Health Related Behaviors among Adolescents and Youth in Assiut Governorate, Upper Egypt | ||
| Journal of High Institute of Public Health | ||
| Article 8, Volume 29, Issue 3, July 1999, Pages 447-474 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/jhiph.2024.393670 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Mohmoud A. Abdel-Aty; Mohamed H. Qayed; Kawthar A. Fadel | ||
| Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| A cross-sectional community -based study in rural and urban areas was designed to study the cultural norms and health related behavior about reproduction, female circumcision, STDs, smoking and leisure time use. The data were collected by personal interview of 1660 adolescents and youth aged 15-24 years in two rural [1151] and two urban [509] areas. Qualitative data have been collected through eight focus group discussions [FGDs]. Illiteracy [16.8% and unemployment [38.6%] particularly in females [25.6% and 32.7%] represented big problems. Before the age of 20 years, 72.8% of married females got first pregnancy with mean age of 18.41.99 years and 85.9% idealized 20 years and over for first pregnancy. Three children was the ideal number of wanted children in 54.2% and more than half [55.3%] considered 35-40 years the ideal age for terminating child bearing. About one-fourth of married females got pregnant three times or more and this depended on the number of living children and duration of marriage by using logistic regression analysis. 81.3% of the total sample idealized two years or more for child spacing and 39% preferred consanguineous marriage. Female circumcision was almost universal [98.5%] and decreased markedly by mothers education [82.5%] and 75.9% intended to circumcise their daughters. About half of adolescents and youth [48.4%] knew about STDs. Of the aware group [94.9%] knew AIDS and 59.2% recommended sticking to religious teaching to protect themselves against STD/AIDS. 30% of males were smokers and the habit was much higher among working groups as free business, skilled workers and farmers. Leisure time use was underutilized; sports were practiced by 26.6%, reading as a hobby of 41.6% and only 12.2% as a volunteer for public activities. Literacy and unemployment are major problems with gender disparities. The ideal period of childbearing is high. AIDS is a relatively known STD, FC is universal, smoking is high with little use of leisure time. Multisectoral approach, female education beyond basic education and health education are recommended with reinforcing positive reproductive norms. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Health Behaviors; Adolescents; Youth; Assiut Governorate; Upper Egypt | ||
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