Patterns of health-related behaviors among high school students in Urmia

Abstract

Background: Since adolescents spend a considerable period of their time at school, this environment can be an appropriate place for teaching a healthy lifestyle. This study was done in order to determine patterns of health-related behavioral among the urban and rural students in Uremia, Iran. Method: The study was designed and implemented with a sectional and descriptiveanalytic approach. Using stratified random sampling method, 194 males and 191 female high school students from urban and rural areas were chosen to participate in this survey. Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Addictions Acknowledgement Scale (AAS) and Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLPII) were used for data collection. Results: 50.39 % of study participants were male and 49.61 % were female. The results showed that the students were ranged in normal on-line users (mean score of the IAT was 41.72±17.41). About two-third of the participants were categorized in the ordinary level. Mean score of the AAS was 1.87±1.23 among boys and 1.75±1.31 among girls. Moreover, 8.31 per cent of the students had a higher score of three which indicate being prone to abusing substances. The mean score of physical activity in students 57.55 ±4.88 and the mean score in nutrition dimension were 64.04 ± 3.67. Conclusion: Regarding the significant relationship between mothers' education and Internet addiction, nutrition and the importance of mothers' role in the upbringing of adolescents and forming healthy behavioral patterns, educating and increasing health literacy level among this class of population can be an important step in promoting mental and physical health of adolescents. Also, due to the significant relationship between student field and physical activity, the compulsory exercise outside of school hours can help in increasing physical activity in students.