This study reports the findings from the 1999 survey of over 2,000 adolescents residing in Upstate New York. Teens in six school districts were surveyed using the Teen Assessment Project Questionnaire that was administered also in 1996. The questionnaires include questions on: demographics; concerns; tobacco, drug and alcohol use; sexual activity; violence; and social activities. This presentation will focus on the comparisons of the 1999 data with the 1996 data. In the 1996 survey, the sample consisted of equal numbers of females and males. The age range was from 11 to 18. Descriptive analyses of the data indicate that respondents have used tobacco products (48%), alcohol (59%), and illegal drugs (30%). Thirty-eight percent has had sexual intercourse; 18% has carried a knife, club or other weapon to school. Nineteen percent of the teens report having been sexually harassed by another teen, and 9 % by an adult. This longitudinal analysis contributes to a better understanding of teen attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors so that programs are designed and implemented to reduce health risk behaviors. This assessment is a continuation of a larger project that is being implemented in Upstate New York through a cooperative effort between the Decker School of Nursing and local school districts.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe the attitudes, beliefs, and health risk behaviors of teens living in upstate New York. 2. Identify differences in health risk behaviors between the 1996 cohort and the 1999 cohort. 3. Identify preventative health care strategies to reduce health risk behaviors among teens
Keywords: Adolescents, Risky Behaviors
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.