Author/Authors :
Zolala Farzaneh نويسنده Regional Knowledge Hub for HIV/ AIDS Surveillance, Biostatistics and Epidemiology Department, Kerman University of Medical Sciences , Mahdavian Mina نويسنده Modeling in Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IR Iran
Abstract :
Background Gender differences play an important role in risky
behaviors such as drug use, of the youth. Despite having a substantial
youth population in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region there are
limited studies on this issue. Objectives The present study explores the
parental and individual factors related to risky behaviors of boys and
girls. Patients and Methods This cross-sectional study used a multistage
cluster sampling method. The five main areas of Kerman were classified
as clusters. Within the clusters, a systematic random sampling was used
to select the street, where five houses were examined for eligible
candidates. A self-administered questionnaire (created by the author)
assessed the 500 candidates (aged 15 - 29 years) on parental styles,
level of education, social capital, modern leisure activities, and risky
behavior in 2013. Data were analyzed using logistic regression with SPSS
19 (statistical package of social sciences) at a significance level of
5%. Results Parental styles affecting the risky behaviors of both girls
and boys were as follow: neglecting parental styles increased the risk
of drug use (OR = 8.63, P = 0.04 and OR = 33.44, P = 0.001 in boys and
girls, respectively). In addition, having a stay-at-home mother reduced
the risk of drug use (OR = 0.09, P = 0.002) in boys, and reduced the
risk of drug use and smoking in girls (OR = 0.34, P = 0.03 and OR =
0.38, P = 0.04, respectively). Also, engaging in modern leisure
activities raised the risk of all risky behaviors for boys and girls
(eg, alcohol drinking: OR = 1.23, P = 0.000). In boys, higher level of
education reduced the risk of drug use (OR = 0.13, P = 0.05), whereas it
increased the risk of sexual behaviors (OR = 2.03, P = 0.03). In girls,
higher level of education was related to an increase in alcohol use (OR
= 2.44, P = 0.05). Conclusions Parental style could play a different
role in conducting risky behaviors among girls and boys. Therefore,
appropriate parental styles should be used in bringing up children based
on their gender.
