A J Flisher1, D O Chalton. 1. Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town.
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.
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.
Authors: Catherine L Ward; Jennifer R Mertens; Alan J Flisher; Graham F Bresick; Stacy A Sterling; Francesca Little; Constance M Weisner Journal: Subst Use Misuse Date: 2008 Impact factor: 2.164