Prevalence Of High-risk Behaviors Research Articles

A descriptive study of youth risk behavior in urban and rural secondary school students in El Salvador

BackgroundAdolescence is an important stage of life for establishing healthy behaviors, attitudes, and lifestyles that contribute to current and future health. Health risk behavior is one indicator of health of young people that may serve both as a measure of health over time as well as a target for health policies and programs. This study examined the prevalence and distribution of youth health risk behaviors from five risk behavior domains–aggression, victimization, depression and suicidal ideation, substance use, and sexual behaviors–among public secondary school students in central El Salvador.MethodsWe employed a multi-stage sampling design in which school districts, schools, and classrooms were randomly selected. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire based on the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Sixteen schools and 982 students aged 12–20 years participated in the study.ResultsHealth risk behaviors with highest prevalence rates included: engagement in physical fight (32.1%); threatened/injured with a weapon (19.9%); feelings of sadness/hopelessness (32.2%); current cigarette use (13.6%); and no condom use at last sexual intercourse (69.1%). Urban and male students reported statistically significant higher prevalence of most youth risk behaviors; female students reported statistically significant higher prevalence of feelings of sadness/hopelessness (35.6%), suicidal ideation (17.9%) and, among the sexually experienced, forced sexual intercourse (20.6%).ConclusionA high percentage of Salvadoran adolescents in this sample engaged in health risk behaviors, warranting enhanced adolescent health promotion strategies. Future health promotion efforts should target: the young age of sexual intercourse as well as low condom use among students, the higher prevalence of risk behaviors among urban students, and the important gender differences in risk behaviors, including the higher prevalence of reported feelings of sadness, suicidal ideation and forced sexual intercourse among females and higher sexual intercourse and substance use among males. Relevance of findings within the Salvadoran and the cross-national context and implications for health promotion efforts are discussed.

HIV/AIDS Among Female Prison Inmates

Research points to the importance of adequate health care in women’s prisons. This is especially important as female inmates are faced with a host of unique and distinct needs, in particular, an increased risk of HIV/AIDS infection. This risk presents a significant public health concern as the majority of female offenders receive limited screening, treatment, education, and counseling related to HIV/AIDS infection and transmission while in prison. Additionally, when these women return to their communities, they are generally ill-equipped to prevent the transmission of their disease. Further, their heath concerns become the responsibility of an already overburdened public health system. Effective medical care in prison alleviates inmates’ growing medical needs and protects the public from the transmission of HIV/AIDS. This study identifies the current state of HIV/AIDS among female inmates in correctional institutions nation wide. We argue that mandatory AIDS screening for all inmates and gender-specific educational programming will lower the rate of transmission and the prevalence of high-risk behaviors, thus reducing pre- and post-release health threats. Future research directions and policy implications are discussed.

Assessment of HIV-related sexual risk behaviors among the general female population in Hong Kong.

This study examined sexual practices among the female population in Hong Kong. A total of 2,076 women between 18 and 50 years were interviewed by using a computerized telephone survey method. Sexually active women (59.3%) were classified into the "Husband Only Group" (HOG, n = 1,005), the "Steady Boyfriend Only Group" (SBG, n = 192), and the "Higher Risk Group" (HRG, n = 35). Over 60% of the HRG members did not perceive condom use as an efficacious means for HIV/AIDS prevention. Within the HOG and SBG, 30.0% and 41.1% reported that they always used condoms (25.7% in the HRG). Condom use was often suggested by both men and women of the SBG, but was often initiated by the women only in the HRG. "Trust" and "lack of necessity" were common reasons for not using condoms. About 85% of the respondents would ask their partners to use condoms if they suspected their partners having engaged in commercial sex; however, only 75% would have the final control. The HRG members seemed to be less able to insist on using condoms (55.6%, OR = 0.41, p < .05) and were more likely than the HOG to perceive some chance of contracting HIV (OR = 10.88, p < .01). The prevalence of high risk behaviors among women in Hong Kong was not high; however, those at risk were often inconsistent condom users and they had weak control over condom use. Women in Hong Kong had low awareness of HIV-related risk.

Incidence of HIV among injection drug users entering drug treatment programs in four US cities.

We estimated seroincidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and prevalence of risk behaviors among injection drug users (IDUs) who accepted voluntary HIV testing on entry to drug treatment. Record-based incidence studies were conducted in 12 drug treatment programs in New York City (n = 890); Newark, New Jersey (n = 521); Seattle, Washington (n = 1,256); and Los Angeles, California (n = 733). Records of confidential HIV tests were abstracted for information on demographics, drug use, and HIV test results. More detailed data on risk behaviors were obtained by a standardized questionnaire. Although overall incidence rates were relatively low in this population (<1/100 person-years), there was a high prevalence of risk behaviors. Needle sharing was reported by more than one-third of the participants in each of the cities. HIV seroincidence rates were up to three-fold higher among younger ID Us. We found that HIV continued to be transmitted among ID Us who had received both drug treatment and HIV counseling and testing. HIV/AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) prevention education should continue to be an important component of drug treatment.

Substance use and other health risk behaviors in collegiate athletes.

To (a) determine the prevalence of alcohol and other drug use, and health risk behaviors among a general university population; and (b) compare health risk-taking behaviors between genders, and varsity athletes and their non-athlete peers. Descriptive survey of multiple health risk behaviors, including physical, mental health, alcohol and other drug, and sexual risk taking. Two large midwestern universities. A convenience sample of 86% of 1,210 eligible students (271 athletes and 775 nonathlete peers) completed a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire during team meetings or class sessions. None. Differences between gender and athlete status were assessed using Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel statistics for the following variables, determined by questionnaire responses: physical risk, mental health, alcohol and other drug use, and sexual behaviors. Common risk behaviors in the entire collegiate sample included riding in a car with a driver who was under the influence of alcohol, driving and swimming under the influence of alcohol, binge drinking, and low rate of condom use for all types of sexual intercourse. Risk-taking behaviors varied by gender, with men showing more risk behaviors than women, except for suicide and sexual behaviors. Male athletes had a higher prevalence of risk behaviors than their male nonathlete counterparts, in contrast to female athletes, who had fewer risk behaviors than their female nonathlete counterparts. In contrast to previous studies, results of the present study show, when results are stratified by gender, that not all athletes engage more frequently than nonathletes in high risk behaviors. Results suggest that educational and early intervention strategies to decrease risk may need to be tailored according to gender and athletic status.

The role of school health instruction in preventing interpersonal violence

The social and human costs of youth violence are staggering. Reducing violence among youth will require a multifaced approach, including educational strategies aimed at reducing the prevalence of high risk behaviors associated with youth violence. This article examines the role of school health instruction in preventing interpersonal violence. Specifically, this article provides an overview of comprehensive school health education; suggests instructional content for violence prevention education; explores options for administering violence prevention education; discusses theoretical frameworks supporting education strategies; provides criteria for selecting violence prevention curricula and mateirals; examines possible limitations and barriers to violence prevention education; and provides recommendations for implementing programs. Though classroom health instruction should not be expected to solve problems associated with youth violence, prevention education needs to be delivered within the context of comprehensive school health education.

Epidemiologic factors correlated with multiple sexual partners among women receiving prenatal care.

A cross-sectional survey methodology was used to respond to the need of a local health department to identify correlates of high-risk behaviors related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission among pregnant women attending prenatal care clinics. This study of 488 maternity patients was conducted at two public health clients in Tampa, Florida, in 1991. The prevalence of high-risk behaviors was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Out of 428 respondents, 25% reported having had intercourse with two or more male partners in the past year. Following multiple logistic regression analysis, four variables remained consistently and significantly associated (P < 0.05) with having two or more sexual partners: (1) annual household income of less than $10,000/y (prevalence odds ratio (POR) = 4.5; 95% confidence limits (CL): 1.5, 13.1); (2) history of prostitution (POR = 8.1; 95% CL: 1.5, 42.1); (3) history of rape or forcible intercourse (POR = 2.2; 95% CL: 1.0, 4.6); and (4) an expressed desire for confidentiality among women seeking further information about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention (POR = 2.1; 95% CL: 1.1, 4.0). Assessment of these factors may lead to better direction of HIV education programs, as well as identification and counseling of specific individuals at high risk for engaging in behaviors that can lead to HIV infection. Short, self-administered questionnaires provide confidential, rapid, and inexpensive means of generating baseline data for further interventions.

HIV knowledge and behaviors of incarcerated youth: A comparison of high and low risk locales

Incarcerated adolescents comprise a group at high risk of HIV infection because they engage in substantially more HIV-related sexual and drug behaviors than the general adolescent population. There is, however, little information on similarities and differences between adolescents incarcerated in high AIDS-prevalence geographic areas with those from low AIDS-prevalence areas. This study compared adolescents incarcerated in juvenile detention facilities in San Francisco (N = 113) and Alabama (N = 393) with respect to HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and risk behaviors. While findings indicated that the two groups' overall knowledge levels were relatively similar, adolescents in San Francisco reported a higher prevalence of risk behaviors. These findings are discussed in terms of the development and implementation of HIV prevention programs specifically targeted toward incarcerated youths and stressing adoption of realistic risk-reduction strategies.