Northern Interior Results of the 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey BC Adolescent Health Survey: Northern Interior Background Positive findings and trends Areas of concern Protective factors Using the data Administration 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey 29,832 surveys completed 1,645 classrooms 56 school districts 325 PHNs and nursing students Northern Interior Youth in Northern Interior 67% of students reported European heritage 22% reported Aboriginal heritage 5% of students were born outside of Canada Home life 93% of students lived with at least one parent 4% had lived in foster care 2% had lived in a group home 11% ran away from home in past year 23% moved from one home to another Young carers Health conditions and disabilities 22% of males and 32% of females had at least one health condition or disability Females were almost 3x as likely as males to report a mental or emotional health condition For many the condition was debilitating Working Note: The difference between 16 or 17 and 18 years old or older was not statistically significant. * The percentage should be interpreted with caution as the standard error was relatively but still within a releasable range. Technology 87% of males and 94% of females had a cellphone Cellphone use was linked to: More likely to have adult outside family to talk to; More likely to feel understood by family Students without a cellphone: More likely to have slept for 8 or more hours Positive Findings and Trends Most youth had seen a dentist in the past year 7% of students missed out on needed medical care Decrease in serious injuries 30% seriously injured in past year, decrease from 35% in 2008 49% injured during recreational activities Injury prevention improvements 76% of youth always wore seat belt, an increase from 65% in 2008 Fewer students driving after drinking alcohol Fewer driving after using marijuana Most youth ate fruit and vegetables 91% of youth never went to bed hungry, an increase from 89% in 2008 58% of males and 43% of females always ate breakfast on school days Nutrition Risky sexual behaviour decreased 28% had ever had sex Among those: 24% used drugs or alcohol last time they had sex 66% (they or their partner) used condom last time Fewer students reported pregnancy involvement 28% had ever tried smoking Among those: Fewer youth first smoked at 12 or younger Fewer exposed to second-hand smoke daily Males more likely to use certain products 52% were recent smokers Fewer youth tried tobacco Fewer youth tried alcohol 58% had ever tried alcohol Among those: Youth waited longer to try alcohol 41% reported having five or more drinks over a short period of time 27% drank last Saturday Fewer youth tried marijuana 33% had ever tried marijuana Among those: Youth waited longer to try marijuana 57% had used it in the past month 8% used marijuana and alcohol last Saturday Decreases in substance use Using other substances 2013 Change since 2008 Prescription pills without a doctors consent 13% Mushrooms8% Ecstasy4% Hallucinogens4% Cocaine4% Inhalants2% Amphetamines2% Ketamine, GHB2% Crystal meth1% Steroids without a doctors consent1% Heroin1% NA School safety increased Note: NA means that the question was not asked. -- The percentages in 2008 and 2013 were comparable. Students whose friends would be upset with them if they Change since 2008 Dropped out of school84%86% -- Were involved in gang activityNA85% Got pregnant or got someone pregnant 71%79% Got arrested61%76% Beat someone up41%64% Used marijuana56%54% -- Got drunk27%34% Friends with pro-social attitudes Areas of ConcernAreas of Concern Concussions Ratings of mental health Suicide Males 9% considered suicide 4% attempted suicide Females 20% considered suicide 11% attempted suicide Other mental health concerns Most commonly reported conditions Males Female s Depression 7%16% Anxiety Disorder/ Panic Attacks 4%15% Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 9%6% Overweight and obesity rates Note: The difference between males and females who were underweight was not statistically significant. Foregone mental health care 17% of females and 6% of males did not access needed mental health services Most common reason was not wanting parents to know More likely than in 2008 to report not wanting parents to know and not knowing where to go Note : Percentages do not equal 100% due to rounding. Getting enough sleep Mental health and sleep * The percentage should be interpreted with caution as the standard error was relatively high but still within a releasable range. Note: Not all differences were statistically significant. Bullying Increase in rates of male students experiencing teasing Rates did not improve for: Social exclusion Physical assaults Cyberbullying Perpetrators of bullying Discrimination & violence Females more likely to be discriminated against because of: physical appearance, being seen as different, age and gender Decrease in racial discrimination among males Rate of dating violence did not improve Abuse & harassment Exercise participation 21% of students aged met their daily activity guidelines 63% of students aged 18 or older reached their daily activity guidelines On a weekly basis: 62% involved in informal sports, 53% played organized sports, 14% did exercise or dance classes BarrierMalesFemales Too busy37%49% Couldnt get there or home14%20% Couldnt afford to participate14%18% Activity wasnt available in community 12%17% Worried about being bullied6%8% Barriers to participation Protective FactorsProtective Factors School connectedness Positive family relationships Caring adults outside the family Someone to turn to for help Established Protective Factors Peer relationships Good nutrition Feeling engaged and valued Stable home Established Protective Factors Eight or more hours of sleep Neighbourhood safety Community connectedness Cultural connectedness Protective Factors Youth are generally making less risky choices about their health Mental health for females is among the areas of concern, and where there have been fewer improvements Promoting protective factors have and can continue to play a key role in improving outcomes for BC youth 56 school district data tables 16 HSDA reports Growing Up in BC Sexual health report Youth resources Using the data Next Steps Youth-led projects or initiatives In Our Shoes Bullying awareness video https://www.youtube.com/user/McCrearyCentrehttps://www.youtube.com/user/McCrearyCentre Grants up to $500 for youth-led projects Discussing the results Commentary on the AHS findings from: Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Representative for Children and Youth Bob Lenarduzzi, President, Vancouver Whitecaps And more! Video on McCrearys YouTube channelVideo on McCrearys YouTube channel Northern Interior Results of the 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey