Citation

Pool AC, Patterson F, Luna IY, Hohl BC, Bauer KW. J. Sch. Health 2017; 87(4): 244-252.

Affiliation

Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, American School Health Association, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/josh.12491

PMID

28260239

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Youth violence reduction is a public health priority, yet few studies have examined secular trends in violence among urban youth, who may be particularly vulnerable to numerous forms of violence. This study examines 10-year secular trends in the prevalence of violence-related behaviors among Philadelphia high school students.

METHODS: Repeated cross-sectional data were analyzed from 5 waves of the Philadelphia Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) from 2003 to 2013. Sex-specific multivariate regression models were used to examine secular trends in multiple types of violence, accounting for age, race/ethnicity, and sampling strategy.

RESULTS: In 2013, the most prevalent violent behavior was physical fighting among boys (38.4%) and girls (32.7%). Among girls, the prevalence of sexual assault and suicide attempts declined between 2003 and 2013 (β = -0.13, p =.04 and β = -0.14, p =.007, respectively). Among boys, significant declines in carrying a weapon (β = -0.31, p <.001), carrying a gun (β = -0.16, p =.01), and physical fighting (β = -0.35, p =.001) were observed.

CONCLUSIONS: Whereas the prevalence of some forms of violence stabilized or declined among Philadelphia youth during 2003-2013 time span, involvement in violence-related behaviors remains common among this population. Continued surveillance and evidence-based violence reduction strategies are needed to address violence among urban youth.

© 2017, American School Health Association.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent health; firearms; youth risk behaviors; youth violence