Purposes of the YRBSS

*Focus the nation on behaviors among youth causing

the most important health problems
*Violence
*Alcohol and other drug use
*Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries
*Sexual behaviors
*Tobacco use
*Unhealthy dietary behaviors
*Inadequate physical activity
*Assess how risk behaviors change over time
*Provide comparable data for the Nation, states,
and large urban school districts
Characteristics of the National, State,
and Local School-Based YRBS
*9th – 12th grade students
*Probability samples of schools and students
*Anonymous
*Self-administered, computer-scannable
questionnaire or answer sheet
*Completed in one class period (45 minutes)
*Conducted biennially usually during the spring
2005 National YRBS
*National probability sample of public and private
schools
*Total sample size = 13,917
*School-level response rate = 78%
*Student-level response rate = 86%
*Overall response rate = 67%
State and Local YRBS Participation
1991 – 2005
Policy and Program Applications
*Describe risk behaviors
*Create awareness
*Set program goals
*Develop programs and policies
*Support health-related legislation
*Seek funding
YRBS Measures Related to Violence
**Carried a weapon; carried a gun
*In a physical fight; injured in a physical fight
*ON SCHOOL PROPERTY
**Carried a weapon
**In a physical fight
**Threatened or injured with a weapon
*Had property stolen or damaged
*Did not go to school because of safety concerns
*Dating violence; forced to have sexual intercourse
YRBS Measures Related to Suicide
*Seriously considered suicide
*Made a suicide plan
*Attempted suicide
*Suicide attempt treated by a doctor or nurse
YRBS Measures Related to Alcohol
and Other Drug Use (1)
*Lifetime and current use of
**Alcohol
**Marijuana
*Cocaine
YRBS Measures Related to Alcohol
and Other Drug Use (2)
*Episodic heavy drinking
*ON SCHOOL PROPERTY
**Drank alcohol
**Used marijuana
**Offered, sold, or given an illegal drug
*BEFORE AGE 13
*Drank alcohol
*Tried marijuana
 Sample Optional Measures Related to
Violence and Drug Use
*ON SCHOOL PROPERTY
*Carried a gun
*Harassed or bullied
*Hit, punched, or kicked
*Cut or burn yourself on purpose
*Threatened or injured as a result of gang activity
*Use of painkillers, prescription drugs w/o doctor’s
prescription, over-the-counter drugs to get high
*Attended school under influence of alcohol or other illegal
drugs
Sample Optional Measures Related
to Protective Factors
*How often do parents:
*Talk to you about what you are doing at school?
*Ask where you are going or with whom you will be?
*Do you eat meals with family?
*Is there a teacher or other adult in school you can talk
to?
*Do you feel safe and secure at school?
*Do you feel like you belong at this school?
*Is harassment and bullying a problem at school?
Percentage of High School Students Who
Were in a Physical Fight on School Property,*
by Sex** and Race/Ethnicity,*** 2005
Percentage of High School Students Who Were in
a Physical Fight on School Property,* 1993 – 2005
Range and Median Percentage of High School
Students Who Were in a Physical Fight on School
Property,* Across 40 States and 21 Cities, 2005
Percentage of High School Students Who Were
Offered, Sold, or Given an Illegal Drug by
Someone on School Property,* by Selected States
Percentage of High School Students Who Did
Not Go to School Because of Safety Concerns,*
by Selected Large Urban School Districts
 Sample YRBS Articles Related to
Violence and Substance Use
*Violence-related behaviors among high school students
—United States, 1991-2003
*Substance use on school property among students
attending alternative high schools in the United States
*Effect of the incident at Columbine on students’
violence- and suicide-related behaviors
*Sexual activity and substance use among adolescents
by category of physical activity plus team sports
participation
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance
System Components
*National, state and local school-based YRBS
*National household-based YRBS
*National college YRBS
*National alternative high school YRBS
*Steps YRBS
*Special population YRBS
*Psychometric studies

School Health Profiles

School Health Profiles - Methods
*Conducted by state and local education and
health agencies
*Conducted biennially during the spring
*Systematic equal-probability sample of
secondary schools
*Questionnaires mailed to principal and lead
health education teacher
State and Local Participation in
School Health Profiles, 1998 – 2006
School Health Profiles 2006 – Sample
 Topics
*Health education topics, materials, policies, and teaching
methods
*Health-related staff development and professional
preparation
*Education and policies related to:
*HIV prevention
*Tobacco-use prevention
*Nutrition
*Physical activity
*Policies related to physical education and nutrition service
*Asthma management activities
Sample School Health Profiles
Measures
Related to Violence Prevention
*Closed campus
*Use of staff or adult volunteers to monitor hallways
*Routine bag, desk, or locker checks
*Require school uniforms, ID badges
*Use metal detectors
*Employ police or security guards during regular school
day
*Implement peer mediation program
Percentage of Secondary Schools That Provided
a Full-Time Registered Nurse All Day, Every Day
by Selected Large Urban School Districts, 2004
Percentage of Secondary Schools in Which
Students
Could Buy Chocolate Candy,* by Selected States,
2004