Identification of health risk behaviours among adolescent refugees resettling in Western Australia

2016 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 4-4
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
Adolescent Refugees ◽  
Health Risk Behaviours

Identification of health risk behaviours among adolescent refugees resettling in Western Australia

2017 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 240-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kajal Hirani ◽  
Sarah Cherian ◽  
Raewyn Mutch ◽  
Donald N Payne
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Adolescent Health ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Psychosocial Health ◽  
Health Questionnaire ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
Health Concerns ◽  
Adolescent Refugees ◽  
Health Risk Behaviours

ObjectiveAdolescent refugees encounter traumatic stressors and are at risk of developing psychosocial health problems; limited research data exist internationally. This study aims to identify health risk behaviours among adolescent refugees resettling in Western Australia and assess the feasibility of using a standardised adolescent health questionnaire for this purpose.DesignRefugees aged 12 years and above attending a tertiary Refugee Health Service (RHS) were recruited over 12 months. Sociodemographic data were collected. Psychosocial assessments based on the ‘Home, Education/Eating, Activities, Drugs, Sexuality, Suicide/mental health’ (HEADSS) framework were undertaken utilising interpreters where required. Health concerns identified were managed through the RHS.ResultsA total of 122 adolescents (20 ethnicities) participated; 65% required interpreters. Median age (range) was 14 (12–17) years. Most (80%) had nuclear family separation. Almost half (49%) had a deceased/missing family member. A third (37%) had lived in refugee camps and 20% had experienced closed detention. The median time (range) since arrival in Australia was 11 (2–86) months. Every adolescent had at least one health concern identified during the psychosocial assessment. Frequency of health concerns identified in each domain were 87% for home, 66% for education, 23% for eating, 93% for activities, 5% for drugs, 88% for sexuality and 61% for suicide/mental health. Most adolescents (75%) required intervention, consisting of counselling for health risk behaviours and/or referral to health or community services.ConclusionIt is feasible to use a standardised adolescent health questionnaire to identify health risk behaviours among a cohort of ethnically diverse adolescent refugees. Use of the questionnaire identified a large burden of psychosocial health issues requiring multidisciplinary intervention.

scholarly journals The Associations between Health Risk Behaviours and Suicidal Ideation and Attempts in a Nationally Representative Sample of Young Adolescents

2007 ◽  
Vol 52 (10) ◽  
pp. 666-674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracie O Afifi ◽  
Brian J Cox ◽  
Laurence Y Katz
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Sexual Intercourse ◽  
Suicide Attempts ◽  
Female Adolescents ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
Young Adolescents ◽  
Adolescent Boys ◽  
Health Risk Behaviours ◽  
Nationally Representative

Objective: To examine associations between health risk behaviours and suicidal ideation and attempts in Canadian adolescents aged 12 to 13 years. Young adolescents think about and attempt suicide. However, most existing research on suicide has been conducted on individuals aged 15 years and older. Method: The present study examined a nationally representative Canadian sample of adolescents aged 12 to 13 years ( n = 2090). Health risk behaviours included disruptive (shoplifting, physical fighting, damaging property, fighting with a weapon, carrying a knife, and gambling), sexual (petting below the waist and sexual intercourse), and substance use behaviours (smoking cigarettes, consuming alcohol, marijuana or hash, and glue or solvents). Unadjusted and adjusted (for all significant health risk behaviour and psychiatric symptoms) models were tested. Results: All health risk behaviours were common among male and female adolescents. In unadjusted models, almost all health risk behaviours were associated with suicidal ideation and attempts among adolescent boys. In adjusted models, only damaging property, sexual intercourse, and smoking cigarettes remained statistically associated with suicidal ideation, while smoking cigarettes and using marijuana or hash remained statistically associated with suicide attempts among adolescent boys. All health risk behaviours were statistically associated with suicidal ideation and attempts among female adolescents in unadjusted models. In adjusted models, only carrying a knife remained statistically associated with suicidal ideation, while shoplifting and gambling remained statistically associated with suicide attempts among adolescent girls. Conclusions: Health risk behaviours among young adolescents are associated with suicidal ideation and attempts among young adolescents. Recognizing health risk behaviours among young adolescents may be one means of understanding who among them is at increased risk of suicidality.

scholarly journals Contribution of parental and school personnel smoking to health risk behaviours among Finnish adolescents

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianna Virtanen ◽  
Minna Pietikäinen ◽  
Mika Kivimäki ◽  
Pauliina Luopa ◽  
Jukka Jokela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
School Personnel ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
Health Risk Behaviours

Physical Health Risk Behaviours in Young People with Mental Illness

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
pp. 781-790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea McCloughen ◽  
Kim Foster ◽  
Nikka Marabong ◽  
David Miu ◽  
Judith Fethney
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Young People ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
People With Mental Illness ◽  
Health Risk Behaviours

scholarly journals Chronic disease health risk behaviours amongst people with a mental illness

2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 731-741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate M Bartlem ◽  
Jennifer A Bowman ◽  
Jacqueline M Bailey ◽  
Megan Freund ◽  
Paula M Wye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Illness ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
Health Risk Behaviours

scholarly journals Gender differences in the prevalence and clustering of multiple health risk behaviours in young adults

2016 ◽  
Vol 72 (9) ◽  
pp. 2098-2113 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Kritsotakis ◽  
Maria Psarrou ◽  
Maria Vassilaki ◽  
Zacharenia Androulaki ◽  
Anastas E. Philalithis
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
Health Risk Behaviours ◽  
Multiple Health

scholarly journals The importance of relationships in adolescent risk behaviour prevention

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
C Cooper ◽  
M Lhussier
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
Focal Point ◽  
Contextual Factors ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Risk Behaviours ◽  
Adolescent Risk ◽  
Health Risk Behaviours ◽  
Multiple Health

Abstract Health risk behaviours are a key contributing factor to adolescent morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, evidence shows that health behaviours begun in adolescence can impact on wellbeing across the lifespan. Current evidence suggests it is advantageous to target multiple health risk behaviours simultaneously, however efficacy testing remains the key focal point for research, with few studies exploring common underlying causal and contextual factors which may contribute to the success or failure of a programme. Methods This review used a customised realist approach, to explore how, why, for whom, and in what circumstances programmes are most successful in preventing multiple health risk behaviours in adolescents. The review synthesised evidence from published literature, along with qualitative data from stakeholders collected through focus groups with young people (n = 28) and school nurses (n = 22), and interviews with adolescent health and wellbeing practitioners (n = 8). Findings: Across all the realist programme theories developed, the role of relationships was the most commonly occurring theme. This theme goes beyond the expected impact of the relationship between programme deliverers and recipients, and familial and peer attachments, also taking in to consideration the relationships between programme and school leaders and staff, support networks and collaborative relationships between staff, and wider social connectedness within the community. These in turn were impacted upon by wider contextual factors, such as family, community, culture, socioeconomic status, intersectionality, and health inequalities. Conclusions These findings provide important insight in to understanding how, why, for whom, and in what circumstances multiple risk behaviour prevention programmes succeed or fail. Further to this they highlight key areas for consideration in the development of future adolescent public health interventions. Key messages Relationships built on trust and genuine care can improve adolescent risk behaviour prevention outcomes. Broader sociocultural context provide key explanations for variations in programme outcomes.

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