Health problem multiple behaviors in Iranian adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

The present cross-sectional research was conducted on 245 adolescents selected through a multi-stratified sampling method. The data collection instrument was the risky behavior scale (YRBSS). The collected data were statistically analyzed via SPSS ver19. Such indices as mean, standard deviation, min and max scores were used as descriptive statistics. The present findings showed that 17 subjects (6.9%) had carried cold weapons with them at least once before; 22 subjects (15.17%) had experienced drug consumption (opium and hash) at least; 52 subjects (21.3%) consumed alcohol; 45 (out of 108) (41.66%) had sexual affairs with the opposite sex and 108 (44.1%) experienced smoking. Certain measures can be taken to prevent and reduce the rate of risky behaviors: closer and stronger family ties between parents and teenagers, emphasis on positive examples set by peers, establishment of moral values, provision of sport facilities and public welfare, special attention to the key role of schools.

Keywords

• Risk behaviors
• adolescents
• smoking
• Iran