Prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, and other drug abuse among school-going male adolescents in Jammu
Journal Title: International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health - Year 2016, Vol 5, Issue 2
Abstract
Background: Considerable morbidity and mortality all through the life occurs as a result of multiple risk behaviors inculcated during adolescence. Adolescence (10–19 years) is an important stage of life for establishing healthy behaviors determining current and future health. So, it becomes necessary to investigate the risk behaviors during these years. Objective: To study and compare the health-risk behavior of rural and urban male adolescents with regard to tobacco, alcohol, and other drug abuse. Materials and Methods : A school-based cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 1 year in RS Pura (rural area) and Jammu city (urban area) of district Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Information on a pretested, semi– open-ended, self-administered 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) questionnaire was obtained from all the students (15–19 years) studying in 9th to 12th class of 12 randomly selected schools. Results: The sample studied (n=848) comprised of nearly equal number of urban and rural adolescents. Not only that, their average ages were also similar. However, a higher proportion of rural adolescents was observed to have ever tried cigarette smoking (38.78% rural vs. 20.78% urban). The majority of adolescents in both urban (71.92%) and rural (80%) areas were not consuming alcohol. More rural adolescents had used cannabis (20% rural vs. 12% urban), with the major - ity of them experimenting this in early adolescence. Conclusion: High-risk behavior observed among adolescents necessitates an urgent need for scaling up of antitobacco and antialcohol measures to ensure healthier adulthood.
Authors and Affiliations
Vijay Kumar, Dinesh Kumar, Tajali Nazir Shora, Deepika Dewan, Mohd. Razaq
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP112167
- DOI 10.5455/ijmsph.2016.2906201553
- Views 96
- Downloads 0
Why fetuses die - A retrospective observational study in a tertiary care center
Background: Late intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) and stillbirth are a cause of concern and not widely reported though it contributes a large chunk in perinatal mortality. It is a traumatic experience for the family and o...
A cross-sectional study on the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in the employees of pharmaceutical industry
Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) are a group of painful disorders of muscles, tendons, and nerves. Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, and tension neck syndrome are exa...
Dermatological manifestations in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients at a tertiary care hospital at P.D.U. Medical College and Hospital, Rajkot, Gujarat
Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection produces a panorama of mucocutaneous manifestations, which may be the presenting feature of the disease. Up to 90% individuals with HIV infection experience oral a...
A prospective comparative study of a trial of labor after cesarean vs. elective repeat cesarean section (ERCS) in view of maternal outcomes
Background: There has been a wide range of success rates reported for those achieving vaginal birth following a planned vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Objective: (1) To find out the incidence of rupture uter...
Study of prevalence of different species of malarial parasites and comparison of hematological parameters in different malarial parasite species
Background: Malaria is one of the major public health problems. Currently, almost 100 countries or territories in the world are considered to be affected by malaria, with Africa and South of Sahara accounting for hal...