Citation

Nylander C, Seidel C, Tindberg Y. Acta Paediatr. 2014; 103(2): 194-200.

Affiliation

Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University; Centre for Clinical Research Sörmland, Uppsala University; Department of Paediatrics, Mälarsjukhuset Hospital, Eskilstuna.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/apa.12461

PMID

24117768

Abstract

AIMS: This study aimed to measure protective factors and risk behaviour among adolescents with chronic conditions (CCs) and to evaluate the impact of protective factors on risk-taking. METHODS: A population-based study of 7,262 students aged 15 and 17-years-old was performed in Sörmland, Sweden 2008 (response rate 82%). The questionnaire explored background factors, CCs, risk behaviours and protective factors. CCs were reported by 8%, while 58% had no health problems. RESULTS: Girls with CCs encompassed less individual protective factors while boys with CCs tended to over-report all individual risk behaviours compared to healthy peers. Both boys and girls with CCs were more likely to report few protective factors and co-occurrence of risk behaviours. The adjOR for clustered health risk behaviours was 1.6 (1.0-2.5) in youths with CCs and ≥4 protective factors and 6.3 (3.6-10.9) in youths with CCs and 0-3 protective factors, as compared to healthy peers with ≥4 protective factors. CONCLUSION: Adolescents with CCs reported fewer protective factors and more risk behaviours than their healthy peers. The vulnerability of adolescents with CCs and few protective factors is important to acknowledge. Professionals should provide stronger protection for these adolescents, to prevent risky behaviour. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Language: en