Health related behaviors among adolescents and youth in Assiut governorate, Upper Egypt

ABSTRACT

A cross-sectional community-based study in rural and urban areas was designed to study the cultural norms and health related behavior about reproduction, female circumcision, STDs, smoking and leisure time use. The data were collected by a personal interview of 1660 adolescents and youth aged 15-24 years in two rural [1151] and two urban [509] areas. Three children were the ideal number of wanted children in 54.2% and more than half considered 35-40 years the ideal age for terminating child bearing. About one-fourth of married females got pregnant three times or more and this was depending on the number of living children and duration of marriage by using logistic regression analysis. Female circumcision was almost universal [98.5%] and decreased markedly by mother's education [82.5%] and 75.9% intended to circumcise their daughters. About-half of adolescents and youth [48.4%] knew about STDs. Of the aware group, 94.9% knew AIDS and 59.2% recommended sticking to religious teaching to protect themselves against STD/AIDS. 30% of males were smokers and the habit was much higher among working groups as free business, skilled workers and farmers. Leisure time use was underutilized, sports were practiced by 26.6%, reading as a hobby by 41.6% and only 12.2% were volunteers for public activities. Literacy and unemployment are major problems with gender disparities