NCJ Number
242149
Journal
Journal of Drug Education Volume: 42 Issue: 2 Dated: 2012 Pages: 177-193
Date Published
2012
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study explored the drinking-smoking status and health risk behaviors of a sample of high school students in Thailand.
Abstract
While drinking, smoking, and health risk behaviors have been found to be significant problems among adolescents in Thailand, little research has been conducted to determine the association between the co-use of alcohol and tobacco and risk taking behavior. This study explored this association and found that alcohol and tobacco use tended not only to precede but also to increase the risk of initiating illegal substance use. The study also found that fighting was higher among male adolescents, and that adolescents who drank, used tobacco, or were co-users were at an increased risk for aggressive behavior compared to non-users. Additionally, the study found that co-users were at an increased risk for having premature and unprotected sex compared to non-users; that co-users were at an increased risk for suicidal thoughts compared to non-users; and that alcohol and tobacco use increased the risk of depression with no significant differences between genders. These findings indicate that alcohol and tobacco use poses a significant health problem among adolescents in Thailand and the prevention initiatives should be targeted towards both middle and high school students. Data for the study were obtained from secondary data analysis using the dataset from the 2007 National School Survey for Alcohol Consumption and Health Risk Behaviors, a bi-annual survey monitoring drinking and other health risk behaviors among high school students in Thailand. The variables analyzed for the study were risk behaviors that included illegal substance use, premature and unprotected sex, fighting, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Study limitations are discussed. Tables and references