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  • Title: Violence and associated high-risk health behavior in adolescents. Substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy of adolescents.
    Author: Melzer-Lange MD.
    Journal: Pediatr Clin North Am; 1998 Apr; 45(2):307-17. PubMed ID: 9568011.
    Abstract:
    The intricate relationship between the social and health behaviors of persons of all ages has long been described. In adolescent health care, the risk-taking behaviors that are recognized in the areas of sexuality, drug and alcohol abuse, and violence need to be addressed. This article discusses adolescent risk behaviors and their relationships to violence. Health care providers need to consider these risk behaviors as they care for adolescents. High-risk health behaviors in adolescents such as alcohol, tobacco, and drug use, early onset of sexual behavior, STDs, and early parenthood have been linked with violence. Analysis of the 1991 Youth Risk Behavior Survey revealed that adolescents who were using alcohol were twice as likely to carry weapons or engage in fights compared to non-alcohol users. In a study of male youth offenders accused of violent crimes, 88% admitted weekly alcohol intoxication. A survey conducted on 10,645 youths age 12-21 years regarding risk-taking behaviors also established a significant association between violent behavior and cigarette smoking although it could not determine the sequence of events in connection with smoking and violence. Furthermore, a 1995 survey of high school students in the US reported that 42% had used marijuana in their lifetime while 7% had tried cocaine at some time in their life. The 1991 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (n = 12,272) also revealed that the rate of weapon-carrying increased with the use of marijuana (48% vs. 22%, P 0.001) and the use of cocaine (71% vs. 25%, P 0.001). 63% of marijuana users and 74% of cocaine users reported physical fighting. The same survey when conducted in 1995 showed that 53% of high school students had had sexual intercourse at some time in their life, 17% had had 4 or more sexual partners, and 7% reported having been pregnant or impregnated someone else. Another study reported the influence of drugs and alcohol on unwanted sexual experiences among high school students. Having described the interrelationship of high-risk health behaviors and violence, the author urges health-care providers to develop skills that will adequately assess adolescents for these risk factors so that appropriate treatment can be provided.
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