Prevalence Of High-risk Behaviors Research Articles

Agenda-setting in policies related to high-risk sexual behaviours, stimulants, and alcohol abuse in Iranian adolescents

BackgroundThis research article retrospectively analyses the agenda-setting approach of policies concerning high-risk sexual behaviours, stimulant and alcohol abuse among Iranian adolescents.MethodsThis qualitative case study policy analysis involved analysing 51 national documents and conducting interviews with 49 policy-makers and executives. Purposive sampling with a snowball strategy and semi-structured interviews were used. The data was analysed using the framework analysis method, with Kingdon’s multiple streams framework serving as the analytical framework.ResultsThe study has identified the confluence of several factors, including the problem stream, the policy stream and the political stream. Within the problem stream, several factors contributed, such as the prevalence of high-risk behaviours, strong scientific evidence on these behaviours, changes in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission patterns, increased statistics of poisoning and deaths related to alcohol abuse, and the visit of Iran’s supreme leader to the slums of Mashhad city. The policy stream has two periods of denial and acceptance. The denial period includes considering these high-risk behaviours to be the consequences of western culture, emphasis on the religious aspects and sinfulness of these behaviours, resisting the prevalence of anomalous behavioural patterns, abstinence and religious obligation of chastity, and avoiding ethical corruption. The acceptance period includes adolescents training, fear messages, promotional and cultural activities, parent training, school staff training, providing psychiatric services for withdrawal, counselling and reference to receive specialized services. The political stream involves global attention towards non-communicable diseases and high-risk behaviours, and the significant impact of preventing these behaviours during adolescence on the health status of society. Also, the supreme leader’s attention to social harms, and the establishment of the National Committee for Prevention and Control of Alcohol, have played significant roles.ConclusionsWhile the problem stream helped to highlight the problem and increase policy-makers’ attention, the politics stream played a significant role. Despite international evidence on the effectiveness of training in sexual issues in reducing high-risk behaviours, it did not succeed in being added to the agenda. The policy stream was heavily influenced by ideology and the political parties in power, affecting evidence-based policy-making. In countries with an ideological approach, the political stream plays a vital role in setting problems on the agenda.

Prevalence of adolescent risk behaviors at 11 and 15 years of age: data from the 2004 Pelotas birth cohort.

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of the following risk behaviors: experimentation with cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, alcohol, substances, delinquent behavior, and sex at age 15, stratified by sex and socioeconomic position. We also investigated the prevalence of cigarette and alcohol experimentation at age 11 and the persistence and cumulative incidence of these behaviors between 11 and 15 years of age. In this cohort study, we included 3,491 11-year-olds and 1,949 15-year-olds from the 2004 Pelotas Birth Cohort. All outcomes were identified via confidential questionnaires and were analyzed as binary variables. At age 11, there was a higher prevalence of cigarette experimentation among boys. At age 15, there was a higher prevalence of experimentation with alcohol, cigarettes, and substances among girls; experimentation with cigarettes and sex were more prevalent among those in a low socioeconomic position. We found a high cumulative incidence of alcohol experimentation, as well as persistent alcohol experimentation, in both boys and girls. Further research should clarify causal paths of the high prevalence of risk behaviors during adolescence and its increase among girls.

Spatial heterogeneity of risk factors associated with HIV prevalence among men who inject drugs in India: An analysis of the data from the integrated bio-behavioral surveillance, India

People who inject drugs (PWID) are India's third-largest vulnerable population to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. PWID in India are confined to certain geographic locations and exhibit varying injecting and sexual risk behaviors, contributing considerably to increasing HIV trends in specific regions. Spatial heterogeneity in risk factors among vulnerable PWID influences HIV prevalence, transmission dynamics, and disease management. Stratified analysis of HIV prevalence based on risk behaviors and geographic locations of PWID will be instrumental in strategic interventions. To stratify the male PWID based on their risk behaviors in each state and determine the HIV prevalence for each stratum. The behavioral data and HIV prevalence of the national integrated biological and behavioural surveillance (IBBS), a nationwide cross-sectional community-based study conducted in 2014 to 2015, was analyzed. Data from 19,902 men who inject drugs across 53 domains in 29 states of India were included. Women who inject drugs were excluded at the time of IBBS, and hence PWID in this study refers to only men who inject drugs. PWID were categorized based on their risk profile, and the corresponding HIV prevalence for each state was determined. HIV prevalence was the highest (29.6%) in Uttar Pradesh, with a high prevalence of risk behaviors among PWID. High HIV prevalence ranging between 12.1% and 22.4% was observed in a few states in East and North-East India and most states in central and North India. Unsafe injecting and sexual practices were significantly (P < .05) associated with higher HIV prevalence and more significantly in National Capital Territory of Delhi (P < .001). Unsafe injecting practices among PWID were proportionally higher in Western and Central India, whereas unsafe sexual behaviors were widespread among most states. Unsafe sexual practices among male PWID were common. The high prevalence of unsafe injecting had significant HIV infection and transmission risks in Western and Central India. The results emphasize the need for stratified, region-specific interventions and combination approaches for harm reduction among PWID. Strengthening the measures that facilitate the reduction of high-risk behaviors, adoption of safe practices, and utilization of HIV services will positively impact HIV prevention measures among PWID.

Health risk behaviors among Iranian university students: A cross-sectional study

"Background and Aim: The prevalence of high-risk behaviors is one of the most serious issues threatening the health of young people. The first step in preventing youth risk-taking is to recognize the problem and its dimensions. The purpose of this study was to investigate high-risk behaviors among students at Tehran’s universities. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted from March to August 2019. The sample set was 4,000 students. Data was collected by multi-stage sampling at eight universities in Tehran. Demographic information and standard youth-risk questionnaires were used. SPSS 19 software was used to perform an independent t-test, Pearson ANOVA, and linear regression at a significance level of 0.05 on the questionnaire data collected. Results: The mean of the total tendency to high-risk behavior was 130.34±40.37. Significant risks identified were driving (27.3±8.33), violence (18.86±6.4), smoking (18.86±7.68), drugs (22.47±8.83), alcohol (24.10±8.57), and high-risk sexual behavior (18.47±7.49). High-risk behaviors were more common in men, single people, and people living in dormitories (P&lt;0.05). Age and gender were the best-correlated predictors of students' high-risk behaviors. Conclusions: Results show that the tendency to high-risk behaviors in students is a worrying situation. as, at younger ages, the tendency to engage in high-risk behaviors is greater. Among young men and in dormitory life, students are more prone to high-risk behaviors. So, more monitoring in dormitories, especially male dormitories, and better planning and education to reduce high-risk behaviors among students, is necessary "

Risky sexual behavior in American continent college students

Introduction: Sexuality is determined by multiple factors. The knowledge and perceptions of the individual's environment will determine their behavior in this regard. Identifying the perceptions in a population that attends higher education is important to carry out specific prevention activities, since the repercussions of their sexual behavior are decisive for the public health of populations. Objective: Determine what are the perceptions and the main sexual risk behaviors in American university students.&#x0D; Method: Systematic review. The search was carried out in the Cochrane, Medigraphic and PubMed databases with the search words sexual behavior, college students, finding 25,821 results, filtered by language (English or Spanish), access to full text, year of publication (2016-2021), geographic area (American continent) and sample (university population), resulting in n=12 articles. Results: most of the authors agree that American university students, despite having knowledge regarding sexuality and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), do not carry out preventive actions, with a beginning of sexual life approximately at the age of fifteen and multiple partners. simultaneous; condom use is predominant as a method of family planning and sexting as a risky sexual behavior has become more important in recent years. Conclusions: the high prevalence of risk behaviors and the low use of diagnostic tests supports the fact that America is one of the continents with the most annual diagnoses of STIs in the world, with consequences that can be of varying severity and even fatal.&#x0D;

Prevalence of risk behaviors and correlates of SARS-CoV-2 positivity among in-school contacts of confirmed cases in a Georgia school district in the pre-vaccine era, December 2020\u2013January 2021

BackgroundThere is a continuing risk for COVID-19 transmission in school settings while transmission is ongoing in the community, particularly among unvaccinated populations. To ensure that schools continue to operate safely and to inform implementation of prevention strategies, it is imperative to gain better understanding of the risk behaviors of staff and students. This secondary analysis describes the prevalence of COVID-19 risk behaviors in an exposed population of students and school staff in the pre-vaccine era and identifies associations between these behaviors and testing positive for SARS-CoV-2.MethodsFrom December 2020–January 2021, school staff and students exposed to confirmed COVID-19 cases in a Georgia school district were tested for SARS-CoV-2 and surveyed regarding risk behaviors in and out of school. Prevalence of risk behaviors was described by age group and school level, and associations with SARS-CoV-2 positivity were identified using chi squared tests.ResultsOverall, 717 students and 79 school staff participated in the investigation; SARS-CoV-2 positivity was 9.2%. In the 2 weeks prior to COVID-19 exposure, 24% of participants reported unmasked indoor time at school, 40% attended social gatherings with non-household members, and 71% visited out-of-school indoor locations, including 19% who ate indoors in restaurants. Frequencies of risk behaviors increased by age. Among students, 17% participated in school sports, of whom 86% participated without a mask. SARS-CoV-2 positivity was significantly associated with school sports and unmasked time in sports. Among K-5 students, positivity was associated with exposure to a teacher index case.ConclusionsThis analysis highlights the high prevalence of risk behaviors in an unvaccinated population exposed to COVID-19 in school and identifies an association between student sports participation and SARS-CoV-2 positivity. These findings illustrate the importance of school-level prevention measures to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission, including limiting close-contact indoor sports and promoting consistent mask use in unvaccinated individuals. Future research could explore the role of community vaccination programs as a strategy to reduce COVID-19 transmission and introductions into school settings.

Prevalence of HIV infection and high-risk behaviors in truck and bus drivers in Kurdistan province

BackgroundTruck, bus, transit drivers, and men with mobile jobs are at high risk for HIV/AIDS. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of HIV and risky behaviors among truck and bus drivers in Kurdistan province.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on 601 bus and truck drivers in Kurdistan province during 2018–2019. Data on high-risk behaviors were collected using a standard questionnaire. ELISA test was used to detect HIV in the study participants. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, Mann–Whitney U tests, and logistic regression modeling in Stata-14 software.ResultsThe mean and standard deviation of the age of study participants was 44.04 ± 11.44 years. HIV rapid test was positive in two subjects; in other words, the prevalence of HIV in the study population was 0.33%. Ninety-two (15.3%) individuals reported a history of drug use, with one (1.1%) having a history of injecting drugs. One hundred and thirty-one (21.8%) of them had a history of high-risk sexual behavior outside of marriage.ConclusionAccording to the results of the present study, the prevalence of high-risk behaviors in bus and truck drivers is high. It seems necessary to direct the drivers’ attention to self-care while considering disciplinary intervention programs to prevent the use of drugs, cigarettes, alcohol along with high-risk sexual behaviors to maintain the health of drivers and passengers.

Prevalence of High-Risk Behaviors among Iranian Adolescents: a Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Prevalence of High-Risk Behaviors among Iranian Adolescents: a Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ПОДОЛАННЯ ДЕМОГРАФІЧНОЇ КРИЗИ В УКРАЇНІ ЯК ПРІОРИТЕТНЕ ЗАВДАННЯ СОЦІАЛЬНОЇ ПОЛІТИКИ ДЕРЖАВИ

The article highlights the demographic trends in Ukraine, which show signs of an acute demographic crisis. It covers all components of the demographic process and is accompanied by a sharp decline in birth rates, high premature mortality and low life expectancy compared to developed countries, accelerated population aging, increased external labor migration, which often ends in emigration, and so on. It is established that the birth rate in Ukraine has decreased by 40% over the last 10 years. The prevalence of high-risk behaviors and non-communicable diseases is one of the leading causes of one of the highest mortality rates in Europe, especially among men.That the trend of deteriorating health of adolescents and children has progressed significantly. Today in Ukraine the average life expectancy is generally lower than the world average, taking into account Africa and other countries.It is noted that an important problem that negatively affects the modern development of society is the problem of forming family values.It is emphasized that the imposition of these factors destroys the human capital of Ukraine, and thus the basis of sustainable development. The answers to demographic challenges should be sought in socio-economic problems and the need to address them. The state's social policy is designed to help overcome the demographic crisis. It is concluded that social policy, as a priority of state regulation of public life, should promote the reproduction of the population, ensuring the well-being and comprehensive development of citizens and society as a whole. The social policy of the state should be carried out on the basis of state programming of economic and social development. It is substantiated that socio-economic policy should be aimed at solving the most acute social problems, namely increasing employment, increasing wages and labor protection, improving the quality of health care, as well as promoting a healthy lifestyle, state aid to young families. An important tool of social policy is the active development of the state system of social protection. Social insurance should protect workers and the self-employed from the most serious and largescale social risks.

Prevalence of high-risk behaviors in reproductive age women in Alborz province in 2019 using unmatched count technique

BackgroundOur knowledge on the prevalence of high-risk behaviors among women of Alborz is not reliable due to the sensitivity of the issue. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of seven risk behaviors among the reproductive age women in Alborz Province, Iran.MethodIn this cross-sectional study, 2000 women were randomly selected from a registered healthcare system in 2019. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect the required data. The prevalence of the risk behaviors including drug abuse, hookah, alcohol drinking, tobacco smoking, extramarital intercourse, and gambling was estimated using the unmatched count technique, and the prevalence rate was reported at a 95% confidence interval.ResultsThe response rate for this study was 95%. The estimated prevalence for drug abuse, hookah, alcohol drinking, tobacco smoking, extramarital intercourse, and gambling were 3% (95%CI: 2.78 to 3.22), 10.5% (95%CI: 10.29 to 10.71), 7% (95%CI: 6.78 to 7.22), 10% (95%CI: 9.78 to 10.22), 8.7% (95%CI, 8.29 to 8.71), and 7.5% (95%CI, 4.71 to 7.28), respectively.ConclusionHigh risk behaviors are highly prevalent among Iranian women. Enforcing laws, prohibition, marketing restrictions, increasing taxation, expanding treatment, promoting condom distribution and providing community-based service are recommended to reduce the effects of high risk behaviors among women.

Prevalence and Knowledge of High Risk Behaviours among College Students

Introduction: Youth is a critical period for the initiation and sustenance of high risk behaviours, as they knowingly or unknowingly indulge in alcohol use, drug use and tobacco use which leads to lifestyle diseases and significant health problems, emerging as a global threat in the future. Hence the investigator step forward for the youth, by conducting a descriptive study to identify the prevalence of high risk behaviours and to assess knowledge on its various health consequences among college students in selected colleges of Thrissur district in Kerala, India. Materials and Methods: A quantitative non-experimental approach and descriptive study design were used for the study with a sample size of 610 college students who were selected by multi stage random sampling. High risk behaviour inventory and knowledge questionnaire were the tools used. Data were organized, tabulated and analysed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: Overall prevalence of high risk behaviours was 30.1%. Among the respondents, 28.7% were using alcohol, 1% was using drugs, 9.7% and 2.5% reported the use of tobacco and smokeless tobacco in their life respectively. About 42.1% of male students and 16.1% of female students reported high risk behaviours. Majority (63.6%) of them reported average level of knowledge related to high risk behaviours. Conclusion: The study concluded that early identification of high risk behaviours and assessment of knowledge help to plan effective risk reduction and health promotive strategies. How to cite this article:Chiyedath JM, Vijayakumari S, Riaz KM. Prevalence and Knowledge of High Risk Behaviours among College Students. Int J Nurs Midwif Res 2019; 6(4): 52-56. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/2455.9318.201933Chiyedath JM, Vijayakumari S, Riaz KM. Prevalence and Knowledge of High Risk Behaviours among College Students. Int J Nurs Midwif Res 2019; 6(4): 52-56.

Preliminary Findings of KINNECT: A Psychosocial Intervention for Youth in Residential Treatment

ABSTRACT Early intervention programs for youth in residential treatment can have a positive impact on numerous outcomes, including health, educational performance, and reduced prevalence of high-risk behaviors. Yet, there is currently a limited number of evidenced-based interventions that treat youth in these settings. This paper presents preliminary findings of a new psychosocial treatment for adolescents in residential treatment that can be implemented by front-line youth professionals. A 20-session multimodal group social skill building intervention, called KINNECT, was developed to address numerous health-risk behaviors through movement-based psychosocial skill building. A quasi-experimental post-test only design using non-equivalent groups was used on 63 participants from two residential treatment facilities in the Midwest. The findings of this study found a reduced likelihood of non-emergency medical visits and self-harming behavior in those who participated in the KINNECT intervention. The authors provide a discussion of these findings along with recommendations for future research.

Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay for Identification of Clinical Enterococcus Species

Background: Given the prevalence of high-risk behaviors among various sections of a society, prostitution is considered one of the most important current problems. Objectives: The present study was conducted to determine the awareness of known women with high-risk sexual status about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and their individual-social predictors in Kermanshah, Iran, in 2015. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 173 prostitutes. All eligible female prostitutes who had records at the Department of Welfare, the health centers, and the drug rehabilitation centers were selected by convenience sampling. Street prostitutes were also selected by snowball sampling method. Socio-demographic and knowledge questionnaires were used to collect data. The data were analyzed by using an independent t test, one-way ANOVA test, and multivariate linear regression model. Results: The mean (SD) score of knowledge was 62.1 (18.2) within the acquirable score range of zero to 100. According to the multivariate linear regression model, variables including duration of staying at this job, education level, husband’s education, father's job, number of children, age at the first sexual activity, and the ways of supplying condoms were knowledge predictors while adjusting other variables. Conclusions: Educational planning should include all age groups from all social and economic classes. Identifying and focusing on the variables of knowledge can improve the knowledge of women about STIs.

Mortality by cause of death and risk behaviors in farmers versus non-farmers: the importance of avoiding the healthy worker effect.

To compare mortality by cancer sites and by other specific causes of death, and the prevalence of risk behaviors in farmers and non-farmers in Spain. Mortality by cause of death was calculated based on a longitudinal study with 10-years follow-up of 9.5million men and 6 million women aged 20-64years who were employed in 2001. The prevalence of risk behaviors was calculated from the 2001 National Health Survey in the 6464 employed men and 5573 employed women aged 20-64. The study subjects were grouped as farmers and non-farmers. For each cause of death, we estimated the ratio of age-standardized mortality rates, and for each risk behavior we estimated the age-standardized prevalence ratio in farmers versus non-farmers. In men, the mortality rate for most cancer sites did not differ significantly between farmers and non-farmers, except for cancers of the lip, oral cavity, stomach, larynx and skin epidermoid carcinoma-which was higher in farmers-and cancers of the liver, pancreas and mesothelioma-which was lower in farmers. In contrast, farmers had a higher rate of mortality from most other diseases and from external causes of death. In women, farmers showed lower mortality from lung cancer, breast cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease, and higher mortality from external causes. The prevalence of smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and obesity was higher in farmers than in non-farmers, except smoking and excessive alcohol consumption in women where prevalence was lower in farmers. Findings are different from those found in other studies. In men, greater exposure to the sun and the higher prevalence of risk behaviors in farmers could explain their excess mortality from some cancer sites and the other causes of death. However, other factors may be behind this excess risk of mortality from these causes, given that farmers did not show higher mortality from some cancers related to smoking. In women, no differences were observed in mortality rate for majority of causes of death between farmers and non-farmers.

High-Risk Behaviors among Commercial Drivers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Background: Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are the leading cause of death in the world in the young age category. Pakistan is a populous country with a huge number of vehicles on the roads with little safety and security measures in place. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of high-risk behaviours, road crashes and the factors contributing to road crashes among commercial drivers. Methods: A cross-sectional study on commercial drivers was conducted at largest government bus/truck station of Peshawar, Pakistan. All these bus and truck stands are government registered vehicles stands. The duration of the study was six months, starting from October 2015 to March 2016. Multistage sampling technique was used as a sampling technique. Information was collected from 400 commercial drivers through a structured questionnaire about socio-demographics, high-risk driving behaviours, driving hours, use of drugs while driving, vehicle maintenance and crash involvement. Univariate logistic regression was applied for the association and Multiple logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine the potential confounders association between accidents and independent variables like over speeding, poor vision, use of cell phone while driving, use of seat belts. STATA 13.1 was used for analysis. Results: Overall, 400 commercial drivers were included in the study with the mean age of 38±7.7years. The minimum age of the driver was 18 years and maximum age 56 years’ with41% drivers between age group 31 to 40 years. Almost half of the drivers (44%) had primary education and around half (54%) were unable to read traffic sign boards. Around one third (31%) of the commercial drivers had road traffic accidents in the past which were highest large busses (44%) followed by Toyota Hiace (34%). Regarding high-risk behaviour; around one fifth (19%) of the drivers reported overspending, two third (66%) used cell phone while driving, with (39.5%) drivers use cannabis while driving. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that over speeding(OR= 3.8, 95% CI 2.58 — 5.64, P = 0.001), driving at night (OR = 2.2, 95% CI 1.19 — 4.06, P = 0.01) and poor vision(OR = 2.59, 95% CI 1.23—5.46, P = 0.012)were associated with RTAs while age (OR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.42—0.85, P = 0.004) and valid license(OR = 0.41, 95% CI 0.23—0.72, P =0.002) were protective. Conclusion: High-risk behaviours like over speeding, running red lights, lack of valid driving license and poor vision were found to be strongly associated with road traffic accidents. These high-risk behaviours are prevalent in commercial drivers of Pakistan. Strict check and balance from traffic police are needed to overcome these high-risk behaviours.

Inatividade física e fatores de risco para doenças crônicas em professores universitários

Introdução: Os baixos níveis de atividade fisica estão relacionados com o aumento da ocorrência de doenças crônicas. Objetivos: Verificar a prevalência dos comportamentos de risco para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis e associar esses comportamentos com a inatividade física de professores universitários de uma instituição privada na cidade de Brasília, DF, Brasil. Métodos: Participaram 285 professores universitários de uma instituição particular. Os dados foram coletados por meio de um questionário autoaplicável e o nível de atividade física foi avaliado pelo Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física. Resultados: A prevalência de baixos níveis de atividade física foi de 61,4%, onde os professores fisicamente inativos tinham menor consumo de frutas/verduras/legumes (RP:2,47;IC95%:1,28-3,18) e consumo excessivo de carne com gordura (RP:2,15;IC95%1,42-2,97), refrigerante (RP:2,02;IC95%:1,69-2,75) e álcool (RP:1,98;IC95%:1,22-2,86). Conclusão: Os professores apresentaram elevada prevalência de comportamentos de risco para doenças crônicas e a maioria deles foi classificada como insuficientemente ativos. Assim, sugere-se politicas públicas dentro da universidade para prevenção de doenças e melhora da qualidade de vida.

Prevalence of High Risk Behaviors in High School Students of Qom, 2016

Prevalence of High Risk Behaviors in High School Students of Qom, 2016

High-Risk Behaviors in Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study from Tehran, Iran

Background: Policy-makers in the Ministry of Health Care and Medical Education need to have knowledge concerning high-risk behaviors among medical students in order to have positive changes in the educational system of universities of medical sciences. Objectives: To enquire into the prevalence of high risk behaviors among medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on medical students in one of the largest medical universities in Tehran, Iran. A total of 275 medical students participated in the study. They filled out a self-developed questionnaire that covered both demographic characteristics and items on eight main risk domains including safety, violence, depressed mood, physical activity, nutrition, smoking, alcohol consumption, and substance abuse. Results: A total of 275 students (55.3% male, mean age: 23.7 ± 4.3 years) took part in the study. Approximately, 38% of the subjects reported less than 30 minutes of low intensity physical activity during the preceding week. Obesity and overweight were seen in 24.4% of the participants. Around 8% of the students had body mass index (BMI) values below 18 kg/m2. Daily smoking during the past month was reported by 10.5%. A total of 29 students (10.2%) mentioned drinking alcohol during the past month. Sense of depression and hopelessness were reported by 26.6% of students. A total of 5.5% had seriously considered committing suicide, with 3.6% who had actually attempted, with some doing it more than once. Conclusions: In this study, physical inactivity, obesity/overweight, and depressed mood were more frequent. Smoking, alcohol consumption, and drug abuse were more prevalent among male students.

Esquizofrenia y su asociación con enfermedades médicas crónicas

The life expectancy of patients with schizophrenia (SCH) is 11 to 20 years less than the general population. There is an association between SCH and various diseases and chronic conditions, highlighting the cardio-metabolic diseases. This association has been attributed to the use of antipsychotics, however, evidence has also shown intrinsic susceptibility of schizophrenic patients the development of chronic conditions. This review aims to update knowledge about chronic conditions such as cardiometabolic risk and sleep, bone and kidney disorders related to SCH. These patients have a high prevalence of risk behaviors, including smoking and poor diet. They have a worse metabolic profile than the general population and a greater likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. SCH has also been associated with other chronic diseases such as osteoporosis and chronic kidney disease. The high prevalence of these comorbidities in schizophrenic population is not explained solely by the antipsychotic treatment, therefore intrinsic mechanisms associated to SCH are postulated to be associated with these conditions. This new information requires a change in the multidisciplinary medical approach for the study and management of schizophrenic patients.

Predictors of High-Risk Behaviors Among Street Children in Zahedan, Southeastern Iran

Background: Street children are at risk of various high risk behaviors, but few studies have been performed in this field in Iran and worldwide. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of high risk behaviors and its predictors among street children to design interventions and future research agenda regarding these children in Iran, especially in southeast region. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in southeast Iran in 2015. Based on postal map, the city was divided into 5 districts and 216 male street children were selected using snowball sampling. An unstructured questionnaire was provided by integrating 8 previously used questionnaires in different studies with approved validity and reliability and filled through interview and observation. Data was analyzed in Stata.12 software using bivariate and multiple logistic regression by Hosmer-Lemeshow method. Results: The mean age of subjects was 12.5 ± 3.2 years. The lowest mean age of initial use and usually firstly used substance was for cigarette smoking. The prevalence of high risk behaviors was 47.7% (95% CI: 44% - 51%). In final multiple logistic regression model, separation of parents (OR: 3.8 [95% CI: 1.86 - 16.2]), peddling activity type (OR: 2.73 [95% CI: 1.28 - 9.5]) and lower fathers’ educational level (OR: 3.83 [95% CI: 1.86 - 15.4]) significantly increased the prevalence of high-risk behaviors among street children. Conclusions: The prevalence of high-risk behaviors among street children in southeast Iran is almost high. In this regard, street vendors and children who their parents are illiterate or have been separated are more at risk. Generally, principal organizing these children and family education could decline their problems. However, these actions need intersectoral collaboration in society.