Urbanisation and adolescent risk behaviour.

A J Flisher; D O Chalton

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PubMed · 11291424

Urbanisation and adolescent risk behaviour.

A J Flisher·D O Chalton

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether there is an association between the length of time lived in an urban area and selected adolescent risk behaviours. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey in which students completed an anonymous, confidential questionnaire. SETTING: Four high schools in black communities in the Cape Peninsula, South Africa. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 1,296 students obtained by multistage cluster sampling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Selected risk behaviours. RESULTS: There is a relationship between urbanisation and certain risk behaviours. The following risk behaviours were associated with urbanisation: use in the previous month of alcohol, cannabis, and cannabis mixed with Mandrax; being a victim of violence; perpetration of an act of violence; and suicidality. Conversely, participation in sexual intercourse and solvent sniffing in the previous month were not associated with urbanisation. CONCLUSION: Urbanisation is associated with an increase in the prevalence rates of some risk behaviours. Mental health promotion efforts may be informed by further research aimed at the identification of: (i) the characteristics of risk behaviour that determine whether it is associated with urbanisation; and (ii) where applicable, the specific aspects of the urbanisation process that contribute to an increase in risk.

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Adolescent Adolescent Behavior Adult Cross-Sectional Studies Female Humans Male Psychometrics Risk-Taking Urbanization Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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A J Flisher, D O Chalton. 2001. Urbanisation and adolescent risk behaviour.. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11291424/

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