Evaluation of risky behaviors among adolescents admitted to a research and training hospital

14950

Aim: Adolescence is a period when physical, psychological and social changes occur that could form the essentials of a long and healthy life. The risky behaviors that adolescents attain during this period can continue into adulthood and cause an increase in disease and mortality. Materials and Methods: High school students admitted to Ankara Education and Research Hospital between October 2012 and March 2013 were included in the study. A questionnaire was applied to the students. Results: Nine hundred and eighty six high school students, aged between 15 and 18 were included in the study. 57.7% of the adolescents were male. Twenty-four percent of the adolescents were from vocational high schools, 49.2% were from state high schools, and 26.8% were from Anatolian high schools. It was determined that, 22.1% the adolescents do not have lunch, 27% do not consume fruits, 20.4% do not consume milk, 70.3% spend more than two hours on the computer a day, 8.8% go to internet cafes every day, and 9.7% smoke. The ratio of participants who consumed alcohol at least once in life was 7,8%. It was also determined that, 22% of the adolescents did not use a helmet during motorcycling or cycling, 37.9% never used seatbelts when riding in a car, 0.6% drove car under the influence of alcohol. Among the high school students included in the study, 2.1% were exposed to violence by peers. Conclusion: Programs designed to train adolescents to prevent risky behaviors that may influence their physical wellbeing and health should be prepared and applied in schools more often

127

Adolescent , risky behaviours

Ege Journal Of Medicine

133

Ege Journal Of Medicine