HEALTH RISK BEHAVIOURS IN SCHOOL YOUTH OF RAWALPINDI

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the health risk behaviours of school youth of class tenth.
Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted in Rawalpindi district between the months of August
2014 to February 2015.
Material and Methods: It is descriptive, cross sectional survey conducted in Tehsil Rawalpindi. A modified
structured questionnaire- Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) 2014 was used. Out of 10
modules, six modules were used including dietary behaviors, hygiene, unintentional injury and violence,
mental health, tobacco use and physical activity. Registered school lists with EDO, consisting of Public FG
and private schools were used as sampling frames. In stage 1, schools were selected randomly by lottery
method and in second stage Class 10th was selected.
Results: The analyses of results showed poor health risk behaviours in our school youth. In our study there
was a gender variation in male and females health risk behaviors, female had more mental health issues like
feeling of loneliness, sleeplessness and suicidal tendencies / attempts. Boys were smoking more and were
more involved in physical fights and injuries.
Conclusion: Health risk behaviors in Pakistan school youth needs to be corrected. We need to inculcate the
culture, attitude and healthy behaviors in them. Health behaviours must be incorporated in our society
especially in the educational institutions.