Adolescent Homosexual Interest and Increased Suicide Risk

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people in the 15 to 19 year age group. Although qualitative research indicates that gay and lesbian adolescents are atparticularly high risk for suicide, little attention has been given to the impact homosexual interest has on suicide risk. The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the impact homosexual interest has on suicide risk, while controlling for the mediating affects of isolation and depressed mood. The data used in the analysis was obtained from the University of Minnesota Adolescent Health Survey, which included adolescents between 12 years of age to 20 years of age. Two homosexual interest groups (consistent homosexual interest and inconsistent homosexual interest) were used for comparison with heterosexual adolescents. The findings indicate that adolescents with consistent homosexual interest have over three and a half times the odds of being at risk for suicide that heterosexual adolescents have. Adolescents with inconsistent homosexual interest have odds of higher suicide risk that are significantly, though only slightly, more than heterosexual adolescents. After controlling for isolation and depressed mood, adolescents with consistent homosexual interest still have over three times the odds of suicide risk when compared with heterosexual adolescents. The difference between adolescents with inconsistent homosexual interest and heterosexual adolescents becomes non-significant.

92 Substance Use of Adolescents across Multiple Categories of Health Conditions and/or Disabilities: A Population-Based Study

Background Substance use among adolescents with health conditions and disabilities is an important issue in public health and pediatrics that warrants further study. Existing research typically investigates one type of health condition and/or disability, which limits understanding of how substance use is similar or different across various sub-groups. By including multiple sub-groups and adolescents who report no conditions, the results of our research could be used to inform targeted interventions and supports. Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate substance use among adolescents across multiple categories of health conditions and/or disabilities using data from the 2013 British Columbia Adolescent Health Survey (BCAHS) (see Table 1). The research objectives were: 1) to determine the number of (categories of) substances used by survey respondents; 2) to investigate the occurrence (frequency) of respondents’ substance use; 3) to explore the consequences of their substance use; and 4) to ascertain the reasons for their substance use. Design/Methods This was a secondary analysis of data from the 2013 British Columbia Adolescent Health Survey, which is quinquennially administered by the McCreary Centre Society. The BCAHS is a large-scale survey designed to capture information about adolescents’ physical and emotional health, and about factors that can influence health during adolescence and in later life. The study population consisted of a total provincial weighted N = 251,641 of adolescents from 56 (of 59) school districts who attended Grade 7 to Grade 12 in the 2012/2013 school year. We performed a series of descriptive statistical analyses on the person-level database, including frequencies and cross-tabulations. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Complex Samples module of IBM SPSS Statistics, Version 24 (IBM Corp, 2016), which facilitates the computation of statistics and standard errors from complex sample designs while adjusting for the complex cluster-stratified sampling method and weighted data by integrating sample designs into survey analysis. Results The results indicated great diversity, both within and between categories of health conditions and/or disabilities. In particular, we found that youth in three categories: those with mental or emotional needs, those with behavioural needs, and those with two or more conditions were i) using the greatest number of (categories of) substances, ii) using substances most frequently, and iii) were experiencing the most severe consequences as a result of substance use. Conclusion Clearly there is a need for greater access to mental health supports, including assessment and treatment, for adolescents. Further, given that youth with two or more conditions were also more likely to engage in substance use, there is a need for complex care programs to support this sub-group. Lastly, as adolescents are approaching the transition from pediatrics to adult healthcare services, substance use programming that bridges these developmental stages is needed.

Prevalence of Nonfatal Serious Injury Due to Motor Vehicle Accidents Among Malaysian School-Going Adolescents: Findings From the Adolescent Health Survey 2017

Serious injury due to motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) significantly contributes to the adolescents’ health status. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of nonfatal injury due to MVAs and its associated factors among Malaysian school-going adolescents. Nationally representative samples were selected via 2-stage stratified cluster sampling. Data was collected using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the associations between the variables. A total of 1088 out of 27 497 adolescents reported that they had sustained serious injury due to MVAs with a prevalence of 4.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.7-4.5). Serious injury due to MVAs among adolescents was positively associated with being current cigarette smokers (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.5; 95% CI = 2.2-2.9), followed by Malay ethnicity (aOR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.9-3.0), current drug users (aOR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.9-3.0), boys (aOR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.8-2.4), Indian ethnicity (aOR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.2-2.5), and those who were in upper secondary school (aOR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.2-1.5). Targeted intervention and curbing substance use among boys may reduce the morbidities from MVAs and its resulting complications.

Methodology and Representativeness of the Adolescent Health Survey 2017 in Malaysia

Health risk behaviors and mental health problems are associated with morbidity and premature mortality among adolescents. Understanding the magnitude of the problem may improve adolescent health status. The Adolescent Health Survey was conducted to collect data on health risk behaviors among Malaysian school-going adolescents using self-administered questionnaires. A 2-stage stratified cluster sampling design was used and samplings weights were calculated to ensure representativeness to the general population. A total of 27 497 out of 30 823 school-going adolescents completed the questionnaires, yielded an 89.2% overall response rate. The methodology was robust to ensure valid estimation on the prevalence of health problems among Malaysian school-going adolescents.

Temporal evolution of and factors associated with asthma and wheezing in schoolchildren in Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective: To estimate the evolution of the prevalence of asthma and wheezing among schoolchildren in Brazil from 2012 to 2015, as well as to identify factors associated with both conditions. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study using data from the Brazilian National School-Based Adolescent Health Survey for 2012 and 2015. To characterize the evolution of the prevalence of asthma and wheezing, we used linear regression with weighted-least-squares estimation and presented the annual percent change (APC). Results: During the study period, there was a reduction in the prevalence of wheezing, from 23.2% in 2012 to 22.4% in 2015 (APC, −0.27). The prevalence of asthma increased from 12.4% in 2012 to 16.0% in 2015 (APC, 1.20). The increase in the prevalence of asthma was greatest in the southern region of the country (APC, 2.17). Having any history of smoking and having consumed alcohol in the last 30 days were factors that influenced the prevalence of wheezing and the prevalence of a self-reported diagnosis of asthma during the two years evaluated. Conclusions: There has been an increase in the prevalence of asthma in recent years in Brazil. Our data underscore the importance of improving health strategies and policies aimed at the control of asthma.

Tobacco use among adolescents in Riyadh Saudi Arabia

Background: Initiation of smoking behavior during adolescence is associated with negative health outcomes. Understanding initiation of smoking behavior in adolescents in relation to other behavioral, health, and environmental factors is essential for effective behavioral modification. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe tobacco use behaviors among adolescents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and related demographic and social factors. Subjects: A total of 1430 students aged 14–19 from high schools across the city of Riyadh participated in the study. Methods: A comprehensive adolescent health survey was administered to students in high school classrooms across Riyadh. Data were analyzed primarily via contingency tables with χ2-tests. Results: One in five students reported having ever smoked cigarettes, with a significantly higher proportion of boys than girls reporting tobacco use. Students who smoked had significantly lower school connectedness compared with those who never smoked. Tobacco use by family members was common, and students with at least one family member who smoked were significantly more likely to use tobacco themselves. Conclusion: Improving school connectedness among students by fostering supportive and safe school environments could be a potential strategy for reducing adolescent smoking. Reducing smoking in the general population and educating families about being better role models for youth are also critical.

To What Extent can Adolescent Suicide Attempts be Attributed to Violence Exposure? A Population-Based Study from Western Canada

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among adolescents in Canada and globally. The purpose of our study was to calculate what proportion of adolescent suicide attempts could be prevented in the absence of verbal, physical, and sexual violence. Using the province-wide 2008 British Columbia Adolescent Health Survey (N = 29,315) we calculated population-attributable fractions for each type of violence, as well as exposure to any violence, separately by gender, among adolescents age 12–19. We found violence victimization is implicated in the majority of suicide attempts. Focusing on violence prevention may be an important strategy for reducing suicide among young people.