FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, February 26, 2002
CONTACT: Steven Baratte
San
Diego City Schools Releases Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Biennial
Survey Shows 10-Year Trend
SAN DIEGO, Tuesday, February 26, 2002 - Fewer San Diego City Schools high school age students are using illegal narcotics or drinking to excess and are changing behavior or taking precautions in order to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, according to a survey released today.
"Based on past experience, a reduction in drinking or use of illegal narcotics not only correlates to increased safe driving, but also a safer school environment," according to Jack Campana, director of student support services.
The results come from the 2001 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The survey, given every other year to students in grades 9-12, seeks information in six categories of priority health risk behaviors among youth: behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that result in HIV infection, other sexually transmitted diseases, and unintended pregnancies; unhealthy dietary behaviors; and physical inactivity. This year, more than 1,800 students in 25 San Diego public high schools completed the 97-item questionnaire.
"The results of the survey offer both encouraging information about our ninth grade school students, but also point a need for more attention to the emotional sides of our students," said Campana. "We have seen a considerable impact from our life skills curriculum, which we started three years ago in grades 6th, 7th and 8th. There has been a significant reduction in alcohol, tobacco and other drug suspensions which supports teaching and learning in the classroom."
Campana said a major
concern highlighted in the survey is the number of students who are reporting
being depressed or having attempted suicide. The percentage of students
who have attempted suicide at least once during the previous 12 months
is 10.5%. Campana adds, "It is so important that parents and other
positive adults talk to kids, not just about suicide, but to be actively
engaged in their lives."
The YRBS is one component of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System
developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration
with representatives from 71 state and local departments of education
and health, 19 other federal agencies, and national education and health
organizations. The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System was designed
to focus the nation on behaviors among youth related to the leading causes
of mortality and morbidity among both youth and adults and to assess how
these risk behaviors change over time. San Diego City Schools has implemented
the YRBS since 1991.
Additional information on the report can be accessed via the district's web site, www.sandi.net.
2001
Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results
Major Findings for San Diego City Schools
Percentage
of students who smoked cigarettes at least once during the past 30 day
|
1991 |
1993 |
1995 |
1997 |
1999 |
2001 |
National Ave*. |
|
17.9% |
21.7% |
23.8% |
24.2% |
23.1% |
17.1% |
34.8% |
Percentage of 9th grade students who smoked cigarettes at least once during the past 30 day
|
1997 |
1999 |
2001 |
National Av.* |
|
23.5% |
18.6% |
11% |
27.6% |
Percentage of students who carried a weapon on campus at least once during the last 30 days
|
1993 |
1995 |
1997 |
1999 |
2001 |
National Av.* |
|
11.1% |
7.9% |
7.2% |
6.5% |
5% |
6.9% |
Percentage of students who attempted suicide at least once during the last 12 months
|
1991 |
1993 |
1995 |
1997 |
1999 |
2001 |
National Av.* |
|
6.3% |
9.9% |
10% |
9.5% |
9.2% |
10.5% |
8.3% |
|
1997 |
1999 |
2001 |
National Av.* |
|
11% |
10.6% |
11.7% |
8.3% |
Percentage of students who participated in binge drinking at least once during the last 30 days
|
1991 |
1993 |
1995 |
1997 |
1999 |
2001 |
National Av.* |
|
25.5% |
22.4% |
23.9% |
27.1% |
22.3% |
24.3% |
31.5% |
|
1997 |
1999 |
2001 |
|
23.6% |
18.1% |
15% |
Percentage of students who used marijuana at least once during the last 30 days
|
1991 |
1993 |
1995 |
1997 |
1999 |
2001 |
National Av.* |
|
18.1% |
22.6% |
26.5% |
26.4% |
22.2% |
22.5% |
26.7% |
|
1997 |
1999 |
2001 |
|
22.4% |
18.4% |
17% |
Percentage of students who had sexual intercourse
|
1991 |
1993 |
1995 |
1997 |
1999 |
2001 |
National Av.* |
|
48% |
45.4% |
44.6% |
44.7% |
38.5% |
38.2% |
49.9% |
|
1997 |
1999 |
2001 |
|
28.9% |
25.4% |
27.5% |
Download the San Diego Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 1991 - 2001
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