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Health and well‐being of secondary school students in N ew Z ealand: Trends between 2001, 2007 and 2012
Author(s) -
Clark Terryann,
Fleming Theresa,
Bullen Pat,
Crengle Sue,
Denny Simon,
Dyson Ben,
PeirisJohn Roshini,
Robinson Elizabeth,
Rossen Fiona,
Sheridan Janie,
Teevale Tasileta,
Utter Jennifer,
Lewycka Sonia
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of paediatrics and child health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.631
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1440-1754
pISSN - 1034-4810
DOI - 10.1111/jpc.12427
Subject(s) - medicine , demography , confidence interval , odds ratio , overweight , adolescent health , condom , obesity , family medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , nursing , syphilis , sociology
Aim To describe indicators of health and well‐being for N ew Z ealand secondary school students; explore changes between 2001, 2007 and 2012; and compare these findings to international estimates. Methods Three national health and well‐being surveys of randomly selected N ew Z ealand secondary school students were conducted. Data are presented as prevalence and variation over time (adjusted odds ratio ( aOR )). Comparisons with international estimates were made with subsets of the data. Results Between 2001 and 2012, students reported reductions in cigarette use ( aOR 0.27, 95% confidence interval ( CI ) 0.23–0.32), alcohol use ( aOR 0.39, 95% CI 0.33–0.46), marijuana use ( aOR 0.37, 95% CI 0.31–0.43), sexual abuse ( aOR 0.52, 95% CI 0.46–0.58), fighting ( aOR 0.63, 95% CI 0.55–0.73), seatbelt use ( aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.31–1.65) and risky driving behaviours ( aOR 0.39, 95% CI 0.33–0.45). Positive connections to school (perception that the school cares, aOR 1.22, 95% CI 1.10–1.35; liking school, aOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.33–1.82) and family (good family relationship, aOR 1.83, 95% CI 1.70–1.97) also improved. Indicators that did not improve and compared poorly with international estimates were protected sex (condom use at last sexual intercourse, aOR 0.77, 95% CI 0.68–0.87) and healthy life‐style (daily physical activity, aOR 0.88, 95% CI 0.78–0.99; overweight/obese, aOR 1.09, 95% CI 0.92–1.31). Exposure to family violence ( aOR 1.37, 95% CI 1.11–1.68) and depressive symptoms ( aOR 1.03, 95% CI 0.91–1.17) also did not improve. Conclusions There have been important improvements in the health and well‐being of N ew Z ealand adolescents over a relatively short period. These findings demonstrate that population rates of adolescent risk behaviours are amenable to change. Current policy efforts should not lose momentum, while identified priority areas must be adequately resourced to ensure young people have opportunities to thrive now and in the future.