Risk and protective factors associated with youth violence among secondary school students in a nationally representative sample in Puerto Rico

During the past decade, youth violence has received increasing attention as a major public health issue in Puerto Rico as well as in the United States. This study sought to identify risk and protective factors of youth violence in a representative sample of school adolescents in Puerto Rico. Risk and protective factors were grouped into five domains: individual, family, peer group, school and community. From a total of 2,385 participants, 10.7 reported at least one violent behavior and 3.4 reported two or more violent behaviors. In multiple regression analysis the risk factors identified were male gender, junior grade students, having a favorable attitude towards antisocial behavior, use of ecstasy, involvement with antisocial peers and reporting antisocial parents. Participation in family decisions was the only protective factor associated with violence. Findings from this study could have important implications for the development of preventive programs for the adolescent population in Puerto Rico

El ambiente interno y externo del adolescente puertorriqueño en el uso del alcohol, las drogas y la violencia / Internal and external environment of the Puerto Rican adolescent in the use of alcohol, drugs and violence

PURPOSE: Identify risk factors associated to violent behavior among adolescent students. METHODS: A survey was conducted using a two-staged stratified cluster sampling design. It represents all junior and high school students of Puerto Rico. Students from 117 schools were administered an anonymous questionnaire. RESULTS: Alcohol use was reported by 78.7 of students, and 14 reported illegal drug use. About 25 committed one violent act during the previous year, and 22 committed two acts or more. Drug use, alcohol use, not getting along with their parents, being a male, school failure and drug use by siblings were identified as risk factors for violent behavior. Church attendance was identified as a protective factor. DISCUSSION: Primary physicians can play an important role in violence prevention through early identification of family violence

HIV/AIDS risk factors among adolescent students in Puerto Rico, 1994

PURPOSE: Identify several HIV risk behaviors among adolescent students. METHODS: The sample (n = 3,648) was selected using a two-staged stratified cluster sampling design, and weighted to represent all junior high and high school students. RESULTS: About 28.8 of the students reported ever having sexual activity. Less than half of the sexually active (44.5) used condoms during their last sexual activity; 27.6 used them always. Only 54.7 knew correctly > 75 of the HIV knowledge questions. A HIV risk scale was constructed using five risk factors. About 15.9 of the students did not have any risk factor, 36.2 had one, 47.9 had two or more. Males and high school students had significantly more risk factors. Half of the students will abstain from having sex next year because they don't want to get HIV/AIDS. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to implement effective HIV prevention programs for adolescents in order to change their attitudes and behaviors