Learner Objectives:
The learner will be able to:
1) Assess selected health risk behaviors and 2) Identify emerging risk behavior trends among Russian youth.
Abstract:
Background: The Chronic Disease Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine has worked collaboratively on Sakhalin, Island, Russia to improve the health of Russian youth and adults. Little research is available in America on the health habits and attitudes of Russian youth, and in particular of youth on Sakhalin Island. This research reflects the comparative results of a preliminary study and four year follow up of selected items from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey (YRBSS) that will be used for future collaborative efforts comparing the health habits of American and Russian youth, as well as aid local health promotion initiatives on Sakhalin Island.
Purpose: To measure differences on selected YRBSS behavioral risk factors of Korsakov youth from 2001 and 2005. Targeted risk factors include physical activity, tobacco, alcohol, and substance use, sexual behavior, and other health risks.
Methods: The YRBSS instrument was translated into Russian and pilot tested for validity and reliability. Classroom teachers administered the survey to 1027 students in city schools in Korsakov and its surrounding region in 2001. In 2005 teachers re-administered a modified survey to 1596 students in Korsakov and three other cities on Sakhalin Island. This study focuses on comparing 2001 and 2005 data for the Korsakov schools only.
Results: In 2001 and 2005, similar percentages reported ever having smoked (79.7% vs. 77.0%), the youngest starting at 8 years of age (8.7% vs. 8.6%). There was a 3.9% decrease in the number who did not smoke at all during the previous month (51.0% vs. 47.1%), however there was a 5.0% decrease in the number who smoked daily. There was an insignificant drop of 0.7% among students who did not drink alcohol at all over the previous month. The median age of one's first drink increased from “11-12” years to “13-14” years. The percentage of students reporting ever having been taught about HIV/AIDS in school increased from 56.9% in 2001 to 79.1%. Further data and analyses will be presented.
Significance: This ongoing survey provided the opportunity to utilize selected YRBSS items to assess risk behaviors among Korsakov youth. Results will be utilized in planning a healthy lifestyle high school curriculum and will allow comparison with American data.