Youth risk behavior survey: Bangkok, Thailand.

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.