Health compromising behaviours and perception of student -teacher interpersonal relationship among secondary school students in Benghazi City, Libya

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

Weight changes and activity barriers among obese sedentary women attending nutrition clinic at Benghazi, Libya: a randomized activity counseling trial

To assess the effectiveness of physical activity counseling by a dietitian for obese sedentary women attending nutrition clinic for weight management over 12 weeks and barriers for increasing physical activity level. Randomized controlled trial with a 3-month follow-up from October 2006 to January 2007. El Majory outpatient nutrition clinic as one of the public nutrition clinics at Benghazi city, Libya. Eighty seven obese healthy sedentary women . Eligible participants were randomly assigned to brief verbal advice; [n= 38] and counseling group [intervention] [n = 49] receiving physical activity counseling [the five as model]. Assessment visits were scheduled for both groups at baseline and weeks 2, 4, 8, 12. The main outcome measures were change in body weight and physical activity level. Participants [n = 87] were randomized to counseling [n = 49] and verbal advice group [n-38]. Attrition was 25.3% at week 4 visit increased to 31% at both weeks 8 and 12. Significant change-by-time interaction for percentage reduction in initial weight was found within participants of both groups [p <0.001]. No significant weight change differences were observed between the two groups at week 4 and 8 visits [p - 0.09] however, results of last observation -carried forward and completers analysis found that counseling group participants lost significantly more weight at week 12 than those of verbal advice group [p = 0.04]. Lack of time due to family responsibilities and child care was the main participants barrier to increasing their physical activity level [32.2%] followed by lack of energy to exercise [28.7%]. The reported barriers were not significantly changed as a result of counseling intervention. Physical activity levels of the counseling intervention group were significantly increased from initial sedentary to moderate and high active compared to the brief verbal advice group [p = 0.01]. Physical activity counseling [the five as model] conducted by dietitian appoars to positively influence levels of physical activity and weight loss changes in healthy obese sedentary women attending nutrition clinics. There is obvious need for an effective activity counseling to be incorporated in the treatment plan for obese clients