage students in Debre Markos town, North West, Ethiopia.MethodsFrom March 15 to April 15, 2019, teenage pupils in Debre Markos town participated in a cross-sectional mixed study. An in-depth interview and a self-administered structured questionnaire were used to gather data. Quantitative information was imported into Epi Data and then exported to SPSS for examination. A 95% Confidence Interval of p-value ≤ 0.05 was used to declare significance. The method of thematic content analysis was used to examine the qualitative data.ResultThis study comprised 531 individuals in total, with a 96.2% response rate. Approximately 260 adolescent females (49%, 95% CI: 39.2, 59.2) had good management practices for menstrual hygiene. Girls whose mothers were private employees (AOR: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.09, 0.99), self-employed (AOR: 0.52, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.98) and housewives (AOR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.98), and parent-adolescent discussions about menstruation (AOR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.40, 3.34) were significantly associated with good menstrual hygiene management. Adolescence aged 17 years or older (AOR: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.32, 3.44) were found to have good knowledge regarding menstrual hygiene (AOR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.43, 2.94). The qualitative study found that ignorance, an unfavorable school climate, and cultural and economic factors were the main causes of teenagers’ poor menstrual hygiene.ConclusionNearly half of adolescent girls had good menstrual hygiene practice. Menstrual hygiene practice was associated with adolescent age, knowledge of menstruation, maternal occupational and discussion with parents. Girls had difficulty to manage menstrual hygiene due to poor knowledge, unsafe school environment, and cultural barriers. Thus, school-based programs aimed at improving knowledge towards menstrual hygiene management are needed.

The Association Between Proneness to Smartphone Addiction and Social Anxiety Among School Students and the Mediating Role of Social Support: A Call to Advance Jordanian Adolescents' Mental Health.

Social anxiety is an emerging public health issue associated with significant impairment of social functioning during adolescence. Among many determinants of social anxiety, proneness to smartphone addiction may significantly contribute to the development of social anxiety. To cope with the consequential development of social anxiety, adolescent school students may rely on various forms of social support. Particularly in the Middle East, including Jordan, the relationship between proneness to smartphone addiction and adolescent social anxiety is understudied. To examine the mediating role of social support in the relationship between proneness to smartphone addiction and social anxiety in a sample of adolescent school students. In this cross-sectional study, 432 adolescents were recruited via a random cluster sample from public schools across three provinces in Jordan. The data were collected face-to-face using the Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents, the Smartphone Addiction Proneness Scale, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Significantly higher levels of social anxiety were associated with females of lower economic status who reported more gaming hours and higher levels of proneness to smartphone addiction. Familial social support significantly mediated the relationship between proneness to smartphone addiction and social anxiety, controlling for the other covariates in the social anxiety model. Familial social support reduced the impact of proneness to smartphone addiction on social anxiety. Nurses may supplement treatment for reducing social anxiety in adolescents suffering from proneness to smartphone addiction by fostering sources of familial social support.

Quality of life assessment of adolescent secondary school students from Potosí

Quality of life assessment of adolescent secondary school students from Potosí

Determinants of Disordered Eating Behaviours (DEBs) among Adolescent Female School Students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Study.

The risk of DEB is more prevalent in girls, particularly during adolescence. The onset of DEB can be triggered by many inter-related factors, including biological, social, parental, and psychosocial. To date, very little is known about the determinants of DEBs in Saudi adolescent girls. Using a qualitative analysis, this study explored potential determinants of DEB among adolescent girls in Riyadh. Eighteen semi-structured interviews were carried out with adolescent girls (mean age = 14.06, SD = 0.87) who reported a high risk of DEB (EAT-26 ≥ 20) in intermediate and secondary schools in Riyadh. The mean weight was 51 kg (SD = 11.8) with BMI ranging from 14.18 kg/m2 to 27.51 kg/m2. EAT-26 scores ranged from 21 to 42 (M = 26.8, SD = 5.6). Data were transcribed and revised, then themes and sub-themes were assigned using MAXQDA 24. The most common DEBs reported were dieting and binging, followed by induced vomiting. Major themes were related to negative cognitions, conscious imitation/copying behaviours, bullying, comparisons, and negative comments. Some participants identified the possibility of biological and familial factors in increasing the likelihood of DEB. Our findings provide a framework that could be used to increase understanding of DEB and inform the development of interventions to address underlying causes of DEB in Saudi adolescent girls.

Interpersonal Communication Competence: The Role of Sex, Parenting Styles, and Attachment Styles

An individual’s capability and capacity for interpersonal communication is heavily dependent on environmental, personal, and social factors. This study explores the effects of sex, parenting styles experienced, and attachment styles on the interpersonal communication competence of adolescents. A sample of 240 senior high school students from De La Salle University Integrated School Manila was selected through convenience sampling. Results reveal that adolescent senior high school students are above average in overall interpersonal communication competence. They are excellent in the emotional support dimension of ICC and above average in the initiation, negative assertion, disclosure, and conflict management dimensions. Sex, parenting styles of mothers and fathers, and attachment style have no significant effect on the initiation and negative assertion dimensions of ICC. However, sex has significant effects on the emotional support and conflict management dimensions of ICC. Data show that females are significantly better at emotional support and conflict management regardless of attachment style, except for adolescents with an anxious attachment style, where males are better than females at emotional support and conflict management. On the other hand, only sex has a significant effect on the overall ICC of adolescent senior high school students.

Overweight and obesity and associated factors among public and private secondary school adolescent students in Harar city, Eastern Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study.

Adolescent overweight and obesity are growing public health concerns in developing nations like Ethiopia. They are closely linked to an increased risk of non-communicable diseases, a deterioration in health-related quality of life, subpar academic performance, and a decline in social and emotional well-being. There is, however, little research in this field. Thus, this study aimed to assess overweight and obesity and associated factors among public and private secondary school adolescent students in Harar city, Eastern Ethiopia. A school-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 781 secondary school adolescents in Harar city from February to March 2022. Multi-stage sampling was used to identify 781 study participants (586 in public and 195 in private schools). Anthropometric measures and self-administered structured questionnaires were used to obtain the data. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine the association between independent variables and overweight and obesity. Statistical significance was declared at P < .05. The overall magnitude of overweight and obesity was 9.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 7.2-11.4%] with 16.2% in private schools. Being female [adjusted odd ratio (AOR) = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.17-3.55], late adolescent age [AOR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.31-0.90], bigger family size [AOR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.31-0.97], high paternal education level [AOR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.08-3.81], eating meat [AOR = 3.41, 95% CI: 1.27-9.17] and not consuming breakfast daily [AOR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.24-3.67] were factors associated with overweight and obesity among all secondary school adolescents. A high maternal educational level, not eating breakfast and dinner daily in private secondary school adolescents and having a feminine gender, eating eggs, and not walking or riding a bicycle for at least 10 minutes continuously in public secondary school adolescents were factors associated with overweight and obesity. The extent of overweight and obesity was notably higher in the study area. Communities and educational institutions should work together to promote healthy lifestyle choices among adolescents, with a special emphasis on girls and students enrolled in private schools.

Prodromal questionnaire (PQ-16) dimensionality among Colombian adolescent school students.

The study aimed to determine the dimensionality of the Spanish version of the PQ-16 among Colombian adolescent school students. A validation study was designed with the participation of 334 Colombian adolescent students aged between 13 and 17 (M = 15.2, SD = 1.1); 171 (52.1%) were girls, and 163 (47.9%) were boys, 229 (68.6%) were ninth-grade students and 105 (31.4%) were tenth-grade students. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed, internal consistency was calculated with the Kuder-Richardson and McDonald's omega tests, and correlation with suicide ideation was computed with the Kendall correlation (r). The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the PQ-16 adequately fit a unidimensional structure: RMSEA = 0.05 (90%CI 0.04-0.06), CFI = 0.91, TLI = 0.90, SRMR = 0.05, chi-squared = 193.18 (df = 102, p < 0.001) and normalized chi-squared = 1.89. This factor presented high internal consistency: Kuder-Richardson test and McDonald's omega of 0.83. The correlation between the PQ-16 and suicide ideation was r = 0.45 (p < 0.001). The PQ-16 is a one-dimensional tool with high internal consistency and correlation with suicide ideation among schooled adolescents. Further research should explore the PQ-16 performance against a structured clinical interview.

The Impact of Family Functioning Factors on Smartphone Addiction and Phubbing among Muslim Adolescents in Thailand.

While there is research on protective factors against smartphone addiction (SA) and phubbing, which impact adolescents' physical, psychological, interpersonal, and academic well-being, focused studies on these issues among Thai Muslim students in Southern Thailand remain scarce. To bridge this gap, this research aimed to explore the influence of five family functioning factors-discipline, communication and problem-solving (CPS), relationship, emotional status, and family support-guided by family systems theory and the McMaster Model, on SA and phubbing. Data from 825 Thai Muslim adolescent secondary school students (Female N = 459 (55.7%), Mage = 15.11 ± 1.78) across three southern Thai provinces were analyzed utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM). Significant connections were identified between family functioning factors, particularly emotional status and discipline, and SA, and their impact on phubbing behavior. SA was found to mediate the relationship between these two family factors and phubbing. Interestingly, a higher quality of family relationships was found to be associated with an increased risk of SA, while the other two family functions-CPS and family support-demonstrated no significant association with these digital behaviors. Despite its limitations, including a cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reports, the study underscores the importance of specific family functions in preventing and addressing adolescent SA and phubbing.

Psychosocial elements as correlates of academic disposition of adolescents living with grandparents

Academic excellence from students is desirable to parents, but recently the passion to strive for such success seems to be dwindling among female adolescent secondary school students hence the need for this study which examined psychosocial elements as correlates of the academic disposition of adolescents living with grandparents. A correlational research method was applied. Three research questions were raised and three hypotheses were formulated. The population comprised 253 female students randomly selected from nine senior secondary schools from four Local Government Areas of Education District III. Instruments used for data collection were the Rosenberg self-esteem scale and a self-developed questionnaire by the researcher tagged Academic Disposition and Sexual Proneness Questionnaire (ADSPQ). Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, and Multiple Regression. Findings revealed that adolescent students living with grandparents in Education District III do not necessarily get involved in sexual activities because of their living conditions. One recommendation made was grandparents should be encouraged to engage in sexuality and sex-related conversations with their children as early as possible. Keywords: academic excellence; Adolescents; female students; grandparents; sexual-proneness

IJCM_341A: Prevalence Of Depression And Anxiety Among High School Adolescents Of Urban Area, Belagavi - A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Adolescence, which lasts from the ages of 10-19, is the stage of life between childhood and adulthood. Health issues like alcohol and drug use, poor nutrition, and physical inactivity are widespread among adolescents. Notably, mental health stands out as one of the most prevalent and significant concerns in this age group. Schools are beneficial in recognizing the mental health care needs of adolescents, given that a substantial amount of their time is spent at school. Hence the study was conducted in school to investigate prevalence of depression and anxiety among adolescent students. Objective: To assess the prevalence of depression and anxiety among high school adolescents and to know the determinants associated with it. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out among high school adolescent students of schools in urban area of Belagavi. After getting approval from IEC, the data was collected from 100 students using pre-designed, pretested questionnaire. And Depression and Anxiety were assessed using the Becks Depression Inventory (BDI) scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) respectively. Results: Depression prevalence was 45% among students, categorized as mild (23%), borderline (9%), moderate (8%), and severe (5%) based on Becks Depression Inventory. Mean BDI score was 11.31±8.40. Surprisingly, 97% had anxiety with 76% mild, 17% moderate,4% severe anxiety as per Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, with mean HAM-A score of 10.72±8.18. Most affected students were 16 years old, Class-2 socioeconomic status, Hindus, from nuclear families, residing in pucca houses, consuming mixed diet, facing learning difficulties and lacking relationship affairs. A statistically significant association existed between depression and house type, as well as history of child abuse (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Almost half of high school students experience varying mental health issues. Supported counseling centers in schools, implementing periodic screening, and integrating mental health education into routine activities are crucial recommendations for reducing adolescent mental health problems.

GAMBARAN STATUS GIZI REMAJA PELAJAR SEKOLAH MENENGAH PERTAMA/SEDERAJAT DI KOTA SIBOLGA

Conducting anthropometric assessments to evaluate the nutritional status of adolescents represents a relatively straightforward and cost-effective approach for early detection of nutritional concerns. One of the health programs integrated with anthropometric measurements in adolescents is the health screening program and periodic examinations of school-age children and adolescents. This study aims to describe the nutritional status of adolescent junior high school students located in Sibolga City. This descriptive research used a cross-sectional study design through secondary data from the health screening results of new students in class VII of junior high school/equivalent in the 2018/2019 academic year. Further data processing and analysis were carried out from January to July 2023. The amount of data that had fulfilled the research inclusion criteria and was further processed to 1,550 respondents. Univariate analysis was employed to describe the description of the frequency and percentage values of each variable. The findings indicated that most respondents were 10-12 years old (78,06%) and attended public schools (68,32%). The proportion of male gender at 50,32% was almost equal to that of female at 49,68% and most respondents had good nutritional status (69,55%). The prevalence of respondents with poor nutritional status was 2,26%, undernutrition 7,23%, overnutrition 14,77%, and obesity 6,19%. The researcher expects that there will be further research related to the incidence of overnutrition problems in adolescents and the factors that influence its situation in Sibolga City.

Biological age assessment method teenage students

To assess the biological age of adolescents, the special literature offers 9 methods for boys and 14 methods for girls. The aim of the article was to determine the more informative methods for boys and girls. Methods: anthropometry, somatometry, somatoscopy, tonometry, spirometry, dynamometry, Hench and Shtange tests, Ruffier and Robinson indices. The interaction of the results of different methods for the assessment of biological age was analysed using factor analysis (principal components method) for groups of subjects of the same gender and age. Boys aged 14-15 (n=102) and girls aged 12-13 (n=101) were studied. The choice of these age groups was explained by the presence of the most significant individual differences in morpho-functional features in the school students of this age. Results: among the methods for assessment of biological age in adolescent school students proposed in the literature, there is not a single one that would be statistically siginificantly related to the other methods. This applies to both boys and girls. The biological age of adolescents can be reliably determined using a set of three components: an assessment of physical development, the heterochronicity index, and the degree of manifestation of secondary sexual characteristics (for boys with a probability of 90.2%, for girls - 92.1%). The percentage ratio of these components has gender peculiarities. Methods for assessing biological age for scientific purposes and quick assessment for use in the practice of physical education and sports are proposed. The indicators in quick assessment technique include body length and the degree of development of the axillary hair. The reliability of the quick assessment technique is 81.4% for boys and 83.2% for girls. Conclusion: the development of adequate physical activity for adolescents of different biological ages will help to improve the physical health of the younger generation.

Patterns of adolescent students' use of mobile phones for educational activities

This study was conducted to identify patterns of adolescent students' use of mobile phones for educational activities. Survey research design was used and implemented through three objectives, determining the extent of mobile phone use among adolescent students, identifying the mobile phone usage patterns of adolescent school students, and identifying the problems faced by the students due to the use of mobile phones. The sample is eighty grade 12 students studying advanced level technology stream in two schools of Ibbagamuwa education division. Using questionnaire and interview schedule collected data. Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques used. According to the data analysis, Mobile phone usage among adolescent students has increased rapidly in the year 2020 and all students are currently using mobile phones and weaning them from using mobile phones is an impossible task, and get them to use mobile phones effectively is possible. They often try to keep and use their mobile phone privately. Also use it for non-academic activities. The use of mobile phones has weakened their relationships. The main reasons for uncontrolled use of mobile phones by students are parents' lax policies and lack of knowledge. Following suggestions are made to guide adolescent students to use mobile phones effectively. Implementation of training programs for students and teachers on use of mobile phones for academic purposes and awareness programs for parents. Students should directed to use smart classrooms and tab computers in a planned schedule in school. Apply for concessional data packages and scholarships for students.

Narcissistic vulnerability and binge eating in adolescence: The mediating role of emotion dysregulation and dissociative experiences

IntroductionAlthough evidence suggests a link between vulnerable narcissism and binge eating (BE), an important question remains whether the narcissistic vulnerability has a direct or indirect effect on BE, and which variables may be involved in such associations. The present study aims to explore a mediational trajectory between vulnerable narcissism and BE through emotion dysregulation and dissociation. MethodsParticipants were 253 (Mage = 15.63, SD = 1.74; range=12–18 years; F = 172, 68%) Italian students screened by self-report measures assessing narcissism, emotion dysregulation, dissociative states, and BE. ResultsVulnerable narcissism showed an indirect effect on BE with emotion dysregulation and dissociation serving as significant mediators in such a relationship (χ2(4) = 6.623; RMSEA = 0.05; SRMR = 0.023; CFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.95), explaining 51 % of the variance in BE. LimitationsLimitations concerned the cross-sectional and self-report nature of the study. Also, the study only included adolescent school students. DiscussionsFindings suggest that a psychic fragility of the Ego (vulnerable narcissism) likely has an indirect effect on BE, through emotion dysregulation and dissociative states. BE seems to represent an acting-out occurring in a specific psychic condition defined by feelings of disconnectedness and lack of control. Potential implications for theory, research, prevention and treatment are discussed.

The Prevalence of Disordered Eating Behaviours (DEBs) among Adolescent Female School Students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Adolescence is a sensitive stage of life that is particularly vulnerable to nutritional problems, including DEBs. This cross-sectional study aims to explore the prevalence of DEBs among adolescent female school students in four intermediate and secondary schools in the city of Riyadh and to examine predictors associated with DEBs, including age, BMI and school regions. A total of 416 female students aged 12-19 years took part in this study. Weight and height were measured for students before the EAT-26 test was completed. Overweight and obesity were observed among 37.7% (n = 157) of students, 50.7% (n = 211) had a normal BMI and 11.5% (n = 48) were underweight. Results indicated that 123 (29.6%) students reported an EAT-26 score of 20 or more, indicating a high risk of DEB. Age was a significant predictor of DEB risk (OR = 3.087, 95% CI = 1.228-7.760), with the older age group (16-19 years) reporting a higher risk than the younger age group (12-15 years) (p = 0.017). DEB risk partially differed by school region, but BMI was not a statistically significant predictor. The high-risk group reported more binging (p = 0.008), induced vomiting (p < 0.001), laxative consumption (p < 0.001) and exercising (p < 0.001) compared with the low-risk group. Further research is warranted to understand DEB current patterns and predictors.

Social media use, knowledge, attitudes, and risky sexual behavior of HIV transmission: A survey among boarding school adolescent students in Indonesia.

Social media has many positive and negative influences on individuals, especially for adolescents related to HIV. However, little is known about how social media impacts HIV-related outcomes among adolescents in boarding schools. This study aims to investigate the social media use, knowledge, attitudes, and sexual behavior at risk of HIV transmission and their relationship with the demographic characteristics of adolescent students at boarding schools. This study was school-based and used a cross-sectional design. The questionnaires were used to assess social network site usage, knowledge, attitudes, and risky behavior. Cluster random sampling involved students (n = 214) from three boarding schools in Cirebon City, West Java, Indonesia, in 2022. Chi-square tests and Cramer's V were used to explore correlations between social and demographic factors. A considerable number of adolescent students exhibited high social media addiction (58.4%), with the majority possessing limited knowledge of HIV transmission (54.7%). Additionally, nearly half displayed a negative attitude towards preventing HIV transmission (47.2%), while only a small fraction engaged in risky behavior (2.8%). Bivariate analysis revealed that social media use was moderately associated with the type of social media application (φc = 0.246, p <0.05). Knowledge of HIV transmission exhibited a moderate correlation with age (φc = 0.331, p <0.05), education level (φc = 0.240, p <0.001), and exposure to information (φc = 0.269, p <0.001). Similarly, attitudes toward HIV prevention demonstrated moderate associations with age (φc = 0.341, p = 0.001), education level (φc = 0.317, p <0.001), and exposure to information (φc = 0.266, p <0.001). Furthermore, risky sexual behavior exhibited a strong association with exposure to pornographic content (φc = 0.730, p <0.001). The study found a high prevalence of social media usage among adolescents, coupled with low knowledge about HIV, negative attitudes, and risky behavior. Significant relationships were observed between social media use, knowledge, attitudes, and risky sexual behavior related to HIV transmission and demographic characteristics. This study emphasizes the vital role of nurses and healthcare professionals in implementing targeted educational interventions in boarding schools to address gaps in HIV risk knowledge influenced by social media, ultimately improving strategies for adolescents' sexual health.

Canvassing the epidemiology of risk behaviors in adolescent school students in a city of eastern Uttar Pradesh

Background: Adolescents while learning a new world of complex priorities; may make choices quickly or impulsively without giving legitimate critical thoughts. The aim was to determine the prevalence of risk behaviors among adolescents and its socio-demographic determinants. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive epidemiological study done on 427 students enrolled in class IX-XII of schools in eastern Uttar Pradesh recruited via cluster sampling. The questionnaire included questions regarding the participant’s profile and risk behaviors. Data analysis was done with SPSS v23 and Chi-Square test. Results: Mean age was 14.86 years. 33% engaged in a physical fight and 25% sustained injuries more than once in the last one year. 15% were bullied. As a bystander, subjects from higher classes (XI-XII) and female gender seem to have more ‘avoiding’ tendencies whereas those from lower classes (IX and X) and male gender preferred to ‘stand against the bully and physical force to stop them’. 8.2% had to escape from school to avoid physical injury. 54% felt depressed, 17.6% contemplated suicide, and 4.4% attempted suicide. Though depression was predominant among rural girls and poor socio-economic status and academics; suicidal ideation and attempt was more common among boys. Conclusions: This study highlights the risk behaviours prevalent among Indian adolescents. It falls in the purview of the Government to improve policies, plan and monitor programs to strengthen the upcoming youth.

Prevalence and associated factors of non-medical use of prescription drugs among adolescents in secondary schools in Buea, Cameroon: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe non-medical use of prescription drugs is a growing public health problem worldwide. Recent trends in Cameroon show that the use of psychoactive substances, among which are prescription drugs by adolescents is becoming a public health issue and is linked to juvenile delinquency and violence in schools. However, there is a paucity of data on the burden of this phenomenon among adolescent secondary school students in the country. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with the use of non-prescription drugs in secondary schools in Buea, South West region of Cameroon.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study from 1st February 2021 to 30th April 2021. Secondary school students were recruited using a multistage stratified cluster sampling. A modified and standardized version of the World Health Organization student drug-use survey model questionnaire was used. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea (No. 2021/1273–02/UB/SG/IRB/FHS). The Statistical Package for Social Sciences, IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0. was used for data analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the sociodemographic characteristics of participants. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to explore associated factors of non-medical use of prescription drugs.ResultsA total of 570 participants were enrolled for the study, and 510 participants responded giving a response rate of 89.5%. The prevalence of non-medical use of prescription drugs was 15.3%, tramadol being the most used. Motivators for non-medical use of prescription drugs were “to work longer”, “to be courageous”, and “curiosity”. Logistic regression results showed that alcohol consumption [OR 3.68; 95% CI: 2.24–6.06; p < 0.001], smoking [OR 6.00; 95% CI: 3.07–11.75; p < 0.001] and use of illicit drugs [OR 10.85; 95% CI: 5.48–21.48; p < 0.001] were independent factors associated with non-medical use of prescription drugs.ConclusionNon-medical use of prescription drugs was prevalent among adolescent secondary school students in Buea, Cameroon. Tramadol is the main drug of prescription involved. Our results can guide policymakers on strategies to screen, prevent and control non-medical use of prescription drugs among secondary school students in Cameroon.

Prevalence of Nomophobia and Associated Factors in Adolescent Female Students: A Cross-sectional Study in Northern Iran

Background: No mobile phone phobia (nomophobia, abbreviated here to NMP) is often utilized to show the fear of losing one’s mobile phone and connectivity and has a frequency of 40 - 100% in different societies. Objectives: This study aimed to reflect on the prevalence of NMP and the role of demographic and psychological factors in the prediction of NMP among adolescent female high school students in northern Iran. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted on adolescent female high school students living in Sari, Mazandaran province, northern Iran, between 2019 - 2020. By employing cluster sampling to select the participants, 588 students were ultimately recruited. The research instruments included a demographic characteristics questionnaire, the Nomophobia Questionnaire, and the Cell Phone Addiction Scale. Using IBM SPSS software (version 26.0), the data were analyzed via Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. Results: The study results revealed that the mean ± standard deviation (SD) of the students’ age was 16.1 ± 1.2 years, and 98.6% of the participants experienced various levels of NMP. Additionally, the NMP and mobile phone dependence (MPD) mean ± SD values were equal to 54.75 ± 21.61 and 49.78 ± 18.05, respectively. A statistically significant direct relationship was further observed between the prevalence rate of NMP and the demographic variables, namely age (P = 0.000), type of school (P = 0.016), level of education (P = 0.000), and father’s education (P = 0.012). Conclusions: The study results indicated the high prevalence rate of NMP and MPD in adolescent female high school students. Therefore, further research is needed to examine the depth of psychological aspects of NMP.