February 22, 2010

DCHD, DCPS ASSESS
RISK BEHAVIORS OF YOUTH

The Duval County Health Department (DCHD) and Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) have released the results of a survey measuring the risk behaviors and health habits of Duval County youth. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is a self-administered, anonymous survey that was conducted in high schools and middle schools in Duval County during the spring of 2009. The survey covers four general health risk areas: (1) violence, suicide, and safety; (2) alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use; (3) sexual behaviors; and (4) physical activity and dietary behaviors.

Click on the reports to view them:
Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs - Middle School
Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs - High School
Physical Activity & Nutrition - Middle School
Physical Activity, Nutrition & Body Image - High School
Sexual Behavior - Middle School
Sexual Behavior - High School
Violence - Middle School
Violence, Suicide & Safety - High School

The survey is part of a national effort by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to obtain information regarding youth social behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of mortality, morbidity, and social problems.

“While we celebrate positive behaviors and outcomes for some areas, there is cause for concern in others,” said DCHD Director Robert Harmon M.D., M.P.H. “We hope the results of these surveys will allow Duval County stakeholders to identify at-risk groups and implement a call to action that can produce healthier lifestyles.”

Some of the key findings were that violence-related behaviors are more likely to occur in Duval County than in the state. The survey found that 22 percent of high school students and 32 percent of middle school students had carried weapons for protection. A higher percentage of Duval students had been in a fight or bullied, compared to state and national responses. One of the more glaring statistics concerned suicide. Over 14 percent of high school students have attempted suicide, and over 20 percent of middle school students have thought about suicide, higher than the state averages of over 11 percent and 15 percent, respectively.

However, Duval youth tend to show lower rates of alcohol and tobacco use. For example, the number of Duval high school students who have ever tried cigarettes (28 percent) or alcohol (66 percent) was significantly lower than the national results (50 percent and 75 percent, respectively).

On most indicators of sexual behavior, Duval youths were statistically similar to state and national data. Nearly half of Duval high school students and over three-quarters of middle school students have never had sex.

In the 27 middle schools in Duval County, 3,138 students participated and in the 19 public high schools in Duval County, 2,542 students participated. The questions addressed factors that contribute to the leading causes of mortality, morbidity, and social problems.

For the first time, Duval County received federal funding from the CDC to administer the YRBS at the county level.

For more information visit www.duvalschools.org/yrbs.

Duval County Health Department
900 University Blvd. N.
Jacksonville, FL 32211
253-1000

Copyright ©  2003 Duval County Health Department. All rights reserved.