Richmond Results of the 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey

BC Adolescent Health Survey: Richmond Results ▪Background ▪Positive findings and trends ▪Areas of concern ▪Protective factors ▪Using the data

Administration 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey ▪29,832 surveys were completed ▪1,645 classrooms ▪56 school districts ▪325 PHN’s and nursing students Participation in Richmond

Youth in Richmond ▪50% of students reported East Asian heritage ▪25% of students reported European heritage ▪More likely to be born outside of Canada ▪Less likely to identify as straight

Home life ▪94% of students lived with at least one parent ▪2% currently in a foster home or group home ▪8% ran away from home in past year ▪23% moved from one home to another

Young carers

Health conditions and disabilities ▪Over a fifth of students had at least one health condition or disability ▪Females were 3 x more likely than males to report a mental health condition ▪For many the condition was debilitating

Working The percentage should be interpreted with caution as the standard error was higher than expected but still within a releasable range. Note: Not all differences between ages were statistically significant.

Technology ▪9 out of 10 students had a cellphone ▪Phone most commonly used for communicating with friends ▪Not having a cellphone was linked to: –School connectedness

Positive Findings and Trends

Most youth had seen a dentist in the past year 9% of students missed out on needed medical care Note: The difference between males and females who rated their health as fair was not statistically significant.

Some improvements in nutrition ▪More youth ate fruit and vegetables ▪62% ate traditional foods from their background ▪Fewer youth went to bed hungry

Breakfast

Risky sexual behaviour decreased Among those who had ever had sex:  25% first had sex at age 14 or younger  1% had ever been pregnant or caused a pregnancy  20% used drugs or alcohol last time they had sex

Fewer youth tried tobacco 14% had ever tried smoking Among those: ▪Youth waited longer to try smoking ▪Males more likely to use various tobacco products ▪40% were recent smokers Fewer youth were exposed to second-hand smoke

Marijuana use 17% had ever tried marijuana Among those: ▪Youth waited longer to try marijuana ▪6% used marijuana last Saturday ▪26% were regular users in past month ▪82% got marijuana from a youth outside their family

Using other substances 2013 Change since 2008 Prescription pills without a doctor’s consent 10% Ecstasy/MDMA 4% Cocaine4% Hallucinogens3% Mushrooms3% Inhalants 2% Amphetamines1% Heroin1% Steroids without a doctor’s consent1%

Injury prevention improvements

School safety increased

Friends with pro-social attitudes Note: NA means that the question was not asked. Students whose friends would be upset with them if they Change since 2008 Dropped out of school81%86% Were involved in gang activityNA85% Got pregnant or got someone pregnant70%81% Got arrested70%80% Beat someone up62%75% Used marijuana65%66% Got drunk43%85% -- The percentages in 2008 and 2013 were comparable.

Areas of ConcernAreas of Concern

Concussions ▪11% of youth experienced a concussion in past year

Abuse Note: The gender difference for physical abuse was not statistically significant. Note: Sexual abuse included being forced into sexual activity by another youth or adult, or being the younger of an illegal age pairing the first time they had sex.

Increase in serious injuries Note: The difference between 2003 and 2013 was not statistically significant.

Ratings of mental health

Suicide Males ▪6% considered suicide ▪3% attempted suicide Females ▪13% considered suicide ▪7% attempted suicide

Other mental health concerns Most commonly reported conditions MalesFemales Depression 4%10% Anxiety Disorder/ Panic Attacks 4%8% Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) 6%2%

Foregone mental health care ▪No improvement for males or females ▪Most common reason was not wanting parents to know ▪Males too busy to go

Getting enough sleep Note: The differences between males and females who slept for four hours or less or for seven hours were not statistically significant.

Mental health and sleep * The percentage should be interpreted with caution as the standard error was higher than expected but still within a releasable range.

Increases in some forms of bullying ▪Students more likely to be teased than in 2008 ▪Females more likely to be socially excluded than in 2008 ▪No change in cyberbullying

Perpetrators of bullying

Discrimination & violence ▪Increases in discrimination because of sexual orientation & physical appearance ▪Discrimination because of race, ethnicity, or skin colour higher than across BC ▪Dating violence similar to previous survey years

Alcohol use 35% had ever tried alcohol Among those: ▪30% had five or more drinks over a short period of time at least once in the past month ▪Youth waited longer to try alcohol

Overweight and obesity rates Note: The difference between males and females who were obese was not statistically significant.

Exercise participation decreased ▪11% of students aged met the daily activity recommendations ▪More older youth (aged 18 or 19) reached their guidelines ▪Participation in organized sports, informal sports, and dance and aerobics decreased from 2008

Barriers to participation Most common reasons for not participating in sports or other activities: –Being too busy –Could not get there or home –The activity was not available in their community –Could not afford to participate –Worried about being bullied

Protective FactorsProtective Factors

School connectedness Positive family relationships Caring adults outside the family Someone to turn to for help Established Protective Factors

Peer relationships Good nutrition Feeling engaged and valued Stable home Established Protective Factors

Nine or more hours of sleep Neighbourhood safety Community connectedness Cultural connectedness Protective Factors

There are many improving trends in the health of Richmond youth Mental health, bullying, and sleep are some areas of concern Promoting protective factors have and can continue to play a key role in improving outcomes for Richmond youth

56 school district data tables 16 HSDA reports Growing Up in BC Sexual health report Youth resources Using the Data

Discussing the results ▪Commentary on the AHS findings from: –Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, Representative for Children and Youth –Bob Lenarduzzi, President, Vancouver Whitecaps. –And more! ▪Video on McCreary’s YouTube channelVideo on McCreary’s YouTube channel

Next Steps ▪Youth-led projects or initiatives In Our Shoes ▪Bullying awareness video ▪

Grants up to $500 for youth-led projects

Richmond Results of the 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey