Study of risk-taking behaviors among adolescents in Alexandria

ABSTRACT

Adolescence is a dynamic period in human development. It is a time of risk-taking as a normal part of the process of growing up. It was found that much of the adverse health consequences experienced by adolescents are to a large extent, the result of risk behaviors. However, 70% of premature deaths among adults are largely due to behaviors initiated during adolescents. In Egypt, a limited number of studies had been conducted in this area. The present study was carried out to identify the prevalence of risk-taking behaviors [RTB] among adolescents and clarify the related factors. A school-based cross sectional survey was selected. The multistage stratified random sampling technique was used to obtain a representative sample of students attending the first grade secondary, general and technical schools in Alexandria. The sample size was estimated to be 1070 students. A self administered anonymous questionnaire was used to collect data. Results showed that RTB such as physical violence, illicit sexual relation, smoking, and substance abuse are prevalent among adolescents. Factors which are significantly associated with these behaviors were gender, family structure, satisfaction of adult adolescent relationship, educational zones, scholastic achievement, peers adoption of RTB, asking for advice, and practicing of unplanned activities. Early preventive intervention programs are recommended to help students to adopt life skills techniques through collaboration with parents, school, and the community so as to help manage daily faced stressors and reduce the adoption of RTB