Psychological and behavioural factors associated with sexual risk behaviour among Slovak students.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about the prevalence of sexual risk behaviour (SRB) in adolescence is needed to prevent unwanted health consequences. Studies on SRB among adolescents in Central Europe are rare and mostly rely on a single indicator for SRB. This study aims to assess the association of behavioural and psychological factors with three types of SRB in adolescents in Central Europe. METHODS: We obtained data on behavioural factors (having been drunk during previous month, smoking during previous week, early sexual initiation), psychological factors (self-esteem, well-being, extroversion, neuroticism, religiousness), and SRB (intercourse under risky conditions, multiple sexual partners, and inconsistent condom use) in 832 Slovak university students (response 94.3%). RESULTS: Among those with sexual experience (62%), inconsistent condom use was the most prevalent risk behaviour (81% in females, 72% in males). With the exception of having been drunk in males, no factor was associated with inconsistent condom use. Regarding the other types of SRB, early sexual initiation was most strongly associated. In addition, other, mostly behavioural, factors were associated, in particular having been drunk. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that behavioural factors are more closely related to SRB than psychological factors. Associations differ by type of SRB and gender but offer few clues to target risk groups for inconsistent condom use. Results show a high need for health-promotion programmes in early adolescence that target SRB in conjunction with other health risk behaviours such as alcohol abuse.

Socio-economic differences in health among Slovak adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To explore socio-economic health differences among Slovak adolescents. METHODS: Socio-economic differences in health (psychological health: GHQ-12, vitality and mental health scale of RAND, experienced health complaints, chronic illness, use of medicines, self-reported health, self-perceived vulnerability to illness) were explored among Slovak adolescents (n = 2,616, 1,370 boys, 1,246 girls; mean age 15 years). RESULTS: Adolescents from lower socio-economic groups (parents' occupation, parents' education, type of school) experienced more health complaints; less frequently experienced their health as excellent or very good, more frequently reported to fall ill easier and less frequently use non-prescribed drugs in comparison with adolescents from higher socio-economic groups. Moreover, adolescents from lower occupational group of parents and lower type of school score significantly lower in mental health and in vitality and used prescribed drugs more frequently. We did not confirm any socio-economic differences in psychological health or prevalence of chronic illness. Our findings confirmed poorer health of girls in comparison to boys. There are no gender differences with regard to socio-economic differences in health. CONCLUSION: There are significant socio-economic health differences among Slovak adolescents.