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

Abstract #115278

Lei Zhang, MS, MBA, Health Services Data Unit, Mississippi State Department of Health, 570 East Woodrow Wilson, Jackson, MS 39215, 601-576-7112, lzhang@msdh.state.ms.us and William D. Johnson, PhD, Department of Preventive Medicine, The University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, MS 39216.

Objective: To examine trends and compare subgroup differences in violence-related behaviors on school property among Mississippi public high school students from 1993 to 2003.

Setting: Youth violence-related behaviors potentially result in enormous physical, emotional, social, and economic consequences. To reduce physical fighting and weapon carrying among adolescents on school property are objectives set by the Healthy People 2010.

Methods: We combined six Mississippi Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (YRBS) from 1993 to 2003. Topics of carrying a weapon, being threatened or injured, and having a physical fight on school property were selected for investigation. Overall temporal changes were analyzed by using SUDAAN logistic regression that assessed linear and quadratic time effects.

Results: We found males, non-Hispanic Whites, heavy smokers, and binge drinkers reported violence-related behaviors on school property more frequently than their counterparts. A statistically significant linear decrease occurred during 1993-2003 in the percent of students carrying a weapon (p < 0.0001) and having a physical fight (p < 0.0001). The percent of students threatened or injured with a weapon on school grounds did not decrease significantly (p = 0.2800). Violence-related behaviors were reported somewhat less frequently among 12th graders but overall, grade was not a statistically significant factor.

Conclusion: Although the decreases are encouraging, the percent of students who reported violence-related behaviors remains at a level that causes serious concern. Efforts must continue and perhaps increase to curb behaviors that may lead to school violence.

Learning Objectives: Participants can learn trend analysis for complex surveys in a public health setting.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants can learn trend analysis for complex surveys in a public health setting.

Keywords: School Health Educators,

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.