Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #114787

Margaret L. Cox, BA¹, Elizabeth M. Gaier Larkin, BA², Joshua J. Terchek, BA², and Scott, H. Frank, MD, MPH³. (1) Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics-Masters of Public Health Program, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106-4945, 330-322-4973, margaret.cox@case.edu, (2) Department of Family Medicine, Division of Adolescent Health, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave., School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, (3) Division of Public Health, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Ave., School of Medicine, WG-57, Cleveland, OH 44106

Purpose: To examine whether high school students who consistently practice pro-health personal safety behaviors demonstrate fewer health risk behaviors. Methods: The Youth Risk Behavior Survey was administered to 8971 students in a Mid-Western county. Two items from the survey assessing bicycle helmet and seatbelt use were examined in relation to other health risk behaviors. Chi-square analysis examined students reporting always wearing seatbelts and bike helmets including students always wearing seatbelts but not riding a bike (safe group); compared to students never wearing seatbelts or bike helmets including those never wearing seatbelts but not riding a bike (unsafe group). Independent effects of seat belts; bike helmets; and a combined effect for both behaviors were investigated. Logistic regression was utilized to investigate potentially confounding demographic variables. Results: Adolescents engaging in pro-health personal safety behaviors were less likely to report health risk behaviors such as weapon use, fighting, suicide attempts, current tobacco use, current alcohol use, current illegal drug use, current sexual activity, and academic achievement. For those who did not ride bikes, seat belt use was associated with less risk behavior. For bike riders, seat belt use and bike helmet use had independent effects, but the largest differences were found in students who use both. Conclusions: While the nature of the association between pro-health personal safety behaviors and health risk behaviors is unclear, promoting pro-health values through personal safety behaviors may also encourage adolescents to engage in fewer health risk behaviors.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Describe the average difference in health risk behavior involvement in pro-health oriented adolescents.
• Discuss the magnitude of safety as a protective factor.
• Discuss ways that encouraging pro-health behaviors may improve adolescent health.

Keywords: Injury Prevention, Risk Taking Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.