Citation

Zhou Y, Denis Nkomola P, Xue Q, Li X, Xie X, Hou F, Gu H, Song R. Child. Youth Serv. Rev. 2020; 118.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105335

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Health risk behaviors among adolescents could have negative health effect and impose huge economic and social burdens on society. Among the various health risk behaviors that could be intervened, the consequences of attempted suicide were extremely serious and deserved special attention. The prevalence of health risk behaviors during adolescence varied by country. This study aimed to evaluate the health risk behaviors among adolescents in China and Tanzania, which would promote the cooperation between the two countries in the field of health.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Tanzania (Arusha) and China (Wuhan). Participants were recruited from the junior and senior high schools (China, n = 811; Tanzania, n = 621). Those students were about 12-18 years old in China, and about 15-20 years old in Tanzania. The data collection was anonymous.

RESULTS: The physical fighting and dissatisfaction with their shape among high school students in China were more prevalent than those in Tanzania. In contrast, the prevalence of ever smoking, drinking, having sexual behavior and suicide attempts was higher among high school students in Tanzania. The prevalence of suicide attempts in the past 12-month were 9.7% (China) and 24.8% (Tanzania).

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of health risk behaviors and suicide attempt were high and varied widely among adolescents in China and Tanzania. This study is meaningful for providing necessary information to formulate interventions. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescent; China; Suicide attempt; Tanzania; Health risk behaviors