Estimating prevalence and reasons of risky behaviors using network scale up method in Shiraz city in 2017

 

Omid Dehnam¹, Ali Khani Jeihooni², Shaghayegh Vahdat³

 

 

Abstract              Objectives: Risky behaviors are referred to behaviors that endanger the physical, psychological and social health and wellbeing of people in the society. Studies have shown that several factors play role in creating dangerous behaviors in the age group of adolescents and youths, such as low self-confidence, inappropriate peers group, lack of interest and eager in education and training and encouraging trainings to risky behaviors, weak relation of parent-child, weak control of family and lack of family support, inappropriate social economic status, lack of suitable training and so on.  Methodology: The present study was conducted on three hundred 18-35-year-old persons from Shiraz in 2017. For collecting data, scholar-made information check lists were used. Also, for estimating prevalence of risky behaviors Stata software version 11 has been used. Chi-square test was used for comparing prevalence of risky behaviors in men and women. Results: The results of the present study with network scale up method showed that the highest prevalence of risky behaviors among 18-35 years old youths of Shiraz City is respectively consuming tobacco (31.25%) and alcohol (17.89%) and the least prevalence of risky behaviors is using psychedelics (1.77%). Also, the results of this study showed that the greatest reason of doing risky behaviors is first the peers pressure and then doing risky behaviors for enjoying and recreation. Discussion and Conclusion: Considering prevalence of risky behaviors, training healthy behaviors along with supplying appropriate bed and providing sufficient and up to date welfare facilities for the youth and also accurate identification of factors effective in tendency to risky behaviors in youths and also codifying plans relating to preventing and controlling these behaviors by authorized organizations is a necessary matter.

Key Words: Risky behavior, network scale up method, Shiraz.