Socioeconomic status, urbanicity and risk behaviors in Mexican youth: an analysis of three cross-sectional surveys

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The relationship between urbanicity and adolescent health is a critical issue for which little empirical evidence has been reported. Although an association has been suggested, a dichotomous rural versus urban comparison may not succeed in identifying differences between adolescent contexts. This study aims to assess the influence of locality size on risk behaviors in a national sample of young Mexicans living in low-income households, while considering the moderating effect of socioeconomic status (SES).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This is a secondary analysis of three national surveys of low-income households in Mexico in different settings: rural, semi-urban and urban areas. We analyzed risk behaviors in 15-21-year-olds and their potential relation to urbanicity. The risk behaviors explored were: tobacco and alcohol consumption, sexual initiation and condom use. The adolescents' localities of residence were classified according to the number of inhabitants in each locality. We used a logistical model to identify an association between locality size and risk behaviors, including an interaction term with SES.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The final sample included 17,974 adolescents from 704 localities in Mexico. Locality size was associated with tobacco and alcohol consumption, showing a similar effect throughout all SES levels: the larger the size of the locality, the lower the risk of consuming tobacco or alcohol compared with rural settings. The effect of locality size on sexual behavior was more complex. The odds of adolescent condom use were higher in larger localities only among adolescents in the lowest SES levels. We found no statically significant association between locality size and sexual initiation.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The results suggest that in this sample of adolescents from low-income areas in Mexico, risk behaviors are related to locality size (number of inhabitants). Furthermore, for condom use, this relation is moderated by SES. Such heterogeneity suggests the need for more detailed analyses of both the effects of urbanicity on behavior, and the responses--which are also heterogeneous--required to address this situation.</p

Uso de álcool, tabaco e outras drogas por adolescentes escolares em município do Sul do Brasil Alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use by teenage students in a city in Southern Brazil

Este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar o comportamento dos estudantes do ensino público municipal de Gravataí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, em relação ao consumo de álcool, tabaco e outras drogas, investigando fatores associados. Foi utilizado delineamento transversal com amostra aleatória representativa de 1.170 escolares da 7ª série e estratificada por região do município. As associações entre desfechos e fatores em estudo foram testadas com regressão de Cox bivariada, modificada para estudos transversais. Foram encontrados, respectivamente, 60,7%, 16,9% e 2,4% de uso na vida de bebida alcoólica, tabaco e outras drogas. Nos últimos trinta dias, o álcool também apresentou a maior prevalência (33%), seguido pelo tabaco (4,4%) e outras drogas (0,6%). O estudo revelou a importância da família e dos amigos na experimentação das substâncias pelos jovens. A prevalência do uso de tabaco e álcool nos últimos trinta dias esteve associada à presença de sentimentos de tristeza, solidão, dificuldade para dormir e ideação suicida. O consumo de outras drogas esteve associado ao sentimento de solidão e ideação suicida.<br>This study analyzes alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use by seventh-graders in municipal schools in the city of Gravataí, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, and associated factors. A cross-sectional school survey was conducted in a representative random sample of 1,170 seventh-graders from municipal schools. The bivariate Cox regression model, modified for cross-sectional studies, was used to evaluate associations between specific factors and outcomes. Prevalence rates for lifetime consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs were 60.7%, 16.9%, and 2.4%, respectively. Consumption rates in the previous 30 days were: alcohol, 33%; tobacco, 4.4%; and other drugs, 0.6%. The study showed an association with substance use by family and friends. Prevalence of tobacco and alcohol use during the previous 30 days was associated with feelings of sadness, loneliness, insomnia, and suicidal ideation. Use of other drugs was associated with loneliness and suicidal ideation