RESUMO
Background Although the relationship between sexual risk behaviors and substance use has been established, It remains to be studied if different types of substances have differences in the odds of sexual risk behaviors. Therefore, we aimed to identify the prevalence of sexual risk behaviors in high school students of the United States (US) and study the difference in the odds of sexual risk behaviors for various substances. Methods We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study using Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) data of 2019 that nationally represents US high school students in grades 9-12. We identified individuals with sexual risk behaviors as participants with four or more lifetime sexual partners and who did not use a condom during the last intercourse. Results Out of 11,191 participants, 463 (3.9%) engaged in sexual risk behaviors. The prevalence of substance use, including anabolic steroids (11.5 vs. 1.1%), cocaine (27.2 vs. 2.0%), marijuana (87.1 vs. 34.7%), alcohol (92.4 vs. 54.3%), e-cigarette (90.3 vs. 48.0%), and traditional cigarette (62.2 vs. 21.6%) was higher in participants with sexual risk behaviors compared to participants with no sexual risk behaviors (p<0.0001 for all substances). In regression analysis, anabolic steroid use was associated with the highest odds of sexual risk behaviors (adjusted odds ratio (aOR):4.87, 95%CI: 2.48-9.57; p<0.0001) followed by cocaine (aOR:3.80, 1.80-8.00; p=0.001), marijuana (aOR:3.36, 1.64-6.89; p<0.0001), alcohol (aOR:2.41, 1.05-5.55; p=0.039), electronic vapor products (2.05, 1.004-4.19; p=0.049), and traditional cigarette use (aOR:1.58, 1.10-2.28; p=0.016). We did not find a statistically significant increase in the odds of sexual risk behaviors for the rest of the substances. Conclusion Although the prevalence of sexual risk behaviors is low, the prevalence of substance use is significantly higher in participants with sexual risk behaviors. Among the different types of substances, anabolic steroid use has the highest odds of sexual risk behaviors. Therefore, clinicians should remain vigilant for anabolic steroid use when screening adolescents for substance use. Further large-scale randomized studies are needed to study the effects of anabolic steroids on sexual risk behaviors.
RESUMO
UNLABELLED: This study examines the association between suicide and bullying among teenagers and adolescents in school besides exploring strategies to prevent acts of bullying. "Bullying" is a risk factor that is linked to suicidal ideation and attempts among school-age children and teenagers. Since youth suicide is an urgent and serious problem, we conducted a systematic review of 28 previous studies conducted in children and adolescents which examined the connection between bullying experiences and suicide. DATA COLLECTION: A literature search was carried out using 4 databases, without date description including: PubMed, PsychInfo, Medline and Google Scholar. The search terms contained: bullying, suicide and bullying, suicide in teens, school bullying, and peer victimization. An initial search generated about 97 articles; however, only 28 articles were appropriate for inclusion in the current review. Inclusion criteria was (1) Cross-sectional studies published from 1997-2013. (2) Study based on school bullying and suicidal risk in adolescents and teens 18 years or less (3) Studies had enough information to calculate effect sizes that did include a control group. (4) Studies based on gender discrimination. Papers that focused on specific populations, that did not include quantitative data, that did not use a control group of non-bullied subjects and studies based on cyber bullying, studies with longitudinal design were excluded. The risk of suicide attempts was higher in girls, who were involved in bullying, either as the victim or perpetrator, than in boys. Depression, feelings of hopelessness and loneliness can develop in the child after being bullied for long periods of time; these feelings are indirectly related to suicidal ideation and attempts. Involvement in bullying increases the likelihood of suicidal ideation and attempts in children and teenagers.
