Kithiya Suchprasert. The effects of personal and environmental factors on elementary students' health risk behaviors Nakhonpathom province. Master's Degree(Human Development ). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2009.
The effects of personal and environmental factors on elementary students' health risk behaviors Nakhonpathom province
Abstract:
The health risk behaviors of adolescents are recognized as a part of
adolescent development but they do also affect their adult life. A cross-sectional study
was done to examine the effect of predictive factors on health risk behaviors in
elementary students, grades 5 and 6. Purposive sampling was used for selecting 450
elementary students in Nakhonpathom province. Frequency, percentage, standard
deviation and logistic regression were used for analysis.
The results of this study showed that regarding health risk behaviors, 23.7%
had unintentional injuries and violence, 4.2% smoked, 18.2% alcohol drank, 3.03%
had an unhealthy diet, and 36.86% were physically inactive. However, this study
didnt find health risk behaviors regarding drug abuse and sexual intercourse. The
study investigated the health risk behaviors regarding personal factors and found that
students with behavior problems such as ADHD, emotional problems, conduct
disorders and prosocial problems were more likely to have an increase risk of
unintentional injuries, drinking alcohol, and physical inactivity. Concerning depressive
factors, the study found that students with depression were less likely to have risk
behaviors with regard to injuries and were less likely to end up in a hospital due to
violent events. Concerning academic achievement factors, the study found that an
increase in the score of academic achievement was associated with reduced probability
for sexual abuse, smoking, and unhealthy dietary behaviors. For the environmental
factors the research discovered that good family relationship were associated with an
increased probability for wearing seatbelt and a decreased physical inactivity.
Furthermore, students who have relationships with friends who are questionable
tended to be at risk for violent behaviors, and sexual abused more than students who
have good relationships.
From the results of the study it is suggested that health risk behaviors should
be monitored and there should be intervention programs in elementary students to
protect them from health risk behavior and promote adolescent development.
Furthermore, the government, concerned organizations, the communities, schools, and
family should pay more serious attention and continuously watch health risk
behaviors.