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Sex,
drugs, violence, peer pressure
discussed in youth health survey
By Ellen Gerstein
Executive director
Gwinnett Coalitioh for Health and Human Services
Special to GwinnettForum.com
MAY 21, 2002 -- "Sex, Drugs, Violence, Peer Pressure, Suicide."
These are some of the issues that were addressed in the second Comprehensive
Youth Health Survey, sponsored by the Gwinnett Coalition for Health
and Human Services.
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Ellen
Gerstein |
The survey, which was given to 3,833 youth in fifth grade, middle
and high school, was conducted in November 2000 in Gwinnett County
public and private schools. Questions focused on several key areas
such as: physical activity, sexual activity, youth violence, drug
and alcohol abuse, mental and emotional health, just to name a few.
There are three main points that the 2000 survey revealed.
- Since the first survey, which was conducted in 1996, we have
seen improvement in many areas. We believe that the overwhelming
community action and response to the 1996 survey has made a significant
difference.
- Youth across Gwinnett are still dealing with health risk issues
and are participating in risky behaviors.
- There is a continuing need for education to inform Gwinnett
parents on the behaviors their children are participating in and
exposed to and how to counteract and prevent these behaviors.
Results from the 2000 Comprehensive Youth Health Survey also revealed
additional information related to youth and their choices about
positive and negative issues and behaviors. Data connected to sexual
activity indicates that almost 50 percent of sexually active youth
reported having sex at age 14 or younger. Of those that are sexually
active, 56.2 percent stated they always used birth control.
Even though Gwinnett's teens reported less use of alcohol, tobacco
and other drugs than other areas of the country, one third of our
high school youth reported that they have smoked cigarettes or marijuana.
More than half reported drinking alcohol.
Results from questions related to delinquency support that 52 per
cent of high school and 27 per cent of middle school youth have
known about gang activity.
Sixty nine percent of high school youth confirmed that they feel
able to talk to mothers about serious problems compared to 57 percent
in 1996.
Highlights related to positive assets indicate middle school youth
like school more, feel more encouragement at school, and feel safer
than high school youth.
The results of the Comprehensive Youth Health Survey provide a
more clear picture of the health behaviors and concerns of our youth.
This information equips families and communities to address these
concerns and build positive behaviors among our youth.
This baseline data will play an instrumental role in guiding program
development, recommendations and implementation in forming goals
and strategies for the Gwinnett Coalition's next strategic plan.
The Comprehensive Youth Health Survey contains invaluable current
data regarding our youth, tips for parents and communities to address
issues, and a resource listing of organizations in Gwinnett County
that can assist families.
To receive a copy of the Survey or if you may have questions please
contact me at (678) 376-7887. Copies of the Survey can also be downloaded
at www.gwinnettcoalition.org.
Click
here to read other community commentaries...
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Number
2.12, May 21, 2002
