Multiple Health Risk Behaviours Among Adolescent Males in India

Abstract

Adolescence is a critical transitional period that includes the biological changes of puberty, the need to increase independence, preoccupation with the self, and normative experimentation. A number of health risk behaviours begin in adolescence that affect health both at the time and in later years. Some of these behaviours contribute to the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among adolescents, such as suicide attempts, injuries and the various risks associated with unprotected sexual behaviour, conditions related to tobacco or alcohol use and overweight or obesity. Even though the information regarding the health risk behaviours of adolescence would help in formulating policies and programs for improving adolescent health, researches in this field is very scarce in India. In this study I made an attempt to analyse risky behaviours of adolescents (15-19 age group) in India using data from men’s file of NFHS-4, (2015-16). The overall profile of adolescents were explained through contingency tables. As the objective of the study include the sexual behaviour also, the further analysis were restricted to the adolescents who ever had sex in life time. The prevalence of health risk behaviours were also examined. Determinants of these risky behaviours are analysed using logistic regression analysis. The results can be contributed in identifying factors that should be targeted in future interventions for promoting healthier behaviours in adolescents. The findings of this study alarmed the risk taking behaviour of Indian adolescent males regarding sexual behaviours and substance use patterns. KEY WORDS: Adolescents, risky sexual behaviours, multiple health risk behaviours, HIV/AIDs