Citation

Cogollo Z, Gómez-Bustamante EM. Rev. Esc. Enferm. USP 2013; 47(4): 830-835.

Affiliation

Research Group on Community Health, Nursing School, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia, zcogollom@unicartagena.edu.co.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Universidade de Sao Paulo)

DOI

10.1590/S0080-623420130000400009

PMID

24310679

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and variables associated with the pattern of risky health behavior (PRHB) among adolescent students in Cartagena, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was designed to investigate PRHB in a random cluster sample of students from middle and high schools. The associations were adjusted by logistic regression. A total of 2,625 students participated in this research, with ages from 10 to 20 years, mean=13.8 years (SD=2.0), and 54.3% were women. A total of 332 students reported PRHB (12.7%, 95%CI 11.4-14.0). Age over 15 years (OR=2.19, 95%CI 1.72-2.79), not being heterosexual (OR=1.98, 95%CI 1.36-2.87), poor/mediocre academic performance (OR=1.87, 95%CI 1.47-2.38), family dysfunction (OR=1.78, 95%CI 1.40-2.28) and male gender (OR=1.58, 95%CI 1.24-2.01) were associated with PRHB. One in every eight students presented a PRHB. It is important to pay greater attention to students who are over 15 years of age, male, not heterosexual, with a poor/mediocre academic performance and a dysfunctional family.

Language: en