Youth risk behavior survey: Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

Purpose: To identify the prevalence of risk behaviors and related risk factors in adolescents in Bangkok, Thailand.

Methods: Youth risk behavior survey questionnaires were collected from 2311 adolescents in 8 schools, 13 communities and 2 Juvenile Home Institutions from January to February 2001. Their mean age was 15.5 +/- 1.8 years, and 59% were female. Risk factors of interest were gender, parental marital status, socioeconomic status, family relationship, parental drug addiction, peer group, loneliness, self-esteem, and school performance. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify significant risk factors associated with each risk behavior.

Results: The risk behaviors leading to traffic accidents were rarely or never having worn a seat belt (30.6%) or helmet while bicycling (66.9%) and while motorcycling (50.1%), riding with drivers who had consumed alcohol (18.8%), and driving after consuming alcohol (12.1%). The studied group carried weapons (8.5%) and has been involved in a violent event (31.5%). Among 13.9% who were assaulted, 6.7% needed hospitalization; rape was reported by 2.4%. Depression was reported by 19.9%, with 12% having suicidal tendencies and 8% attempting suicide. The lifetime use vs. heavy use prevalence of substance abuse, respectively, was: 15.4% and 3.5% for smoking, 37.3% and 1.7% for alcohol, 37.8% and 4.6% for amphetamine use, and 37.9% and 0.1% for other drugs. Among the 10% who have had sexual intercourse, 1% were homosexual, 7.1% have never used a condom, and 2.1% resulted in pregnancy. Being male was a risk factor for every untoward behavior except depression. Other risk factors included poor self-esteem, poor school performance, and early school leaving. Factors relating to the family included a low socioeconomic status, poor relationships, broken families, and parental substance abuse. Socioenvironmental factors included being in a gang and loneliness. Some risk behaviors started at younger than 8 years old. Schools and media were given as the sources of information regarding sex, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and substance abuse.

Conclusions: The prevalence of six major-risk behaviors in adolescents in Bangkok was significantly high. Several risk factors were identified, the knowledge from which may help to form preventive measures in this population.