RESUMO
Adolescents are vulnerable to the risks of smoking, drug addiction, alcohol and violence. This is also a time of high risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS. This study was conducted firstly to investigate some of the health compromising behaviours present among secondary school students, their correlates and associations Secondly, to assess the students views and teachers perceptions about student-teacher interpersonal relationship and its correlation with the students' health compromising behaviours. A descriptive, cross-sectional study using a multistage, stratified, school-based, cluster sampling design conducted in Benghazi city, Libya where 985 secondary school students [440 girls and 545 boys] and 111 teachers in 21 secondary schools were included. Two predesigned tested self administered questionarriars were used for data collection, the first for students including open ended questions investigating different heath compromising risky behaviours. The second for both teachers and students to assess the perception and views of students and teachers about student -teacher interpersonal relationship. The results of this study demonstrate the high and increasing levels of risk behaviors among the students. Tobacco use was reported by [14.8%] of students [12.7%] current cigarette and [5.3%] water pipe smokers, Alcohol [7.0%] and drug use [9.4%], Sexual behaviour [16.6%], Unhealthy nutrition [64.4%], Unsafe driving [58.6%] and Violence related behaviour practiced by [42.7%]. Data also confirm the adolescents' tendency towards multiple risks where it was revealed that 63.5% of all studied students participate in two or more of the six investigated health compromising behaviors. By multiple regression analysis, male gender was the main influencing factor and additional work beside study found to be protective against involvement in risky practices. High mother education was found to be positively correlated with most of the risky behaviours among students. Significant correlation was found between the different investigated risky behaviours where violence related behaviour shows a highly significant positive correlation with all mentioned health risk behaviours. High discrepancies were found between the students' and teachers' perceptions related to their interpersonal relationship. Perceived poor relationship and communication with school teachers was found as one of the main determinants of risk taking behaviour among students. Strengthening the student - teacher interpersonal relationship may be protective against students' health compromising behaviours. The study findings provide valuable information to policy-makers, educators, health providers and community workers that can be used to improve the health and well-being of adolescents in Libya. Much more work must be done, through a multi-sectorial approach to promote a healthy population of adolescents and the young